Thunder Bay — Ceremony #3

Saturday, June 3, 2017 (Afternoon)

Madame Chancellor.

Family.

Friends.

Faculty and staff.

Distinguished guests.

Graduands.

Today, we celebrate your achievements.

Today, we celebrate your transformation.

After years of work, years of thought and study, years of effort and success, and after times of tears and laughter, you will walk across the stage, shake the hand of our chancellor, and receive your degree or diploma.

You came to this university of one person. You leave as another.

Welcome to the next chapter of your life's journey.

Your education and experience at Lakehead has transformed you.

But the real magic happens when those who have been changed by our university have an impact on society.

Changed through learning is at the heart of education.

Improving our community is at heart of service create

Transforming our world is that the heart of citizenship.

You have been transformed, and, in turn, you will transform others.

You will change our world. You will make our world better.

As President of Lakehead University, I am continuously impressed by what can be accomplished when people from within the hour province, across our country, and around the world — with different beliefs, languages, and cultures — come here to learn, to teach, to work, and to live together.

We cannot help but be changed by that experience.

And by been changed — by exploring whole new worlds of knowledge — each of you, intern, can and will transform everything around us by going into the world and contributing to communities in your own unique ways.

I have seen you do remarkable things for those in need:

Third-year English students in Professor Scott Pound's Life Writing course worked with hospice volunteers to help people receiving end-of-life care reflect on their life experience. Moments in their lives were captured in narrative form and this written record was given to clients to share with their families.

Aboriginal Awareness Center coordinator Clyde Moonias won a Lakehead Leader Award for community engagement for his Stand Out campaign that targeted racism and negative stereotypes of Indigenous peoples.

And Nicholas Bel, a 3rd-year Honors Bachelor of Science in Applied Bio-molecular Science student, is now the director of Superior Science, a science literacy program for children in grades 1-8.

Graduands, you have all shown us that integrity and compassion are at the core of what it means to be a Lakehead University student.

Now you can show us what it is to be a Lakehead University alumni.

It is you who continue to build and contribute to Lakehead's proud reputation.

You have all proven that education is the most potent tool we can use to change ourselves and our communities, as well as to create a peaceful and prosperous society.

But while changer is at the heart of education, what does education actually do?

Education empowers.

Education empowers by opening our minds and opening doors.

Education empowers by leading us to more opportunities and choices.

And, education and powers by creating change-makers.

Graduands, you have been shaped by education and by your experience at Lakehead University.

You were challenged.

You were tested.

Now, you are transformed.

Congratulations, class of 2017!