UPEI congratulates record number of graduates at convocation 2013
*For a complete list of graduates, click here
A record 954 graduates were conferred with degrees, diplomas, and certificates as they crossed the stage at UPEI's convocation on Saturday, May 11.
The Class of 2013 and their proud families and friends gathered to celebrate in the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre for two ceremonies-the first beginning at 10:00 am and the second one at 2:30 pm.
Both events were led by Chancellor William Andrew and featured remarks by President and Vice-Chancellor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz.
Abd-El-Aziz challenged the graduates and said, 'As you begin this next stage of your life, you will choose a path. Ask yourself, ‘What is next?' and make sure you have a good answer! Be adventurous, define a goal, and boldly move towards it with the encouragement of those who care about you.'
Honorary degrees were conferred upon business leader and volunteer Fred Hyndman, humanitarian and community activist Marie Burge, science educator and entrepreneur Regis Duffy, and environmental expert and research Diane Griffin. Hyndman addressed the morning graduates while Duffy addressed the afternoon convocation.
During Hyndman's address, he asked graduates to be thankful for their former teachers and professors who have helped them reach this day. 'Certainly not all, but most of you graduating today are receiving your first degree. You must be excited, relieved, proud, and grateful. ‘How can I know?'' he asked them, 'Because I, too, am receiving my first degree and am excited, proud, and grateful.' Hyndman reminded graduates to embrace risk, 'for it is only by taking calculated risk that discoveries are made, that innovation occurs, that profits are earned, and the unknown is explored.'
Jason Cook, from Moncton, N.B. delivered the valedictory address in the morning, and Robert Hainsworth, of South River, Ont. delivered the address in the afternoon. Cook received his Bachelor of Education degree and was awarded the Faculty of Education Prize for an outstanding education student. Hainsworth was awarded his Bachelor of Arts degree during the afternoon ceremony.
While a number of prizes were awarded at events leading up to convocation, the Governor-General Medals were presented during the convocation ceremonies by the Honourable H. Frank Lewis, Lieutenant-Governor of PEI. The Governor General's Medal (graduate) was awarded to doctor of philosophy degree recipient Fernanda Dórea of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil during the morning convocation. During the afternoon convocation, the Governor General's Medal (undergraduate) was awarded to Bachelor of Science-Honours degree recipient John Paul Larkin. Larkin was also awarded The Polyclinic Prize for the student who has achieved the highest aggregate in the four years of an undergraduate program.
UPEI congratulates all degree, diploma, and certificate recipients!
