The first graduates of Thompson Rivers University Master of Science Environmental Science and Master of Education programs will cross the stage to receive their credentials at the Fall Convocation Ceremony, October 1, at 2 pm.
The master degree programs were launched in September 2007. The first cohort from these new programs will be among the over 100 graduates of a potential 409 from 70 degree, diploma and certificate programs taking part in the ceremony.
“These new programs will produce graduates who are well equipped to make significant contributions as teachers and to our environment,” stated Roger Barnsley, TRU President and Vice-Chancellor”. TRU continues to make a commitment to student engagement and career success and these new degrees are examples of how our strategic plan has become a reality.”
The ceremony will be held in the TRU Gymnasium. After the ceremony graduates and supporters are invited to an indoor reception in the Campus Activity Centre Rotunda.
TRU added a Fall Convocation ceremony in 2006. The additional ceremony suits students who finish their programs during the summer semester, yet don’t want to wait almost a full year to cross the convocation platformA growing contingent of fall graduates have completed their programs through Open Learning, and many are from campus graduating from science, nursing and business programs.
For graduates or family and friends unable to attend the ceremony, they can watch the live webcast at http://barabus.tru.ca/convocation
TRU FALL CONVOCATION BRIEFS
Valedictorian John (Ford) Widrig is from Lunenburg, NS graduating with Honours and Distinction from Lunenburg High School in 2003. Upon graduating, Ford traveled to Lethbridge, Alberta for his first year of university and competition in collegiate track and field. The following year he found work in Grand Forks, BC, and in 2005 resumed his studies at Thompson Rivers University.
While at TRU, Ford was a tutor for TRU’s Supplemental Learning program, studied abroad for one semester at the Turku School of Economics in Finland, and competed for the Kamloops Track and Field Club under Dr. Anatoly Bondarchuk.
In August of this year Ford completed the Bachelor of Business Administration program at TRU, with a concentration and minor in finance and accounting, respectively, and a cumulative ‘A’ grade point. He has returned to Grand Forks and works as the office administrator for Advance Nursery Co. Ltd.
Thompson Rivers *University Medal in Tourism Management awarded to Gregory Simmonds who grew up in Victoria, BC where he developed a love for the outdoors, especially kayaking.
While pursuing his Bachelor of Tourism Management majoring in Adventure Studies, he maintained a constant place on the Dean’s list for his academic efforts, and received the Learie Sprott Award in 2007Between terms he was a sea kayak guide on Vancouver Island and was a research assistant within the School of Tourism. Two major highlights of his studies at TRU were kayaking in Tibet and tourism development work in ChileThese experiences have inspired him to pursue a Master’s degree in Environmental Science, a melding of his passion for travel and the outdoors that he expects will take him on many international adventures for pleasure, but also in a professional context as a guide and as a tourism development consultant
*(A University Medal goes to an eligible graduating student in each faculty who has achieved the highest grade point average over the assessment period, medals are usually presented at the June Convocation, which Greg differed because of travels in Chile).
Educator Emeritus bestowed to Penny Heaslip who joined the nursing faculty at Cariboo College in 1983. She has been outstanding in her commitment to sharing her knowledge with others, and helping individuals develop as effective teachers by actively promoting and presenting the Instructional Skills Workshop for more than 20 years.
For making a difference in the quality of student and faculty experiences throughout her career she was appointed as the first coordinator of the Centre for Teaching and Learning.
Penny is also a stalwart promoter of campus internationalization, and over the years has facilitated international opportunities for nursing faculty and students through development projects and serving on the School of Nursing International Committee.
In June 2005, at the inaugural convocation of Thompson Rivers University, Penny was recognized with the university’s first Master Teacher award.
Contact: Office of the President and Vice-Chancellor (p) 250.828.5001
