Jessica Hill choked up and could barely voice how much it means to her – and it’s only the first week of classes for the Leadership in Aboriginal Education program.
Alumni
Alumnus takes to international stage
Cecilia Bartoli’s homepage claims the renowned coloratura mezzo soprano brings classical music close to the hearts of millions. One of those belongs to Western alumnus Houman Behzadi. In August, he will be one of 15 international singers to study with his idol in Switzerland at the Gstaad Vocal Academy.
Sandy Kirkley receives Hall of Fame nod
Western alumnae Sandy Kirkley (MD’86) will be posthumously inducted into the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine’s (AOSSM) Hall of Fame July 8 during its Annual Meeting in California, honouring her work in the field of sports medicine.
IBM turns 100 with Western at helm
Bruce Ross, BESc’85, knew IBM inside and out long before IBM knew Bruce Ross.
Give at any level: Wolfe
Bernard Wolfe says in order to make the most of their lives, graduates need to continue both their vocational and humanistic education.
Keep learning and stay optimistic: Naylor
While a challenging and uncertain time, David Naylor also told graduates it is a period of huge promise that will offer wonderful opportunities and great adventures.
Stymiest: In-person human interaction important
The energy from those sitting in Alumni Hall was palpable, says Barbara Stymiest, looking around the room at what she described as future politicians, chief economists, social entrepreneurs, academic wunderkinds and leaders of all kinds.
Life is a learning journey: Mathur
Mohan Mathur made it clear to Western’s newest graduates that they are standing at the threshold of an important day in their lives, and whenever possible they should have the courage to lead and not follow.
Mediation offers good life lessons: Winkler
The ability to be a mediator is a skill that will not only help in law, but can also be used to enrich global culture and the value of a university education, says Ontario Chief Justice Warren Winkler.
Kielburgers: Use your gifts to help others
Take advantage of new opportunities to take action, no matter how small, and do it with great love to change the world for the better. This was the challenge presented by Free the Children founders Craig and Marc Kielburger to the graduating class from King’s University College.
Baran: Anything is possible with ‘good work ethic’
Mitch Baran says the achievement of his Western degree, along with the inspiration drawn from the memory of his parents, are validation he had the tools to overcome challenges in his younger years.
White asks grads to ‘share knowledge’
The secret to Mary Anne White’s success stems back to the friendships she forged and the lessons she learned 40 years ago when she started her academic career at The University of Western Ontario.
Newman calls on grads to seize ‘greatness’
Under the caps and gowns of today’s graduates stand the leaders of the most consequential generation in more than a century, says broadcast journalist Kevin Newman.
Donna Peterson and running the show
There was the year a student did a cartwheel across the stage. The time someone handed over a baby during the ceremony. Oh, and don’t forget the year there was a streaker.