Convocation Highlights:
• 43rd Convocation
• 1,793 undergraduate degrees granted (including 12 diplomas)
• 90 graduate degrees – 10 Ph.D.s and 80 Masters degrees
• Five distinguished Canadians receive Honorary Degrees
• First graduates of the Materials Science M.Sc. program

During its 43rd convocation, Trent University honoured 1,883 members of the graduating class of 2010 over the course of five ceremonies on Wednesday, June 2; Thursday, June 3; and Friday, June 4.

Among this year’s undergraduate and graduate students receiving degrees and diplomas at the ceremonies is the largest class of graduate students in the University’s history and the very first graduate of the new Materials Science M.Sc. program.

Dr. Steven E. Franklin, Trent’s seventh president and vice-chancellor, and Dr. Tom Jackson, the University’s tenth chancellor, presided over their first convocation. They were both installed in September 2009.

Two ceremonies were held on Wednesday and Thursday at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. On Friday, one ceremony was held at 10 a.m. Over 100 volunteers, mostly University employees and retirees, lent a hand at this year’s convocation ceremonies.

Over the five ceremonies, degrees were presented to 1,781 undergraduate, 12 diploma and 90 graduate students. Ten Ph.D.s and 80 Masters degrees – 42 in the arts and 38 in the sciences – were granted, the largest class of graduate students in Trent’s history.

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, 58 per cent of graduates are female and 42 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, 21 per cent of all graduates are on the President’s Honour Roll.

A detailed breakdown of each convocation ceremony is as follows:

On Wednesday, June 2 at 10 a.m. degrees were conferred on all graduates in the following programs: Ancient History & Classics, Canadian Studies, Cultural Studies, English Literature, Geography, and History. Students receiving a Diploma in Canadian Studies will also be honoured. An honorary degree was conferred upon the Honourable Peter Adams, who addressed convocation. Also at this ceremony, Professor John Wadland was presented with the Eminent Service Award. Professors Emeriti James Neufeld, Colin Taylor and Andrew Wernick were also recognized.

On Wednesday, June 2 at 3 p.m., Bachelor of Education degrees were conferred. An honorary degree was conferred upon the Honourable William G. Davis, who addressed convocation.

On Thursday, June 3 at 10 a.m. Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees were conferred upon graduates in the following programs: Anthropology, Computer Science/Studies, Computing and Information Systems, Economics, Environmental & Resource Science/Studies, Global Studies, Globalization: Communities & Identities, Indigenous Studies, Indigenous Environmental Studies, International Development Studies, International Political Economy, Modern Languages & Literatures: French, German, Hispanic Studies, Philosophy, Politics, Sociology, and Women's Studies. Diplomas in Foundations in Indigenous Learning, Indigenous Environmental Studies, Indigenous Management & Economic Development, Kanyen'Keha (Mohawk) Language was also presented. An honorary degree was conferred upon Nancy Strickland, who addressed convocation. Also at this ceremony, Professor Paul Shaffer was presented with the Symons Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Distinguished Research Award was presented to Professor Douglas Evans. Professors Emeriti Franklin Garcia Sanchez, Jim Jury and Teobaldo Noriega were also recognized.

On Thursday, June 3 at 3 p.m. all Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees were conferred. Degrees were also conferred on all graduates in the following programs: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Biology, Chemistry, Chemical Physics, Computing Systems & Physics, Environmental Chemistry, Mathematics, Mathematical Computer Science, Mathematical Economics, Mathematical Physics, Physics & Astronomy and Psychology. An honorary degree was conferred upon Dr. John Mighton, who addressed convocation.

On Friday, June 4 at 10 a.m. Doctoral and Masters degrees were conferred upon graduates, as well as Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science and Bachelor of Business Administration. All graduates of Trent University in Oshawa programs were also recognized. An honorary degree was conferred upon Dr. Robert Glossop, who addressed convocation.

Green Initiatives

For the second year, several green initiatives designed to reduce the event’s impact on the environment will be part of Trent’s Convocation ceremonies, including:

Water Bottle-Free Convocation
By eliminating the use of commercial bottled water at the ceremonies, Trent will reduce 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. Graduates each received a take-home gift of a stainless steel water bottle which was filled with tap water for their use during the outdoor ceremonies.

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 also benefited guests by alleviating parking concerns on campus.

Green Pledge
To demonstrate their commitment to the environment, Trent students are also encouraged to take the Green Pledge, where they pledge to explore and take into account the social and environmental consequences of any job they consider and will try to improve those aspects of any organization for which they work. Graduates who take the Green Pledge wear a green ribbon on their gown. This initiative was started in 2005 and is coordinated by the student-run group Sustainable Trent. Last year, Trent boasted the highest number of graduates (50 per cent) in Canada who pledged to be socially and environmentally conscious.