THUNDER BAY CAMPUS — CEREMONY #2

Saturday Morning (May 31, 2014)

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Today, we are celebrating Lakehead University’s 50th convocation.

Turning 50 is a momentous occasion – a time to reflect on who we are and what we have accomplished. Over the last half century, our students have infused this school with a youthful spirit. And as we reach this new milestone, Lakehead is being energized by a multiplicity of ideas and cultures.

Our students converge on Thunder Bay from Northwestern Ontario, the GTA, from across Canada and around the world. They come from every conceivable background; each carrying their unique aspirations. 

We have one of the largest populations of Brazilian students in the ‘science without borders’ program in the country; over 1,200 of Lakehead’s student are from the original peoples of this land; and many students them are the children or grandchildren of immigrants who sought a better life.

Increasingly, those who choose Lakehead arrive from other countries.

I count myself among them.

I was born in Canada but raised in Mexico, the home of my mother’s family. Spanish was my first language. When I returned to Canada at the age of 16, it was a huge culture shock.

I lived the immigrant experience of most new Canadians – I missed the comforting landmarks of my childhood, the familiar food, and the easy laughter of my relatives.

What got me through this?

The support of my family and the creation of a second family – one woven together of fellow students, friends, educators, and mentors. 

I began to realize that having an international perspective was an incredible asset —one that enriched me and gave me the skills to adapt to changing situations.

My story reminds me of a Bachelor of Education student who is graduating today.

Her family immigrated to Canada from Peru when she was 18. She completed grade 12 here while grappling with a foreign language and customs.

It was not easy.

But her inner strength, dedication, and the help of her teachers allowed her to find her place. She has become known for her sensitivity to the needs of children.

Her ability to confront difficult circumstances head-on is characteristic of Lakehead students – whether they are from Brazil or Brampton, Sioux Lookout or Saudi Arabia, or any of the 46 nations that give our student population such diversity; a diversity that reflects Lakehead University’s strategy to reach out to the world.

We recognize that global collaboration is essential to Canada’s well-being and to the future of our children. After all, 40% of our Gross Domestic Product depends upon exports.

As countries have become united by the need to foster environmental and economic sustainability, education has become a vital currency.

These are compelling reasons to ensure that Lakehead students can navigate with confidence in these swiftly evolving times.

And we are succeeding.

More and more of our Education graduates are seeking careers overseas in Europe and Asia and Lakehead recently entered into a partnership with Maple Leaf Schools – China’s largest private international school system.

Maple Leaf approached us with this venture because they are impressed by our track record. By our students’ training, their embrace of different cultures, and their willingness to stick to their commitments.

Our faculty and graduate and undergraduate students are engaged in innovative research endeavours.

With $22.5 million in research dollars last year, and eleven specialized research centres and laboratories — including a world-class Paleo-DNA Laboratory — Lakehead students have phenomenal choices.

In fact, Lakehead was declared the number one university in Ontario for research intensity, and number two in Canada, for universities of our size in the annual ranking of Canada’s Top 50 Research Universities.

Lakehead University’s research reputation is one of the reasons why the number of international students has skyrocketed from 100 students when I arrived, to almost 500 this year. And within three years, international students will make up 10% of our student population. 

Our English Language Program is helping international students transition to university studies in a safe environment where outdoor adventure and cosmopolitan culture exist side by side.

Students are drawn to our small class sizes, their one-on-one interaction with professors, and an emphasis on how to think, not what to think, because they understand that this will lay the foundation for a promising career.

Students like Zahid Hasan, who left Dubai to travel halfway around the globe and complete his Honours Bachelor of Commerce here.

Zahid, or “Zee” as everyone calls him, encapsulates what international students bring to this school. He has thrown himself into the Lakehead experience, managing to balance academics with campus activities.

Zee joined the Student Success Centre’s Leadership Experience And Development program, the Muslim Students Association; he became the president of the Lakehead Cricket Club and the South Asian Students Association; and he’s also a Student Assistant with Lakehead University International.

Zee is always there to offer a welcoming smile and make you feel at home. His deep community spirit makes us proud. 

The Faculty of Business Administration attracts talented international students of Zahid’s calibre by having the vision to see what it takes to thrive in the 21^st century. Dr. Bahram Dadgostar, our Dean of Business Administration, has developed an MBA Qualifying Program and scholarships for international students.

He’s also been one of the leaders in creating new opportunities for domestic students to study outside of Canada. We want all Lakehead students to be citizens of the world, to allow our common humanity to connect us. That’s why we have dramatically expanded our number of exchange programs.

Lakehead students now have the chance to study in Italy, Korea, Singapore, Australia, Finland, Sweden, and many other countries. And earlier this year, Lakehead signed a historic agreement with three Mexican Indigenous universities that will enable students and faculty to flow back and forth between Canada and Mexico and engage in exceptional academic programming and research.

Leaving behind everything that is familiar, to study or work abroad is both an exhilarating and an overwhelming prospect. You sometimes doubt your decision, but the benefits are more than worth it.

Fresh perspectives, cultures, and landscapes allow us to challenge and transcend fixed notions.

The renowned writer Richard Wagamese, whom we are honoured to confer a Doctor of Letters, today, once expressed how a new environment stimulates his creativity when he said, “That’s the wonderful thing about the world and about this country. It has the power to re-introduce you to itself and teach you things about yourself you never knew before.”

This is what I wish for each of the graduands here today.

Congratulations to you all!