AVC Class of 2021 celebrate achievement at White Coat ceremonies
AVC’s Class of 2021 celebrated their entry into the profession of veterinary medicine on Saturday, March 13, during their White Coat Ceremony and Awards Presentation, which was held during two socially distanced events.
The members of the class received white lab coats monogrammed with their names, symbolizing their transition from students to veterinary professionals. Dr. Jamie Pearson won the prestigious R.G. Thomson Academic Achievement for the highest cumulative grade average for all courses taken during the four-year program.
Dr. Greg Keefe, dean of AVC, acknowledged the adversity that all students, faculty, and staff had undergone due to the COVID-19 pandemic, having to adjust very quickly to new ways of teaching, learning, working, and indeed living.
“No group had more challenges than the Class of 2021.You showed incredible poise and resilience. I foresee that the Class of 2021 will be among AVC’s most accomplished.”
He thanked the students’ families and friends and the AVC community for supporting the students during their four-year program, especially in the past year.
Dr. Leigh Lamont, associate dean of academic and student affairs, emceed the awards presentation and led a toast to the class. She outlined the unprecedented challenges of the past year, ranging from having to suddenly adjust to online learning and rotations to dealing with travel restrictions and two-week quarantine periods.
“You have exemplified adaptability and perseverance and what it means to have true grace under pressure, and I know I speak on behalf of our entire faculty and staff at AVC when I say that I feel privileged to call you my colleagues.”
Because of COVID-19, the University of Prince Edward Island will not hold in-person Convocation ceremonies. This is the second consecutive year that in-person Convocation ceremonies could not be held. On Friday. May 14, Dean Keefe will emcee a virtual “Presentation of Graduates” for the Classes of 2020 and 2021, during which the graduates from each class will be acknowledged. The virtual event will premiere at 10 a.m. (ADT) on May 14 on UPEI’s YouTube channel.
