Years of studying and hard work paid off for hundreds of Athabasca University students who travelled from around the world to pick up their degrees at the institution ’s 40th annual convocation ceremonies from June 9 to 11.
Years of studying and hard work paid off for hundreds of Athabasca University students who travelled from around the world to pick up their degrees at the institution ’s 40th annual convocation ceremonies from June 9 to 11.
The institution calculated that about 450 graduates came to to pick up their degrees in person, filling the Athabasca Regional Multiplex with family and friends who hailed from all over the country and around the globe. ;
Many of the speakers and graduates noted Athabasca University ’s accessibility as the key to their success as students. ;
Interim university President Peter MacKinnon told the audience at Saturday ’s ceremonies that if you bring a desire to learn, the university will make sure you get that opportunity almost entirely online. ;
“When I look upon your faces today, I know many of you appreciated that AU was only a few mouse clicks away, whenever you were able to find some time to continue your studies, ” he said. “You don ’t come to us. You don ’t have to come to us. We come to you. ”
Honorary doctorates were awarded to writer, editor and director Antonio D ’Alfonso; AU distance education researcher and professor emeritus Terry Anderson; former board chair and public member of the Board of Directors Barry J. Walker; and oil sands business leader and chair of indigenous education organization Indspire, David Tuccaro.
Tuccaro, who grew up in Fort Chipewyan, received his honorary doctorate of laws. In his acceptance speech Saturday, he spoke about the accessibility of Athabasca University and how important that is, especially to Canada ’s remote Aboriginal communities. ;
“I still believe that education is the one gift that allows the youth in our community and my community access full time, good-paying jobs, ” Tuccaro said in his speech. “Once you get a university education, no one - no one can take that away from you. ”
Tuccaro also shared his message of resilience, talking about the countless times they will have to pull up their bootstraps as he has in his role as a business leader and resident of Fort McMurray.
“Resilience to me means being steadfast and holding onto your convictions, and never wavering in spite of the challenges and adversities life will throw at you, ” he said. “My advice to you is the same as that I ’ve told many MBA students - always keep your personal resilience tuned up and ready to perform when you need it. ” ;
He said his own resilience was put to the test after fires swept through Fort McMurray, where he and his family grew up, he built his business from the ground up, and some of his employees lost their homes.
“I ’ve been crystal clear-minded of one thing, ” he said. “No matter how successful you are, no matter how many bootstraps you ’ve been forced to pull up, no matter the number of obstacles you ’ve surmounted on your own, getting an education and reaping the aftermath of success, every now and then you must take a moment and remember that that is what has gotten you there in the first place. ”
Two graduates from the Athabasca area acknowledged their own success and getting through their degree was done with support from those around them.
In a brief biography that was read as she accepted her Master of Business Administration, Cheryl Christensen of Colinton - who is also an Athabasca University employee - noted that without the generous support from the university and from her parents, she could not have completed the program.
In the biography read as university employee and former Athabasca resident Carla Yeaman picked up her Master of Business Administration, Yeaman noted that her greatest memories were formed during the in-residence courses, where she was able to meet with fellow students and coaches in person and form a support network.
