Fall Convocation

November 12, 2009

U of C president attends his final convocation

Violinist, human rights leader, astronaut and fall graduates are celebrated

Barry Shiffman.

World-renowned violinist Barry Shiffman and up and coming human rights champion Andrew Barry will be honoured at the University of Calgary’s fall convocation ceremony today.

Shiffman will receive an honorary degree for his work in the music industry. At 15, he debuted with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and has since appeared in thousands of concerts around the world. He is currently director of music programs at The Banff Centre. As part of his convocation address Shiffman will perform—a first in U of C convocation address history.

“Convocation at the University of Calgary is a magnificent occasion of celebration,” said U of C Chancellor Joanne Cuthbertson. “Our November graduates complete the 2009 class of 6000 plus students, bound for positions in our community and beyond. As an important aspect of the University of Calgary's pursuit of excellence, I am delighted that the university will confer the Honorary Degree Doctor of Laws upon Mr. Barry Shiffman.”

President Harvey Weingarten and Andrew  Barry.

Andrew Barry will be the last graduate to receive a President's Award for Excellence in Student Leadership from soon to retire President and Vice-Chancellor Harvey Weingarten. Barry is involved in human rights activities on campus, in Calgary and around the world. His extensive leadership in social justice involves combating discrimination on the basis of gender, sexual orientation and disability to create a sense of community and inclusiveness.

"In order to be successful in development studies, one must incorporate advocacy against oppression into his or her lifestyle,” said Barry who is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (honours) in development studies. “My experiences outside of the classroom have increased my knowledge and passion for development, and have greatly contributed to my learning and success."

During the morning ceremony astronaut, U of C alumnus and honorary degree recipient Dr. Robert Thirsk will present the convocation address via prerecorded video. The video was made, by Thirsk in space, specifically for the November graduates. DVD copies of Thirsk’s address to the November graduates will be made available on request.

“Education is the key to making your dreams come true,” said Thirsk in his July acceptance speech while orbiting the earth 400 kilometres above its surface. “My career in exploration began as a student in the engineering laboratories of the University of Calgary. I am humbled, at this, the apogee of my space exploration adventure, to receive such a prestigious honour from my alma mater.”

The university presented 12 outstanding individuals with honorary degrees this year including, Five-time Olympic medalist Johann Olav Koss; former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, Phil Fontaine; His Holiness the Dalai Lama; Doctors without Borders James Orbinski, founder of the heart and stroke program in Alberta Alastair Buchan; builders in the community Brian and Stephanie Felesky, Michael Tims and John Holmlund; Canada's foremost structural geologist Raymond Price.

Also at this convocation, Ian Herring a respected mentor in the oil and gas industry with a strong connection with the Schulich School of Engineering will be inducted into the Order of the University of Calgary. Ame-Lia Tamburrini will receive the Governor General’s Gold Medal—Master’s, Emma Stewart will receive the Governor General’s Gold Medal—Doctoral (not available for interviews on convocation day), Isabella Figueroa will receive the Chancellor’s Graduate Medal—Master’s and Robashar Hussain Butt will receive the Chancellor’s Graduate Medal—Doctoral.

The University of Calgary’s fall convocation ceremonies will take place Thursday, Nov. 12 at 9:30 a.m. and at 2 p.m. Both ceremonies are held in the Jack Simpson Gymnasium in the Kinesiology Complex and are open to the public. 1,377 students are graduating this November.

Convocation info

November 12—9 a.m.
Honorary degree recipient: Robert Thirsk (video only)
Order of the U of C: Ian Herring
Graduating: Faculties of environmental design, the Haskayne School of Business, kinesiology, law, medicine, the Schulich School of Engineering, science and graduate studies.
Governor General’s Gold Medal—Master’s: Ame-Lia Tamburrini
Chancellor’s Graduate Medal—Doctoral: Robashar Hussain Butt
Chancellor’s Graduate Medal—Master’s: Isabela Figueroa

November 12—2 p.m.
Honorary degree recipient: Barry Shiffman
Graduating: Faculties of communication and culture, education, fine arts, humanities, nursing, social sciences, social work and graduate studies.
President’s Award: Andrew Barry
Governor General’s Gold Medal—Doctoral: Emma Stewart (not available for interviews on convocation day)