Canadian poet and spoken word artist Shane Koyczan will address the UBCO graduating class of 2021.
Virtual ceremony recognizes more than 1,800 graduating students
UBC Okanagan is marking its second virtual convocation next week.
More than 1,850 graduates — including 1,600 undergraduates as well as more than 100 masters’ and doctoral students — will tune in to celebrate the success of their educational journey.
“This has been a remarkable year for our students and our faculty,” says Lesley Cormack, deputy vice-chancellor and principal of UBC’s Okanagan campus. “While the ceremony will be virtual, the remarkable achievements of our students are very real and worthy of recognition. I invite everyone to join me in celebrating the Class of 2021.”
There are also some new faces in the procession of dignitaries that will congratulate the graduates this year. UBC’s 19th Chancellor, the Honourable Steven Point (xwĕ lī qwĕl tĕl), will preside over the ceremony, his first since taking on the role of chancellor last year. And this will be Cormack’s first convocation since joining the university in July 2020.
“Coming to UBC Okanagan during a time when our students are learning remotely has indeed been interesting,” Cormack adds. “Through it all, our students have shown remarkable fortitude while learning and conducting research online. I commend them all for their accomplishments.”
Once the ceremony has begun, UBC President and Vice-Chancellor Santa J. Ono will address the Class of 2021 live, dressed in full academic regalia and graduates will have an opportunity to take a virtual selfie with President Ono. Along with a congratulatory message from Cormack, graduates will also hear inspiring words from student speakers Ali Poostizadeh, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, and Blessing Adeagbo, who has earned a Bachelor of Human Kinetics.
Another highlight of the 50-minute ceremony will be a keynote address from Shane Koyczan. The Canadian poet and spoken word artist will honour the perseverance and resilience of the 2021 graduating class. His message, written from the heart, will inspire all viewers, Cormack adds.
UBC Okanagan’s graduating class will celebrate their accomplishments virtually on June 2, starting at 2:30 p.m. Students and their family members can watch the ceremony on YouTube, Facebook or Panopto, a platform that is accessible from many countries.
To find out more about the virtual convocation ceremony, visit: virtualgraduation.ok.ubc.ca
This year’s medal recipients
Governor General’s Gold Medal: Sandra Fox
Lieutenant Governor’s Medal Program for Inclusion, Democracy and Reconciliation: Aidan O’Callahan
UBC Medal in Fine Arts: Jade Zitko
UBC Medal in Arts: Michelle Tucsok
UBC Medal in Science: Jakob Thoms
UBC Medal in Education: Patricia Perkins
UBC Medal in Nursing: Alex Halonen
UBC Medal in Management: Breanne Ruskowsky
UBC Medal in Human Kinetics: Marika Harris
UBC Medal in Engineering: Rohan Ikebuchi
UBC Medal in Media Studies Sydney Bezenar