Students from the Goodman School of Business graduated Saturday during the last ceremony of spring convocation.

Chances are, most of those graduating Saturday morning during the Goodman School of Business convocation ceremony felt certain they knew their ABC’s.

But Prof. Anamitra Shome from the Department of Accounting took the time to remind them during the convocation address he presented after receiving the Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Borrowing from the classic musical film the Sound of Music, Shome stressed to nearly 600 graduates the importance of knowing their ABC’s of learning, including appreciating what others do for them, accepting themselves and others, and having aspirations.

“Much of the world as we know it today is the result of the aspirations of countless people over the centuries,” Shome said. “Never let your dreams die. Pursue them joyfully wherever you are, be open to new ideas, let your mind expand and your vision grow… . Always aspire for results, never rewards.”

Prof. Anamitra Shome.

Shome urged his audience to never seek personal benefit in what they do, look for the beauty within and around themselves “and spread that beauty wherever you go with a smile, or a word or phrase, or helping hand.”

He also stressed the importance of graduates believing in themselves.

“Believe in yourself and the good you can do for others, believe in the goodness of others and believe you can make a difference for others,” Shome offered. “Most of all, believe there is no challenge that you cannot overcome.”

Before capping off his inspirational speech, Shome told graduates to have the confidence to recognize their limitless potential and power to change their destiny, to have courage, and mostly, to have compassion for everyone, even those they don’t know and will never meet.

“You’re about to leave the sheltered halls of academia to begin a life for yourselves and in many ways it’s like earning your degree all over again,” he said.

“Whenever you’re unsure of yourself, whenever you feel lonely or lost, whenever you wish you were back in your safe … environment of your classroom, remember the ABC’s we talked about today and forge ahead, suffused with energy and enthusiasm.”

Saturday marked the final day of spring convocation at Brock where more than 3,000 students received their degrees during eight ceremonies.

In addition to the teaching award, Spirit of Brock medals were presented to two students Saturday.

Wanting Zheng (left) and Patricia Bernardo each received the Spirit of Brock medal Saturday.

Patricia Bernardo received the undergraduate medal and Wanting Zheng received the graduate medal.

The Spirit of Brock is awarded to graduating students from each faculty who best exemplify the spirit of Sir Isaac Brock.

Daniel Mancini received the Dean’s Medal for having the highest standing of any honours business student.