By Karen Kelly
More than 1,200 Carleton University fall graduates will be celebrated at an online celebration going live at 1 p.m. EDT on Nov. 14 that’s replacing traditional Convocation ceremonies due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Many congratulations to all graduates for completing your degrees under challenging circumstances,” President Benoit-Antoine Bacon said in a recent message to the community.
“You can be extremely proud and we look forward to celebrating you accomplishment virtually . . . until such time as we can celebrate in person.”
Algonquin Elder Barbara Dumont-Hill
The university’s Senate officially conferred the degrees of 752 undergraduate students and 484 graduate students at its meeting on Oct. 30.
The pre-recorded virtual event will be released on the Carleton Grads 2020 website and will remain available for people to view when they like. The celebration includes an introductory blessing from Algonquin Elder Barbara Dumont-Hill and a drum song from Steve Wawatie of the Algonquin Nation, as well as remarks from Chancellor Yaprak Baltacioglu, President Benoit-Antoine Bacon, Board Chair Dan Fortin, Senate Clerk Betina Appel-Kuzmarov, Provost Jerry Tomberlin and the faculty deans. A surprise alumni speaker has been lined up, as well.
Traditionally, the Clerk of Senate carries the university mace into Convocation in the Carleton Fieldhouse. This year, Betina Appel-Kuzmarov will emcee the virtual ceremony.
“This year will look different, as I will not be leading the procession into Convocation, holding the mace, or other formalities,” she says.
“But I am just as excited and just as proud to celebrate with you virtually. Your achievements are amazing and will be honoured.”
Senate Clerk Betina Appel-Kuzmarov
The university-wide celebration will be followed by a week of online events in Carleton’s departments and faculties. Highlights include live events hosted by the Sprott School of Business, the departments of Cognitive Science, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Infrastructure Protection and International Security, Chemistry, Neuroscience, and the Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies.
Congratulatory messages and videos will also appear on websites in the departments of History, Sociology and Anthropology, Systems and Computer Engineering, Criminology and Criminal Justice, Social Work, Economics, Political Science, Law and Legal Studies, Computer Science, Biology, and more.
Prime Minister praised Canadian post-secondary graduates in a live address at Carleton University on June 10, 2020
“[These] virtual events reflect Carleton’s commitment to safely honouring our more than 1,200 new graduates until such time as we can celebrate in person on our beautiful campus,” Suzanne Blanchard, vice-president (Students and Enrolment) and University Registrar, said in a letter to students, faculty and staff.
“On behalf of the entire Carleton community, allow me to extend heartfelt congratulations to all of our graduates!”
In addition to the virtual celebrations, congratulations are being shared on the university’s social media wall, using the hashtag #CarletonGrads2020. See more congratulatory videos, a list of all graduates, and information about the celebration on the Grads 2020 website.
Rawan Alkurd
The university has already been publishing stories about some of its most notable graduates! Read about data science and artificial intelligence expert Rawan Alkurd and her incredible academic journey, or catch up with Andrea Reid, a citizen and member of the Nisg̱a’a Nation who gained extensive experience working with Indigenous fishers and fisheries during her time at Carleton. More great stories are available to read now at our Grads 2020 website.
Andrea Reid
Wednesday, November 11, 2020 in Events, Grad Stories
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