This yearB次元官网网址檚 graduates of the University of the Fraser Valley were feted on campus, the first time in more than a decade that convocation was held on home turf.
There were six separate convocation ceremonies held at the athletic centre gymnasium in Abbotsford from June 13 to 15. In total, the UFV graduating class of 2023 was 2,349 B次元官网网址� although not all attended ceremonies.
The university also achieved a very significant milestone over the course of convocation. UFV now has more than 50,000 alumni, just in time for its 50th anniversary, coming up in 2024.
Acting President James Mandigo welcomed visitors to UFV, noting that for time immemorial the St贸:l艒 people have been the stewards of the land on which the university is located.
He congratulated the grads on their achievement, but noted that graduating is only the beginning of their journey.
B次元官网网址淓ducation is not about the acquisition of the piece of paper that you will receive on stage today. It is about all the potential that piece of paper represents for you, your family, your community, and to our planet,B次元官网网址� he said.
Mandigo noted that all graduates have mastered skills and knowledge specific to their craft, but also other essential skills such as active listening, public speaking, critical thinking, and decision making.
B次元官网网址淭oday we not only celebrate your achievements with you, but we also wait in anticipation of the great potential you will bring to being change makers in the world.B次元官网网址�
Student speakers addressed the grads at each of the six ceremonies.
B次元官网网址淭he myth of perfection says you will be happy and fulfilled if you make no mistakes, if everyone likes you, if you never fail. But hereB次元官网网址檚 the thingB次元官网网址� perfection is impossible,B次元官网网址� said Kyla Mitchell-Marquis, who earned a bachelor of arts with a psychology (honors) minor.
B次元官网网址淚 know you will have successes. Great ones! But the reality is, at some point, you will fail. You will make a mistake because youB次元官网网址檙e human. One of the greatest lessons I have learned is that when you allow yourself the space to fail youB次元官网网址檙e making room for yourself to grow.B次元官网网址�
Jon Botti, who earned a bachelor of integrated studies, is an established businessman who earned a second degree because of his interest in food security. He shared advice gleaned from his life and career.
B次元官网网址淔irst, if you create value, resources will flow to you. Money, people, networks, and ideas. Focus on creating value,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淪econdly, B次元官网网址榞ivers getB次元官网网址�. Build your networks. Feed your networks with your talents and energy. Thirdly, B次元官网网址榯ake no for starters.B次元官网网址� We all encounter lots of noB次元官网网址檚. Take no for starters and embrace it as a maybe. Your grit, your resilience, and your determination will help you turn maybes into yesses. Believe in you. Trust your network and get into motion. Be open and aware to unexpected opportunities. Enjoy your own wild journey.B次元官网网址�
Sydney Plante, who earned a bachelor of science with a physics major, referred to the recent crisis-filled years during which the class of 2023 attended university.
B次元官网网址淥ur graduating class is resilient. The world has shifted and changed since we started here. WeB次元官网网址檝e had pandemics, floods, global political movements, heat domes, and wars. Nothing could have prepared us for all that. But despite the bumps and obstacles, here we are.
B次元官网网址淭he grad class of 2023 is writing history,B次元官网网址� she continued. B次元官网网址淥ne day when our grandkids learn about the 2020s theyB次元官网网址檒l ask us how we did it. How did we keep up the motivation, the focus? How did we preserve our dreams when the whole world was falling apart? The answer to that question? Simple. We rose to the challenge. No matter what was thrown at us, we didnB次元官网网址檛 back down.B次元官网网址�
Rut Castillo, who earned a BA in adult education, came back to post-secondary education after suffering a stroke at the age of 30, and studied from a distance while raising three young daughters.
B次元官网网址淢y studies gave me the insight I was looking for,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 am happy to report that I was always successful. Even without a degree. Success can only be determined by oneself. Societal standards and expectations of others should not dictate what success means for the individual. That can only be determined by me. And by you!B次元官网网址�
Gurneesh Purba earned a bachelor of kinesiology. He told his class of future health care professionals that they need to practise self-care too.
B次元官网网址淏eyond your academic achievements, your journey has been much more. ItB次元官网网址檚 been a journey of personal growth, resilience, and compassion. WeB次元官网网址檝e learned that healing extends beyond the physical realm and encompasses emotional, mental, and spiritual health,B次元官网网址� he said.
Trisha Kumar, who earned a bachelor of business administration, urged her classmates to use their education to improve society, and noted that along with the successes celebrated at convocation, everyone encountered challenges along the way.
B次元官网网址淵our path is not only paved by your successes but also your failures. The things we donB次元官网网址檛 put on plaques or add to our LinkedIn profile,B次元官网网址� Kumar said. The exams we bombed. The presentations we fumbled on. By leveraging our education, we have the power to bridge gaps, break down barriers, and create a more inclusive and equitable society.B次元官网网址�
Several awards and medals were presented over the course of the six ceremonies.
The Governor GeneralB次元官网网址檚 Gold Medal for top student in a masterB次元官网网址檚 degree program went to Celina ten-Boemer of Chilliwack, who earned a master of education. The Governor GeneralB次元官网网址檚 Silver Medal for top bachelorB次元官网网址檚 degree student went to Ravneet Sohal, who completed a bachelor of kinesiology. The Governor GeneralB次元官网网址檚 Bronze Medal for top student from a two-year program went to Rohan Sagar of Abbotsford, who earned a business administration diploma. The Lieutenant GovernorB次元官网网址檚 Medal went to Lisa Doell of Chilliwack, who earned a bachelor of fine arts degree.
DeanB次元官网网址檚 Medalists were Levi Bailey (Education, Community, and Human Development), Maria Paula Eraso (Science), Greg Luesink (Health Sciences), Nitish Jaswal (Business and Communication), Jose Klautau Toffoli (Applied and Technical Studies), Sarah Brown (Humanities) and Tyler Falk (Social Sciences).
UFV presented honorary doctorates to four Canadians who have made a significant contribution to their field and Canadian society: Dr. Bonnie Henry, NaxaxalhtsB次元官网网址檌 Albert B次元官网网址楽onnyB次元官网网址� McHalsie, Mike Retasket, and Dr. Judith Soon.
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