“Today is the completion of what was once a dream,” Coady graduate Isaac Akuoko Boateng of Ghana told the crowd gathered at the Keating Centre December 10, 2011 for StFX Fall Convocation 2011.
Convocation indeed marked a day of celebration for over 250 StFX graduates who received degrees and diplomas, and for 49 Coady International Institute participants, representing 19 countries, who received their Diplomas in Development Leadership.
StFX honoured three outstanding individuals during Fall Convocation ceremonies, presenting honorary degrees to John W. Chisholm, an Antigonish, NS businessman and philanthropist; Dr. Budd L. Hall of Victoria, BC, a renowned Canadian adult educator; and Emily Joy Sikazwe of Zambia, a tireless champion of women’s rights.
Also receiving honours were StFX business professor Dr. Mary Oxner who received the university’s annual Outreach Award for her numerous contributions in the community and at StFX; and Blaine Chisholm, the inaugural recipient of the Community Partner Recognition Award. Mr. Chisholm is executive director of Celtic Community Homes. He has partnered with StFX’s Service Learning program since 1999.
“It is a true privilege to share this day with all of you,” StFX President Dr. Sean Riley said in his opening remarks. “Convocation is one of the great moments in the university calendar.”
He paid tribute to all graduates, including those who have had to juggle many roles – from family to work responsibilities – to be here today. “This is leadership at its best, leadership of oneself.”
Dr. Riley also made special mention of a group of 13 Mi’kmaq students – the first Aboriginal cohort – receiving their education degrees today. He also said it was special to share the day with graduates of the Coady International Institute.
All three honorary degree recipients addressed the crowd.
Mr. Chisholm told graduates to use their talents to find opportunities for themselves and others, to not be afraid to work hard, to take risks, and to do what they love.
As an adult educator, Dr. Hall said it was a special moment to be at StFX, home to the Antigonish Movement. “Yours is a generation capable of meeting the challenges of our time,” he told graduates.
Ms. Sikazwe praised StFX for recognizing the efforts of human rights defenders such as herself. StFX provides fertile ground for all students to become active global citizens, she says, noting the Coady and StFX (she is a graduate of both) have helped develop her skill set and reignited the fire within. “It is not what we have, but what we choose to become that will make the world a better place.”
Speaking on behalf of the StFX Alumni Association, president Shawn Monahan offered his heartfelt congratulations to all graduates as he welcomed them to the Xaverian family.
The Coady choir, in what is always a poignant and inspiring part of Convocation, had the crowd clapping along when they took the stage to sing, “We will take good memories, but we must say good-bye.
“Thank you for igniting the leadership in us.”