The CAMROSE BOOSTER, June 14, 2022 – Page 26
Convocation brimming with pomp and ceremony By Lori Larsen
On June 5, the University of Alberta Augustana Campus held the Spring 2022 Convocation with an in-person ceremony celebrated with pageantry so deserving of the students. Presiding over the ceremony was University of Alberta chancellor Peggy Garrity. Chancellor Garrity opened the ceremony by welcoming honoured guests, students, university staff, family and friends. “As you are participating in today’s ceremony, you are walking in the footsteps of many generations of students. Each of the traditions you see on this stage and throughout this ceremony today have special meaning. “These symbols and traditions remind us of our connection to the past. But seeing your faces today and conferring your degree is all about the future, about your futures and the futures you will create for our communities and the world.” Board of Governors representative Andrei Tabirca brought greetings and congratulations to students on behalf of the Board. “Collectively and cooperatively, you will be the generation that moves society forward in the arts, economy, knowledge, discovery and research.” University of Alberta president and vice chancellor professor Bill Flanagan expressed a warm welcome to the honourary degree recipient, guests in the audience and the graduating class of 2022.
Lori Larsen, Camrose Booster University of Alberta president and vice chancellor professor Bill Flannagan addresses grads and attendees.
“It is all of you who we are here to celebrate today. What you have accomplished takes fortitude and commitment and determination to persevere even in the face of formidable odds and often overwhelm-
ing workloads. And that is the journey experienced by a typical university degree recipient. Your journey, by contrast, has been anything but typical. You have had to earn your degrees during unprecedented global conditions during the past two years. “On behalf of the University of Alberta, I want to offer our profound appreciation to each and every one of you. Throughout the many changes and challenges of the last two years, you have been quick to adapt–resilient. You have demonstrated your commitment to doing all we can to keep one another safe.” In speaking of the many significant accomplishments of the University of Alberta, Flannigan concluded, “Our most significant impact is represented by all of you here today–our exceptional students. Undoubtedly, the University’s most significant contribution to society and the world is the remarkable talent of our graduates, and all the incredible things you will do as you embark on this next chapter of your lives.” University of Alberta Augustana Campus dean Demetres Tryphonopoulos presented an Honourary Degree of Doctor of Laws– the university’s highest honour–to Dr. Brian Wildcat, welcoming him amidst a class of outstanding previous recipients. “Brian Wildcat has been dedicated to improving Indigenous education in Maskwacis for more than 30 years,” reported Tryphonopoulos. “Brian’s leadership was instrumental in the creation of Maskwacis Education Schools Commission (MESC), which was launched in September 2018. Today, MESC holds responsibility for 11 schools, 2,200 students and 450 employees.” Tryphonopoulos explained that the vision of MESC is to foster competent, confident and resilient Maskwacis Cree-speaking k i sk i nwa h a m a ko s owa k (students). “Throughout his life, Brian’s mother and father reinforced the importance of education. Beginning with his mother, the first teacher from Maskwacis, three generations of his family have graduated from the University of Alberta.” Brian himself, attended Augustana (Camrose Lutheran College at the time) from 1976 until 1979. In a ceremony befitting the remarkable achievements of Dr. Wildcat, he was presented with the University of Alberta Honourary Degree of Doctor of Laws hood, conferred by dean Tryphonopoulos. “My work has been shaped by the belief that
Lori Larsen, Camrose Booster Honourary degree recipient Brian Wildcat, second to left, is congratulated by University of Alberta chancellor Peggy Garrity, standing right.
First Nations schools play a critical role in the improvement of Indigenous education,” said Wildcat. “I have been fortunate to have been mentored by many different leaders and to have been part of a successful leadership team. I was mostly influenced by my parents who taught me leadership and community service.” Wildcat related stories about the success of his parents, despite difficult challenges and experiences in his life, including a trip to scale the summit of Pico de Orizaba in Mexico, which taught him not only resilience, but the sense of accomplishment that doing something difficult is worth the planning and preparation. “These outdoor adventures and adversities my parents overcame taught me lessons about leadership that I still carry with me today. Get yourself ready first, then help others. Be well prepared, have a good plan, take risks under the right conditions and at the right time. Learn to cope with stressful situations. Stay focused on logistics and learn to reflect from your experiences.” Wildcat summarized the formation of MESC and expressed appreciation to all his colleagues and everyone who helped in the development of MESC. “This degree belongs to them as well. My work is the product of their work, and together we imagine with Cree-speaking children who are happy and successful.” Wildcat also thanked his wife Pam and family for their continual support and
the University of Alberta for the honour bestowed upon him. He congratulated the class of 2022 and wished them all the best. “Now go out there and make this world a better place.” Rounding up the ceremony was the presentation of and conferring of degrees as individual students crossed the stage and were greeted by dean Trypho-
nopoulos, chancellor Garritty, president Flanagan and Board of Governor representative Tabirca. The afternoon ceremony concluded with congratulatory remarks from president Flanagan, a welcome to the Alumni Association by Matthew Hebert, and concluding remarks from dean Tryphonopoulos.
Lori Larsen, Camrose Booster University of Alberta Bachelor of Arts Degree recipient Bree Urkow, left, is greeted by University of Alberta Augustana Campus dean Demetres Tryphonopoulos during the ceremonial presentation of graduates.
