MONTREAL/November 17, 2008—
David P. O'Brien, Chancellor and Dr. Judith Woodsworth, President and Vice-Chancellor. Photo: IPI
Mr. Chancellor, Mr. Chair, Dear Friends and Family Members, Chers collègues, chers amis, Families and Friends of the Graduating Class, Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Fall 2008 Convocation Ceremony.
Mesdames et messieurs, bienvenue à la collation des grades de l’automne 2008.
This is a special day for all of us: for you, members of the graduating class of 2008, for your family and friends who are here to cheer you on, and for me, as I officially take on the role of Concordia University’s new President and Vice-Chancellor. Convocation also provides an opportunity for the entire community to celebrate Concordia’s success by witnessing your achievements as graduates.
Chers diplômés, je suis heureuse et fière de partager votre bonheur. Aujourd’hui, nous prenons, vous et moi, les premiers pas vers de nouveaux défis et d’autres succès.
Convocation, it is said, is a day of endings and beginnings. You, graduands, are coming to the end of one chapter of your lives and beginning another, as you pursue your studies, enter the workforce, or simply take a welcome break from all of this. Whatever your choice, we are counting on you to remain part of the Concordia community throughout your lifetime.
In my case, I am closing the circle by returning to Concordia, the place where I began my academic career. At my side is my husband, Lindsay Crysler, another member of the Concordia family. For us, this is both a homecoming and a new beginning.
During my 11-year absence, I worked at two different institutions in two other Canadian provinces, taking up a range of challenges, taking on significant initiatives, and working with some extraordinary people.
About a year ago, practically to the day, I was asked to consider Concordia. Before I agreed to be a candidate for the presidency, however, I followed Lindsay’s excellent advice, and came to Montreal – incognito – for a quick look. We snuck into town on a Sunday evening, wandered around the downtown campus, and the next morning drove by Loyola on our way to the airport. It was a brief look, but enough to see the new buildings and construction under way downtown. Concordia was both expanding and transforming the urban landscapein a very palpable way. At the Loyola Campus, too, I was struck by how much had changed with the addition of the new Richard J. Renaud Science Complex and the renovated Communications/Journalism building.
But the buildings were merely the outward manifestation of what else was happening: clearly, Concordia, and Montreal, were thriving. It was a vibrant place to be, on the upswing, and I wanted to be part of it.
C’est donc avec beaucoup de joie que j’embarque dans cette nouvelle entreprise, à la fois un nouveau début et un retour aux sources.
I am drawn to Concordia because of its openness – openness to change, to students of varying backgrounds, to new ideas, and to creative faculty. Concordia brings together the goals and aspirations of its two founding institutions, Sir George Williams and Loyola, which offered students a progressive liberal education.
Au-delà de la grande qualité de son enseignement, l’Université Concordia représente des valeurs d’ouverture, d’accessibilité et d’engagement social. La traductrice en moi prend un immense plaisir à constater à quel point cette université sert aussi de carrefour à la compréhension, à la communication et aux échanges de connaissances qui sont à la base même d’une civilisation pluraliste, d’une société d’accueil comme la nôtre.
I chose Concordia because I embrace its values, because I feel an affinity with its student population, and because I am at home, and energized, in this welcoming community, in one of the most diverse cities and multilingual cities in North America.
Many of you are the first in your families to earn a university degree, just as I was. Your families have made sacrifices and supported you in many ways – with love, affection, a helping hand, or financial assistance when you needed it. I know how proud they are of your achievements, just as my own parents, if they were living, would have been proud and so happy to be here on this occasion.
Graduates, please take a moment to join me in saying thank you to your friends and loved ones, for their part in your well-deserved success.
I’m here because I believe in Concordia and its traditions. But it’s not only about the past: it’s also about the future. It’s about imagining great change.
Il s’agit non seulement de rester fidèle à notre mission, à nos traditions, mais aussi de créer le changement. Tout en soulignant la contribution précieuse de mes prédécesseurs à la croissance et à la prospérité de l’université, je me tourne vers son avenir, qui sera encore plus brillant.
At the intersection of past and future is our Grey Nuns project, which combines stewardship of our cultural heritage with an exciting revitalization of a wonderful historic property to house a consolidated Faculty of Fine Arts. We will also build our research capacity, through such initiatives as the two multi-disciplinary Hydro Québec chairs in Engineering and Computer Science, which will bring innovative solutions to energy conservation and building design. We will develop new programs such as a unique PhD in social and cultural analysis. A spectacular building housing our John Molson School of Business will open its doors in September 2009, on time and on budget. And we are busily preparing to welcome thousands of colleagues from across Canada and around the world to the 2010 Congress of the Social Sciences and Humanities. What a wonderful time to be part of the Concordia community!
As we work toward achieving some of these milestones, as we develop further strategic goals focusing on academic quality, the student experience and community engagement, we will celebrate and communicate our achievements, both internally and externally, so that the name Concordia will inspire people to say “wow”, to sit up and take notice, right across the country.
Ce sera un nouveau départ pour Concordia. En effet, nous sommes en ce moment en plein exercice de planification stratégique. Concordia en sortira renouvelée, ses valeurs et objectifs largement partagés et appuyés de tous.
Today’s world is a challenging one. Climate change threatens the very life of our planet. We are currently undergoing an economic crisis that may well be as far-reaching as the Great Depression. And while our own financial situation worsens, we must remember that so much of the world’s population continues to be subjected to the hardships of war, disease, natural disasters and abject poverty. These are times when as educators we must stay the course. Knowledge matters.
En temps de crise économique, de guerres, de maladies et de fléaux qui ne cessent d’affliger les populations les moins munies du monde, il ne faudrait pas sous-estimer l’importance de l’avancement du savoir.
Chers diplômés, quelque soit votre domaine d’études, les connaissances que vous avez acquises ici vous seront précieuses.
As blues musician B.B. King said: “the beautiful thing about education is that no one can take it away from you.” But in addition to the personal benefit you may derive, the skills, knowledge and experience you have acquired here will enable you to make a difference. Mahatma Gandhi has inspired many of today’s youth through his words: “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” Each of you can change the world, in your own chosen field, in your own particular way.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I ask that you take note of the bright faces around you: this morning’s graduation for the Faculties of Engineering and Computer Science and Fine Arts, as well as ceremonies this afternoon and evening for the Faculty of Arts and Science and the John Molson School of Business, will prove a pool of talent that will shape the Montreal, the Québec and the Canada of tomorrow. And because so many of our students will return to their homes in other countries, this positive influence will be felt around the world.
Graduates, you are about to join our family of 150,000 alumni worldwide. I want to thank you for enriching Concordia with your presence, and ask you to act as our ambassadors wherever you may be in the next phase of your lives. Please nurture this very special place, which has nurtured you. The familiar expression, alma mater, in fact, means just that: “nourishing mother.”
As I assume my duties as president of Concordia, I promise to be there for you: a nurturing “mother,” serving our students, the institution itself, and all those who work tirelessly for its success. What I ask in return, from each of you – graduates, current and future students, families, friends, faculty, staff, and supporters – is that you join me in acknowledging our great tradition, in trumpeting our strengths and in imagining a great future.
We will leave a legacy of success and take pride, in the months and years ahead, in what we have accomplished, together, for this community, this country, and the world around us.
Nous envisageons avec fierté jouer un rôle critique, dans les mois et les années à venir, dans la région montréalaise, au Québec, et dans le monde.
Chers collègues des universités québécoises, chers amis, je vous remercie de votre présence.
I would like to express my appreciation to the representatives from sister universities, to my devoted friends and family members, and to members of the Concordia community, for taking the time to be here today;
To Lindsay who accompanies me on this great adventure; and to Michael, who has provided extraordinary support and even advice throughout my academic career, from the time he was a very young child – very special thanks.
Merci à tous et à toutes d’être ici en si grand nombre afin de partager avec nous la joie de nos étudiantes et étudiants.
And to you, our graduating class, my very best wishes on your next journey, wherever it may take you. Bonne chance et au plaisir.
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Source :
Tanya Churchmuch
Senior Media Relations Advisor
Concordia University
