The chance to make a difference lies before you.

That was the message delivered to Brock’s newest graduates by two of the University’s honorary doctorate recipients on Tuesday, June 11.

As part of Brock’s 115th Convocation celebrations, Maude Barlow and Tricia Pokorny (BA ’95) wove a common thread through their addresses, encouraging the graduating class to harness the opportunities this new chapter in their lives presents and better the world in the process.

Barlow, a respected Canadian activist and author, shared how her passion for water took her all the way to the United Nations, where she helped lead the fight that saw water and sanitation declared a human right.

Through her roles as board chair of Food and Water Watch, which advocates for safe food, clean water and a livable climate for all, and founder of leading water justice organization the Blue Planet Project, she dedicated her time to addressing the world’s water crisis — and has learned many lessons along the way.

“I learned how fragile our beautiful planet is and how important it is for us to be its stewards,” she said. “I also learned it is a joy to dedicate your life to social and environmental justice. You get up in the morning caring about something more than yourself and, believe me, that’s a good thing.”

Barlow urged Brock’s Class of 2024 to find time to protect the planet, no matter what direction their future path takes them in, and to embrace the concept of “wise hope.”

Brock graduate Tricia Pokorny (BA ’95) returned to her alma mater on Tuesday, June 11 to receive an honorary doctorate.

“Wise hope requires us to face reality,” she said. “Not to pretend all is well, but to take action anyway. You can’t say ‘oh it’s too big, I can’t do anything.’ That will not get us anywhere as a community or as a planet.”

Taking action is what started Pokorny’s career.

In 1997, after a challenging experience navigating Casino Niagara as a blind woman, the proud Brock graduate took her concerns straight to the company’s president. This resulted in the creation of the organization’s Diversity and Special Needs Co-ordinator role — with Pokorny as the first to hold the position.

She would go on to lead the development, implementation and management of an award-winning accessibility and diversity program at Casino Niagara and Fallsview Casino Resort in Niagara Falls, in addition to later spending 10 years as Senior Manager of Accessibility for the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation. She is now the program lead for the Come to Work program at the Canadian National Institute for the Blind’s (CNIB) B.C. and Yukon division, where she helps people with sight loss develop workplace readiness skills.

While earning her degree in Applied Language Studies (now Applied Linguistics) at Brock, Pokorny immersed herself in volunteer opportunities with groups such as Ontario March of Dimes, Guide Dogs for the Blind, CNIB and the United Way — giving insight into her burgeoning passion for community service.

She encouraged graduates to also get out into the community and get involved, using their compassion, strength and kindness to better the place they call home.

“My message to you is that although you’re graduating today, this is not the end of your journey, this is just the beginning,” Pokorny said. “You’ll have opportunities that will now come about, whether you work in the public sector, private sector or somewhere else. You have all the opportunities to make a difference, to change what it means to live on our planet and to be good citizens.”

She encouraged the graduates to always keep humanity top of mind.

“That should be our priority,” she said. “Strive to make that difference, strive to be the best that you can to change your community, the country and the world.”

Brock’s 115th Convocation continues Wednesday, June 12. At the day’s 2:30 p.m. ceremony, the University will present an honorary doctorate to National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee and humanitarian Ferguson “Fergie” Jenkins.

From June 10 to 14, about 3,200 graduands from seven Faculties will receive their degrees. All ceremonies take place in the Ian D. Beddis Gymnasium of Brock’s Walker Sports Complex and will be livestreamed online at brocku.ca/livestream

Brock’s Convocation continues until Friday, June 14. For a full schedule, visit brocku.ca/convocation

Discover the full collection of Convocation photos by ceremony on Brock University’s official Facebook page or view recordings of the ceremonies at brocku.ca/livestream

Watch Maude Barlow’s full Convocation address below:

Watch Tricia Pokorny’s full Convocation address below: