REF NO.: 47

SUBJECT: Memorial University to hold fall convocation ceremonies in St. John's

DATE: October 15, 2014

Memorial University is holding fall convocation ceremonies this week. Some 900 degrees will be awarded to graduating Memorial University students during three sessions of convocation on Oct. 17 at the St. John’s Arts and Culture Centre. The first session of convocation was held at the Arts and Culture Centre in Corner Brook on Oct. 3.

Along with the hundreds of new graduates crossing the stage, Memorial University will also present two outstanding people with degrees honoris causa at fall ceremonies.

Honorary degrees will be awarded to Ms. Anna Mary Curren for her many contributions to the nursing field, nursing education and her work as a gay rights advocate; and Dr. Roger William Peattie for his contributions to research on book publishing and Pre-Raphaelite literature and for his continuing contributions to Memorial’s intellectual life. Gordan Slade was awarded an honorary doctorate at the session of convocation held in Corner Brook for his wide-ranging contributions to preservation of Newfoundland and Labrador communities and their heritage.

Honorary degree recipients are chosen from nominations submitted by the public to the Senate, the university’s academic governing body, after a careful examination of the grounds for their nomination. The honorary doctorate degree is designed to recognize extraordinary contribution to society or the university or exceptional intellectual or artistic achievement.

Three distinguished retired faculty members who were recently accorded the title professor emeritus by the university’s Senate will be recognized: Dr. Tom Gordon, School of Music; Dr. Noel Roy, Department of Economics, Faculty of Arts; and Dr. Sudesh Vasdev, Division of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine. This distinction is open only to retired members of the faculty who have served at least 10 years as a regular full-time faculty member at Memorial and must have held the rank of professor upon retirement.

Dr. Gary Kachanoski, Memorial’s president and vice-chancellor, will address all three sessions of convocation in St. John’s.

For further information about convocation and those receiving special honours, please visit www.mun.ca/convocation. Memorial’s fall convocation is also being broadcast live on the Internet. The broadcast will be available for viewing at www.mun.ca during each convocation session and archived on Memorial’s convocation website for future viewing.

Media agencies are invited to attend convocation ceremonies. Limited media seating is available; media representatives should ask for David Sorensen or Meaghan Whelan at the north door entrance to the auditorium. Videotaping in the auditorium is restricted; a video feed or tape is available upon request. A full schedule follows this release.

For more information, please contact David Sorensen, acting associate director (communications), Memorial University, (709) 864-2143, cell (709) 685-7134, sorensen@mun.ca; or Meaghan Whelan, acting manager (communications), Memorial University, at (709) 864-2455, (709) 725-9605 or mcwhelan@mun.ca.  

1. JOHN’S

Friday, October 17 10 a.m.

B.A.(Hons.), B.A., B.N., B.S.W., B.Sc (Pharm)., M.A., M. Phil., M.S.W., M.N., M.Sc.(Pharm.), M.W.S., M.E.R., M.Sc.(Med.), M.P.H., M.A.Ed., M.G.S., M.H.E., Ph.D., Psy.D.

Friday, October 17 3 p.m.

B.Sc. (Hons.), B.Sc., B.Eng., B.P.E.(Hons.), B.P.E., B.P.E.(Co-op.)(Hons.), B.P.E.(Co-op.), B.Rec.(Co-op), B.Rec.(Hons.), B.Rec., B.Kin.(Co-op.)(Hons.),B.Kin.(Co-op.,) B.Kin.(Hons.), B.Kin., B.Comm. (Hons.), B.Comm., B.Comm.(Co-op.)(Hons.), B.Comm.(Co-op.), B.B.A.(Hons.), B.B.A., I.B.B.A.(Hons.), I.B.B.A., B.M.S., B.Tech., M.Sc., M.Eng., M.P.E., M.B.A., M.A.S., M.Env.Sc., M.M.S., M.A.S.P., M.Sc. (Kin.),M.A.Sc., M.E.M., M.M.M., M.T.M.

Friday, October 17 7:30 p.m.

B.Mus.,B.Sp.Ed., B.Ed.(Post Secondary), B.Ed.(Intermediate/Secondary), B.Ed.(Primary/Elementary), B.Mus.Ed.,M.Ed., M.Mus.