BU graduates ready for ‘great things’

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This article was published 31/05/2024 (481 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Brandon University celebrated the graduation of 316 students during the first day of its annual convocation ceremonies on Thursday at the Healthy Living Centre.

The morning ceremony for the Faculty of Science and School of Music was filled with joy and applause as parents, families and friends honoured the achievements of the Class of 2024.

BU president David Docherty expressed his delight at the success of the graduates, adding it is also a time to recognize the people who helped them achieve this milestone.

“I believe our graduates will do great things because they are very dedicated individuals,” he told the Sun. “We have graduates in science who will help address critical issues, and we have graduates in music who will inspire us emotionally and intellectually. We also have educators, those in health care, followed by graduates in the humanities and social sciences graduating.”

Docherty described the graduates as a wonderful combination of individuals and said they give him great faith that despite the challenges ahead, they are a generation that is well-equipped to make a significant impact.

“We’re very proud of our Faculty of Health Studies, which graduates many nurses who will be out, ready to address health-care challenges. We’re happy to play a small part in this by providing excellent training to our nursing graduates,” he said.

In his address, Docherty reflected on the unique journey of the students, noting that depending on when they arrived on campus, their orientation experience may have been physical or virtual.

He said that regardless of how it began, it was filled with limitless possibilities. Over the past few years, he added, students had successfully navigated through campus life, part-time jobs, possibly full-time jobs, courses, classes, roommates, friends and family, culminating in their presence at the convocation.

Docherty praised the resilience of the students, singling out those in music and science.

“Music graduates, I know how hard you’ve worked and embraced opportunities. When the pandemic lockdown was lifted, it was a music concert at the School of Music in Centennial Auditorium that made us feel human again,” he told the audience.

“Music has the power to make us introspective and expressive.”

The science graduates, he said, will be doing critical work in understanding the processes that underpin our world.

“Through science,” he said, “we uncover beauty and complexity.”

Science valedictorian Julie Van Den Bussche, who graduated with an honours bachelor of science degree and a major in psychology, expressed her excitement and gratitude.

“I am thrilled that we can all be here to celebrate this big day. It took years of hard work and dedication to reach this milestone, and we should be proud of our achievements,” she said.

Van Den Bussche highlighted the challenges and triumphs of returning to campus after the pandemic and thanked friends, family, professors and fellow students for their support.

“Today, as you think about your to-do lists and plans, take a moment to enjoy this day. Reflect on the many accomplishments that brought you here,” she told the graduates. “We’ve overcome obstacles and worked hard to reach this point, and deserves recognition.”

Music valedictorian Faith Colobong emphasized the unique experiences of their class.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is an undeniable part of our story. Masks, plexiglass and a sense of disconnection have defined our recent years,” she said. “For musicians, who thrive on connection, this was especially challenging. However, despite these obstacles, I believe our graduating class is extraordinary. Our experiences over the past few years have fostered a deep sensitivity and understanding of what it means to be human.”

Colobong expressed her appreciation for the dedication of the teachers and the support from family and friends. She congratulated the graduating class of 2024, emphasizing the collective hard work that had brought them to this point and acknowledging that they were celebrating their achievements together.

The afternoon ceremony was for graduates from the faculty of education.

Education valedictorian Robert Dinsdale focused on the future responsibilities of the teachers who were graduating, and their future students.

“It is so easy to get caught in the ‘process’ of educating. Plan, teach, mark, write report cards — rinse and repeat,” he said. “As educators, we need to remember our students are more than a process, or number. They are the most valuable resource we have in society. Our students are the individuals who will shape the future.”

At the morning ceremony, the university also presented Phyllis Webstad, the originator of Orange Shirt Day and the Every Child Matters movement, with an honorary doctor of education degree.

Webstad spoke about the ongoing legacy of the Canadian residential school system, and paused for a moment of silence in memory of the Brandon Indian Residential School.

“This is a call to action for all Canadians and for you, to view the residential school system and the effects of colonialism as a Canadian issue — not an Indigenous issue,” she said. “You have already demonstrated hard work and perseverance in achieving this tremendous milestone and I am confident that we can work together towards a future of reconciliation.”

Today’s ceremonies honour students from the faculty of health studies and the faculty of arts.

This year’s number of BU graduates totals 563 students.

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