• Coverage of Trent's Convocation Ceremonies can be viewed here.
During its 44th Convocation, Trent University honoured 1,699 members of the 2011 graduating class, over the course of five ceremonies on Wednesday, June 1; Thursday, June 2; and Friday, June 3 on Symons campus.
Dr. Steven E. Franklin, Trent’s seventh president and vice-chancellor, and Dr. Tom Jackson, the University’s tenth chancellor, presided over the Convocation ceremonies.
Two ceremonies were held on Wednesday and Thursday at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. On Friday, one ceremony was be held at 10 a.m. All ceremonies took place outdoors in the University Court of the Bata Library on the Symons Campus. Over 100 volunteers, mostly University employees and retirees, lent a hand at this year’s Convocation ceremonies.
Graduating in 2011 were 1,612 undergraduate, four diploma and 87 graduate students. 11 Ph.D.s and 76 masters’ degrees – 43 in the arts and 33 in the sciences – were granted.
Also during the ceremonies, the Governor General’s Gold Medal was presented to the graduate student with the highest standing and the Silver Medal was presented to the undergraduate student with the highest standing. In addition, four Symons Medals and two Bagnani Medals were presented to undergraduate students who have achieved high academic standing in their programs. The President’s Medal was awarded to three outstanding graduate students. During the ceremonies, five distinguished Canadians will receive honorary degrees.
Statistics from the Office of the Registrar for undergraduate studies show that 68 per cent of graduates are female, while 32 per cent are male. At the graduate level, 59 per cent of graduates are female and 41 per cent are male.
All undergraduate students graduating with a cumulative average of at least 80 per cent are named to the president’s honour roll. This year, 20 per cent of all graduates were on the president’s honour roll.
A detailed breakdown of each convocation ceremony is as follows:
On Wednesday, June 1 at 10 a.m. degrees were conferred on all graduates in the following programs: Ancient History & Classics, Canadian Studies, Cultural Studies, English Literature, History, Indigenous Studies, and Indigenous Environmental Studies. Students receiving a Diploma in Foundations in Indigenous Learning were also honoured. An honorary degree was conferred upon Mr. Rick Beaver, who addressed convocation. Also at this ceremony, Professor Gordon Johnston was presented with the Eminent Service Award & Professor Emeritus.
On Wednesday, June 1 at 3 p.m., Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Arts, Master of Science, Forensic Science, Business Administration, Joint-Major Degrees with Business Administration, Joint-Major Degrees with Forensic Science were conferred. All graduates of Trent University Oshawa Thornton Road Campus programs were also recognized. An honorary degree was conferred upon Sandra Laronde, who also addressed convocation. Ms. Winnie Janzen was presented with an Eminent Service Award.
On Thursday, June 2 at 10 a.m. Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees were conferred upon graduates in the following programs: Anthropology; Ecological Restoration; Economics; Environmental and Resource Science/Studies; Geography; Globalization: Communities and Identities; International Development Studies; International Political Economy; Modern Languages and Literatures: French, German & Hispanic Studies; Philosophy; Politics; Sociology and Women’s Studies. An honorary degree was conferred upon The Right Honourable Kim Campbell. Also at this ceremony, Professor Stephen Hill was presented with the Symons Award for Excellence in Teaching. Professors Emeriti Roy Hagman and John Topic was also recognized.
On Thursday, June 2 at 3 p.m. Degrees were conferred on all graduates in the following programs: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Biology; Chemistry; Chemical Physics; Computer Science/Studies; Computing and Information Systems; Computing Systems and Physics; Environmental Chemistry; Mathematics; Mathematical Computer Science; Mathematical Economics; Mathematical Physics; Physics & Astronomy; and Psychology. An honorary degree was conferred upon Ms. Lauren Woolstencroft. An Eminent Service award was presented to Mr. Tony Storey and Professor Emeritus Al Slavin was recognized.
On Friday, June 3 at 10 a.m. Degrees were conferred upon graduates from the Trent-Fleming School of Nursing and the School of Education and Professional Learning. An honorary degree was conferred upon Mr. Craig Kielburger. Ms. Kate Ramsay was presented with an Eminent Service Award and Dr. Bryan Palmer was presented with a Distinguished Research Award.
Green Initiatives
For the third year, several green initiatives designed to reduce the event’s impact on the environment were part of Trent’s Convocation ceremonies, including:
Water Bottle-Free Convocation
By eliminating the use of commercial bottled water at the ceremonies, Trent reduced the negative environmental and social impacts of 5,000 single-use water bottles, which have been consumed at previous ceremonies. In lieu of bottled water, the University set up a water station at an Information Table to provide tap water in recyclable or biodegradable cups to all guests of Convocation.
Free Passes for Peterborough Transit
In addition to the bottle-water free initiative, graduates and their families were actively encouraged to reduce emissions by travelling, free of charge, on Peterborough Transit to and from the ceremonies. This option will also benefit guests by alleviating parking concerns on campus.
Posted on Sunday, May 29, 2011.