“If you dream of something—dream big. There is no challenge too great, no mission too hard, as long as you maintain your resolve, work hard and move forward. Don’t be afraid of failure. All successful people started with many failures and disappointments.”
These words of wisdom were shared by the Honourable Vim Kochhar, a former senator and honorary doctorate recipient, at York’s 2014 spring convocation as he addressed a new batch of promising grads eagerly (and nervously) preparing to begin their personal and professional journeys. As part of this year’s spring convocation, a total of 8,600 degrees were awarded to graduates from each York's 11 Faculties as more than 35,000 guests attended the celebration in person or tuned in online.
Julia Foster, chair of the Board of Governors of York University (far left), chats with Greg Sorbara prior to his installation as chancellor of York University
A set of 13 ceremonies kicked off on June 13 with the installation of York’s 13th chancellor, Gregory Sorbara (BA ’78, LLB ’81, LLD ’13), who replaces Roy McMurtry after six years in the role. “When [I began my journey with York] 38 years ago, I would never have imagined that it would end by becoming the titular head of this great institution,” said Sorbara. “To our graduands, you have been transformed by your years here and on behalf of the university as your new chancellor, I congratulate all of you.”
History was also made this year as five concurrent degree students became the first cohort of BEd in Tech Ed graduates from the Faculty of Education. York’s tech education program, which is the first of its kind in Ontario, aims to fulfil a growing need for qualified tech teachers in the province’s secondary schools.
And with the wealth of knowledge and experience they’ve gained at York, many of the new grads are already set to begin their careers in exciting positions across the province. Watch below to find out where some of our grads will start their next journeys.
Ratan Tara is a renowned Indian business leader who, as chairman emeritus of the TATA Group for nearly two decades, successfully boosted the group’s revenues from $5 to more than $100 billion. He oversaw the purchase of Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford and positioned the group to be one of the biggest manufacturers in the United Kingdom. |
Along with Kochhar, 11 other leaders from a diverse range of industries were recognized by York with an honorary doctorate degree during spring convocation and given the opportunity to impart their wisdom and experience on Canada’s future leaders. Use the links below to learn more about each of the 2014 honorary doctorate recipients and to read excerpts from their convocation addresses.
- Pierre Lassonde, Canadian philanthropist and mining engineer
- Vim Kochhar, former Canadian senator
- Rita Colwell, scientist, educator and award-winning filmmaker
- Bernie Lucht, CBC Radio executive producer
- John Bankes (LLB/MBA ’77), long-time York volunteer, honorary governor with the University's Board of Governors and chair of PREVNET
- Wade Davis, professor of anthropology and the LEEF chair in cultures and ecosystems at risk at the University of British Columbia
- Mayann Francis, former lieutenant-governor of Nova Scotia
- Maude Barlow, national chair of the Council of Canadians and chair of the board of Washington-based Food & Water Watch
- Tom Traves (MA ’71, PhD ’76), former president of Dalhousie University and York's former dean of arts
- Ratan Tata, chairman emeritus of the TATA Group - see right
- Barry Stuart (LLM ’99), internationally respected judge, lawyer, mediator, consensus facilitator, policy analyst, chief land claims negotiator, law professor and trainer in the use of collaborative processes and former chief judge of the Yukon Territorial Court
- Graham Fraser, Canada’s commissioner of official languages
A broadcast from each ceremony is available for viewing at https://www.yorku.ca/mygrad/archives/webcasts/june2014.htm.