The University College of the North (UCN) held convocation ceremonies at its campuses in Thompson and The Pas June 13 and June 15, recognizing more than 300 graduates and graduands who have reached the end of their time at the institution along with UCN president and vice-chancellor Konrad Jonasson, who oversaw his last convocations with his five-year term expiring at the end of the month and the search already on for a replacement.
Graduates were reminded to take pride in their accomplishments but also to expect more challenges in the future as they finish their formal education in Northern Manitoba, which is facing economic challenges now and in the near future.
Departing president Jonasson reminded graduates that their hard work is not yet over.
“The mandate of UCN is to serve the educational needs of aboriginal and Northern Manitobans and to enhance the economic and social well-being of Northern Manitoba,” Jonasson said. “UCN has completed the first objective. You as graduates of UCN will be instrumental in achieving the second objective of UCN. Our UCN graduates will be the catalysts, the means, the resources, the champions in order to accomplish and enhancement of the economic and social well-being of Northern Manitoba so you have a big responsibility as you go forward. ”
Faculty of Education dean David Williamson said the skills and knowledge that graduates obtained through their studies were needed to ensure a prosperous future for the province’s north, as was the ability to recognize that there is more to learn.
“In the north, we know the importance of industry in supporting communities but we live in a society where industry can only take us so far," Williamson said. "When economies stall, we must look to each other for support, for guidance, for learning. The strongest communities are built upon the shared knowledge of all people.”
Selkirk MLA Alan Lagimodiere, speaking on behalf of Premier Brian Pallister, Education Minister Ian Wishart and Thompson MLA Kelly Bindle, said the graduates would become some of Manitoba’s future leaders.
“Many people will look up to you and seek your leadership, vision and guidance in the future,” he said. “It’s important to take this experience that you have here today and to continue to learn on a daily basis.”
He also extended best wishes to Jonasson as his time with UCN comes to an end.
“I would like to thank the president for what he has done to provide and promote post-secondary education excellence in the north and I wish him well in the future," Lagimodiere said.
The final speaker before the presentation of degrees, certificates and diplomas was valedictorian Tamara Keeper, a Bachelor of Nursing student, who was secretary of the Thompson campus Student Association Council and took part in numerous other activities, from organizing the year-end pow-wow, planning activities for the Student Association Council winter festival and setting up a clothing drive for homeless people in Thomson.
Keeper, a member of Tataskweyak Cree Nation with Ojibwe and Dene roots, told the audience that she abstains from drugs, alcohol and smoking and participates in traditional activities, joking about how she practised her speech at the gravel pit north of town.
“I stood on the rock, I put out tobacco and I stood in front of the trees and as I finished my speech I think I did a good job because I got a standing ovation,” she said. “I’m not going to talk about how hard it was for me to get this degree because life is hard and I’m sure there are other students who struggled more than I did. I’m not going to list all the people who supported me because I’m sure I would forget someone. I’m not going to talk about my education because I believe that all our education is of equal value. Instead what I’m going to do while I’m in front of a microphone and being recorded for Facebook and have everyone listening, is to give thanks.”
She gave thanks to past graduates, teachers and elders, the beautiful day of the Thompson convocation, as well as family, friends and UCN staff and the community of Thompson and the graduates themselves for making success possible.
“And of course what kind of university student would I be if I didn’t take the time to thank Tim Hortons?” she said. “Thank you for all the large double-doubles, years of service and being open 24-7 even during snowstorms.”
Keeper closed her speech with a prayer for future graduates of UCN.
“May we one day be on this stage as your teachers and leaders and show you the same support that they have shown us,” she said. “May we one day be standing in your audience as your family, friends and staff and feeling the pride that they feel watching you succeed. May you one day be sitting in our seats feeling proud of your accomplishments, education and hard work. May we continue to come together as a community to celebrate the achievements of the University College of the North graduates and may we all remember to give thanks for all our blessings.”
