4 minute read
Welcome
Dear Graduates,
The world owes us nothing. We are the ones who are indebted to the world and to the people we are privileged to encounter, people in all walks of life, many of whom are regularly taken for granted or dismissed as being of lesser value or importance.
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The challenges and the opportunities that we have had should help us to appreciate the extent to which we depend on each other for the quality of life we all seek to enjoy. We accomplish very little entirely on our own.
The fact that you chose to pursue programs of study at this University suggests that you want to make a very special mark on our world. You want to help to Improve Life and to make the world a better, more caring, more just, place.
I hope you have a sense of what is possible. I want you to aspire to greatness. Most of all, I want you to make your lives matter because our world truly needs you to do that.
Congratulations! I wish you continued success. Please remain close to the University of Guelph. This will always be your alma mater. Be very proud of that.
Dr. Mary Anne Chambers O,Ont.
Chancellor
It is my great pleasure to congratulate you on your graduation from the University of Guelph. The entire U of G community could not be prouder of you for reaching this outstanding milestone, and we are delighted to be able to celebrate this moment with you, your graduating class and your supporters in person.
Throughout your time at U of G — and especially over the past two years — you have each met the challenges and opportunities you faced with bravery, creativity and compassion. I encourage you to rely on these same strengths and on those who have propelled you on your journey as you begin the next chapter of your lives.
As a Gryphon, you are a member of a community that strives for excellence, prioritizes inclusion, and that improves life for our own community and for communities around the world. Through your academic and extracirricular endeavours, you have contributed immensely to the University’s collective progress.
Today, you are joining a family of more than 195,000 graduates who are continuing to embrace the Gryphon spirit to make a meaningful difference in our world. However you choose to make that difference — and wherever your journey takes you next — I encourage you to stay connected with the University. We look forward to hearing about your next accomplishments, adventures and discoveries.
On behalf of all of us at U of G, congratulations once again. We wish you the very best for continued success.
Dr. Charlotte A. B. Yates
President and Vice-Chancellor
Congratulations and welcome to our University of Guelph alumni family! Graduation is a significant milestone in your life that you’ll never forget — one that took a lot of hard work, dedication, sacrifice and late nights.
Despite the obstacles that the last few years have thrown our way, one thing is clear: you achieved your goal! While we wish we could be with you in-person to share in your convocation, your new alumni family (more than 195,000 strong) celebrates your success with you!
We look forward to the day when you can attend your first alumni event with us. Whether it is Alumni Weekend, a reunion or a college event, we can’t wait to meet you. You are now a lifelong member of the UGAA and that means you have access to perks and privileges. Visit alumni.uoguelph.ca for more information.
As you set out on your next journey, we encourage you to stay connected with the University and fellow alumni so you will have a piece of U of G wherever you go. Your class will forever be known for its resilience and perseverance — qualities that will continue to serve you well. It is with great pride that I welcome you officially as a University of Guelph graduate, to our alumni community.
On behalf of the UGAA, I wish you all the best in your personal and professional endeavours — congratulations once again!
Christina Crowley-Arklie
Graduates, congratulations!
You have persevered through extraordinary challenges to reach this day and it is wonderful to be able to welcome you, your family, and friends to campus to celebrate your tremendous achievements. The dedication and resilience you have demonstrated as you worked to reach this milestone is inspirational. I know that your experiences at U of G have prepared you well to seize opportunities and tackle the challenges in front of you.
As I reflect on my own time at U of G, I am struck by how my experiences in university continue to shape my approach to life. Like many of you, when I started university, I didn’t have a clear idea of what I wanted to do after I graduated. My time at the University of Guelph helped me find a fulfilling career path, but more importantly, it instilled in me a love of lifelong learning that continues to inspire me to take on new challenges and explore new opportunities.
So even though you are marking the culmination of one academic journey, I hope that you will continue to ask big questions, engage with new ideas and test your intellectual limits. Now more than ever, the world needs people who can think broadly and engage with problems in innovative and collaborative ways.
On behalf of my colleagues on the Board of Governors, it is my honour to congratulate you and wish you every success in the future!
Shauneen Bruder
Chair, Board of Governors
