Marking an 'exceptional accomplishment’: UTM grads celebrate in-person convocation
The day began with driving rain and dark skies. But by the time the first of University of Toronto Mississauga’s undergraduate students were ready to line up outside Convocation Hall, the rain had stopped, the sky had turned a cornflower blue, and the sun was peeking out from white, puffy clouds.
It was the first in-person convocation for UTM students since before the pandemic. The five UTM-specific ceremonies, including one for Institute of Management & Innovation master’s degree recipients, were part of a total of 32 ceremonies for more than 15,500 students from the Class of 2022. All were recorded and can be viewed via U of T’s Convocation Hub. See a curated list of video highlights on UTM's Twitter account.
(For the Classes of 2020 and 2021, U of T will be in touch about in-person graduation ceremonies, which will include elements of a traditional celebration such as speakers and regalia.)
“As my first order of business, I am delighted to salute you, the graduating classes of 2022 from the University of Toronto Mississauga,” said UTM Vice-President and Principal Alexandra Gillespie from the podium. She added, to thunderous applause from the audience: “That’s it. You’re done!”
Students should savour the sense of accomplishment they feel on convocation day, says Rhonda McEwen, UTM vice-principal, academic and dean. "Sit with this feeling," McEwen told UTM grads about to receive their degrees. "Drink it in — this exceptional accomplishment. Keep it in reserve when you need a boost," she added.
“Because this feeling of triumph and success, this pride you feel in what you've accomplished, you need to reach for it in those moments later on where you're not as confident. Maybe you're trying something new and you're not quite at the top of your game yet,” McEwen said. “I hope this is the thing you remember when you look back and that you never, ever forget it.”
"We can plan all we want but life may well throw other things your way,” noted speaker Dr. Lawrence Loh, the Medical Officer of Health for Peel Public Health. He told the crowd at Convocation Hall that his first day on the job was March 14, 2020, just as the world was shutting down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The future may not unfold as planned. It does not mean that it won’t be filled with people and stories that inspire and that makes life worth living,” he told the grads. “Enjoy the journey."
He implored grads to see the intrinsic good in those around them as he imparted three leadership lessons. “I urge you to trust and empower others; to listen, especially to those whose voices aren’t apparent; and to believe in the goodness of people. By so doing, you’ll be able to seize every difficult and beautiful moment that life has to offer.”
“Despite everything we are up against in our world, I have great hope and optimism because of you – collectively and individually,” Michelle DiEmanuele, Secretary of the Cabinet for the Province of Ontario. said in her address to students. DiEmanuele is the former CEO of Trillium Health Partners, which serves residents of Peel region and west Toronto.
With war, a pandemic and fast-evolving technology, the world is full of uncertainty and turmoil. “It seems to me that we live on a knife-edge of history: 2022,” she said, noting the parallels between students graduating this year and those who sat in Convocation Hall 100 years ago.
It was also a time of upheaval, as the world contended with the aftermath of the First World War, a pandemic and emerging transportation technologies. “Objectively speaking, the world of 1922 was a pretty bleak place. But nevertheless, here we are 100 years later and able to look back and reflect on the lessons of history and the achievements of the generations before us.”
“As a society, we are in the habit of emphasizing individualism. As in ‘you made it, you did it.’ It's your accomplishments,” said Robin R.R. Gray, a UTM professor of sociology. “While I don't want to take away from your individual efforts, we must also acknowledge that it takes a community to get you here,” she added, acknowledging parents, faculty, academic advisors and more.
Gray, who is Ts’msyen and Mikisew Cree, spoke of the importance of collectively remembering the past, particularly when it comes to the history and legacies of the Indian residential school system. This collective memory is essential in order to “envision a more desirable future” based on peace, justice and freedom, in which every child matters.
After the ceremonies were done, grads gathered on UTM campus and online for a hybrid Graduation Reception hosted by Alumni Relations. UTM Class Valedictorian Aishwarya Nair joined VPP Gillespie and UTM Alumni Association President Dania Ciampini in congratulating UTM’s newest alumni.
“I just want to say that I’m proud of each and every one of you,” Nair said afterward, noting that in addition to the rigors of academia, she and her classmates faced an extra challenge due to the pandemic and its emotional toll. “You deserve to celebrate today and be proud of everything you’ve achieved!”
