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Convocation 2024

Approximately 425 crossed the stage during the 2024 Convocation ceremonies on May 13. Four distinguished Canadians were recognized with honorary degrees, all of whom are esteemed alumni.

• Jane Craighead (‘80), Canadian business leader, philanthropist, former vice-chair of the ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½ Board of Regents 
• Alex Fancy (‘61), professor emeritus, founder and director of Tintamarre, 3M National Teaching Fellow 
• The Honourable J. Michael MacDonald (‘76), the 22nd Chief Justice of Nova Scotia; Counsel, Stewart McKelvey
• David Myles (‘03), Canadian songwriter and musician, two-time JUNO winner

Banner photo caption: Chancellor Lynn Loewen ('82), The Honourable J. Michael MacDonald (‘76), Alex Fancy (‘61), Jane Craighead (‘80), David Myles (‘03), President and Vice-Chancellor Robert MacKinnon ('78)

Ellie Smallwood (‘24) of Miramichi, NB was selected by her peers to deliver the valedictory address. Smallwood graduated with honours in biochemistry with a triple minor in chemistry, biology, and English. She will be attending medical school at Trinity College in Ireland with plans to return to the East Coast as a family physician after the five-year program.

Award-winning teaching

Several ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½ faculty members were recognized during Convocation. Andrea Morash (’05) is the recipient of this year’s Herbert and Leota Tucker Teaching Award, one of the University’s highest teaching honours.

Chemistry and biochemistry professor Tyson MacCormack received the 2024 Paul Paré Medal, awarded annually to a faculty member at ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½ who has best exemplified outstanding teaching, research, scholarship, and/or creative activities, and who has an exemplary record of service.

Anne Koval (fine arts), Jane Dryden (philosophy), Josh Kurek (geography and environment), Matt Litvak (biology), and Vett Lloyd (biology) were named 2024 recipients of the Paul Paré Excellence Awards.

Frank H. Sobey Award winner

Commerce student Alysha Walker (‘24) has been named a 2024 recipient of the Frank H. Sobey Award for Excellence in Business Studies from the Sobey Foundation. Valued at $45,000 each, the awards support the development of future business leaders and business programs in Atlantic Canadian universities. Walker was also one of four recipients of a Gold A Award presented at Last Lecture, recognizing graduating students who have made outstanding contributions to the University community. Walker has taken an active part in the Commerce and economics departments, working as a teaching assistant and serving as President of the ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½ Case Competition team and the Commerce Society, where she organized numerous events and learning opportunities for fellow students.

McCall MacBain Scholarship winner

Music student Emma Yee (’24) from Markham, ON is a recipient of a McCall MacBain Scholarship. She is among 30 students, representing 11 countries and 25 universities, and will pursue a Master of Music Performance: Opera and Voice at McGill while participating in mentorship, coaching, and a leadership development program.

Yee was also a recipient of the Bell Achievement Award, one of ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½â€™s most prestigious undergraduate awards, valued at $44,000 over four years, including an internship and peer mentorship opportunities.

SunMin Park (’23) and Aakanksha Khandwaha (’24) were also among the top candidates in the McCall MacBain Scholarships selection process and both earned $5,000 McCall MacBain Regional Awards. The Regional Award may be applied to eligible studies at any public university in Canada. Park and Khandwaha were also recipients of the Bell Scholarship while at ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½, the University’s top entrance award valued at $56,000 over four years.