Mr. Chancellor. 

Graduands. 

Family. 

Friends. 

Faculty and staff. 

Distinguished guests.

I have a marvellous story to tell you, today.

It’s about how people — like today’s graduands; and places — like your University; grow, and change, and influence others.

This story starts with the little Technical Institute that could, and how it grew and changed to become the comprehensive, two-campus, TOP 10 Canadian University that did.

The Lakehead Technical Institute was bustling with students training for promising professional careers.

The little Institute would eventually grow and change into a College of Arts and Science.

As the graduates of that College went out into the world and fulfilled their dreams, so, too, did the people of Northwestern Ontario dream of a university of their very own.

Fifty years ago, on Canada Day 1965, their exceptional dream came true.

Now, around the same time that Northwestern Ontario’s dream came true, another dream had begun, right here in Orillia.

No one could have foreseen what would happen, decades later, that the little Institute that became a College before becoming a University would grow beyond the shores of Lake Superior and open a campus 1,265 kilometres away in the County of Simcoe — both campuses, by the way, are just off Highway 11.

Lakehead’s new home would become synonymous with excellence in inquiry-based learning and critical thinking.

In September 2006, Lakehead University Orillia’s Charter Class of 104 students began their studies at Heritage Place — right in the heart of downtown Orillia.

Barely four years later, our 500 University Avenue location opened its doors as the first campus in North America to be built entirely to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards.

Many of the people with us, today, were part of that exciting chapter of Lakehead’s story.

They were there for the groundbreaking ceremony, when members of the Rama First Nation welcomed members of the Lakehead community to this land.

Together, this small group of innovators gathered around a birch tree for a traditional blessing.

Since then, the birch tree — which you can see standing behind Simcoe Hall as you leave Rotary Place — has flourished.

This past week, students, faculty, and staff have returned there to plant gardens around this symbol of Lakehead Orillia:

• The Aboriginal Teaching Garden;
• The Three Sisters Garden; and
• The Community Garden.

That birch tree has grown and changed just as our campus continues to grow, to change, and to influence the world.

In 2010, Lakehead Orillia launched Canada’s first Interdisciplinary Honours Bachelor of Arts and Sciences degree in Environmental Sustainability.

In 2014, we founded the Research Centre for Sustainable Communities.

And, at this Convocation ceremony, we will be celebrating some more of Lakehead Orillia’s milestones:

• Our first cohort of Business Administration majors is about to graduate;
• Our first cohort of Criminology majors will also receive their degrees;
• And, at the graduate level, our first Master of Education student will walk across this stage.

Each of our graduands embodies our motto:  Ad Augusta per Angusta — Achievement through Effort. 

From the graduates of yesterday, to the graduates of today, we have grown Lakehead into a comprehensive university with 2 campuses, 10 faculties, and a proud reputation for exceptional teaching and research.

Together, we have changed this University’s vision, mission, and belief.

Together, this University has influenced communities and people across Canada and around the world.

Over the next 50 years, your University will continue to grow, continue to change, and continue to influence the world...

• By bridging academic excellence with accessibility to education;
• By continuing to embrace and foster diversity;
• By expanding our role as a leader in providing post-secondary education opportunities for Aboriginal Peoples;
• And by reaching out — with the help of our over 55,000 alumni around the world — to students of all ages, everywhere to come to Orillia, to live in Simcoe County, and to learn at Lakehead.

The Little Institute that could has grown and changed to influence the course of our world, and will continue to do so with each graduating class for generations to come.

Graduands, when we celebrate our Centennial Anniversary 50 years from now, know that we succeeded as an institution because you made us your University!

Today, we see you off on the start of your life’s journey.

Together, You will go on to become teachers, scientists, police officers, lawyers, business leaders, and decision-makers.

It is your turn to grow.

It is your turn to change.

It is your turn to influence the world.

Be exceptional. Be unconventional.

Them come back here, to our 100th anniversary convocation, and show us what you have become.

I know that we will be very proud.

Congratulations Class of 2015!