Lakehead University Orillia honours outstanding students, faculty and community members at 2012 Convocation
(June 5, 2012 - Orillia, ON) Graduating students from Lakehead University's Orillia campus are preparing for a special day of celebration this Saturday, as the campus presents its largest convocation to date. Attendees can expect a standing-room only crowd, as up to 1,500 students, staff, faculty, and guests attend this year's convocation ceremony at Rotary Place (West Orillia Sports Complex) on University Avenue.
The ceremony will highlight the accomplishments of students, as well as members of the community. A total of 415 degrees will be awarded to 349 students (with some graduates receiving multiple degrees).
This year, an honorary degree will be awarded posthumously, a very rare honour, to the late Dr. Lloyd Dennis, who will be conferred a Doctor of Laws degree. An enthusiastic proponent for the establishment and growth of Lakehead University's Orillia campus, Dennis was well-known and respected for his outstanding contribution to education. He was a teacher, principal and co-author of the Hall-Dennis Report, which transformed education in Ontario. He had been offered and accepted this honour shortly before he passed away in March 2012.
Anderson Charters, longtime friend of Dennis and a member of the Lakehead Orillia Advisory Committee, will deliver the commencement address to graduands on behalf of Dennis.
Anderson will also be awarded the Civitas Award, given annually to a community member residing in Simcoe County who has made a significant contribution to the community and to Lakehead University. Anderson is being recognized for this outstanding leadership in the establishment of Lakehead University in Orillia. Past Civitas Award winners include: Paul Weber (2011); former mayor of Orillia, Ron Stevens (2010); Lloyd Dennis (2009); and Sue Mulcahy (2008).
Above all, this year's convocation will celebrate the accomplishments of Lakehead's students. Degrees will be conferred to students who have completed the Bachelor and Honours Bachelor of Arts & Science (HBASc,BASc), Bachelor of Education (BEd), Honours Bachelor of Social Work (HBSW), and Bachelor of Administration (BAdmin) programs.
The ceremony will highlight outstanding student achievements with special awards:
THE ORILLIA CAMPUS DEAN'S MEDAL
Awarded to the highest-ranking graduating student in the Honours Bachelor of Arts and Sciences and Bachelor of Arts and Sciences degree program ?
Elijah Howard Sellberg (HBASc)
DEAN BRAUN MEDAL
Awarded to the highest-ranking graduating student in the following program:
Bachelor of Administration - Charles Husband (BAdmin)
Honours Bachelor of Social Work - Jennifer Lynn Gordon (HBSW)
THE PRESIDENT'S AWARD
Award given annually to the graduating students who have occupied positions of responsibility in student organizations and who, by their activities and achievements, have earned the gratitude of the University
Jodi Lee Bernhardt-Gay (HBASc/BEd)
Dana Louise Shaughnessy (BASc/BEd)
LLOYD DENNIS AWARD ?Award given for outstanding citizenship presented to the full-time student selected by her fellows, the faculty and administration as contributing most to the welfare of the university through student activities?
Lana C Johnston (undergraduate)
Lakehead Orillia's convocation ceremony takes place at Rotary Place at the West Orillia Sports Complex, University Avenue, at 10 am on Saturday, June 9. Graduates, their families and friends are invited to enjoy refreshments immediately following the ceremony. The ceremony can be viewed online at 10 am on June 9 at: http://streaming.lakeheadu.ca/convocation/.
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Media: For more information contact Kathy Hunt, Lakehead Orillia Communications Officer at 705-330-4008 ext 2014 kjhunt3@lakeheadu.ca.