Congratulations
Isaac Brock
Isaac, it’s your day!
Explore these experiences as part of your 2020 Spring Convocation
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Messages from President Gervan Fearon, Chancellor Shirley Cheechoo, BUSU President Asad Jalib and GSA President Christopher Yendt.
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The Right Honourable Paul Martin delivers the virtual keynote address; we also recognize this Convocation’s recipients of honorary degrees.
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This Convocation’s recipients of the Governor General’s Gold Medal Award, Excellence in Teaching Award, Research Excellence Award and Spirit of Brock medal.
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Throw some virtual confetti to celebrate your achievement, and show off your Brock pride with Class of 2020 wallpapers, cover photos, stickers and more!
Land acknowledgement
We at Brock University would like to acknowledge and honour the ancestors of those on whose traditional lands we gather today. Brock University is located on the shared lands of the Original Peoples, which became known as the traditional beaver hunting grounds. The Aboriginal Education Council and Brock University have worked collaboratively to keep the importance of our shared history, friendship and future relationships in our minds and hearts. We would like to recognize the successes of our Aboriginal graduates and all those graduating today.
BROCK UNIVERSITY’S ABORIGINAL EDUCATION COUNCIL
Greg Finn, Provost and Vice-President, Academic, delivers the Land Acknowledgement for 2020 Spring Convocation.
Dean’s welcome | Faculty of Applied Health Sciences
Peter Tiidus
Dean, Faculty of
Applied Health Sciences
Visit our faculty website for more messages for the Class of 2020. Visit website
“The person who gets the farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare. The sure-thing boat never gets far from shore.” — Dale Carnegie
Isaac,
As the above quote illustrates, graduation is the next step in moving ahead with your life. Your education has prepared you for many possibilities, most of which we cannot yet foresee. Be confident that you have the skills and abilities to succeed and do not be afraid to take the chances to do so.
You have graduated from excellent programs and have had the opportunity to learn from some great teachers. You have also had opportunity to learn outside the classroom and to benefit from interactions with your peers as well as the community at large.
I wish you all success and happiness in the future. Be proud of the education you have received and make the most of what you have achieved. You have a solid foundation for a life of learning and achievement. You are joining a community of Brock alumni as well as alumni from your program. Wherever you go, you will always be a Brock alumnus and we hope that this will continue to help you as you move through life.
While this has been an unusual ‘virtual’ graduation, I hope that it will still serve to inspire you and that you are able to take pride in your achievement.
Best wishes.
Dean’s welcome | Faculty of Education
Michael Owen
Dean, Faculty of
Education
Visit our faculty website for more messages for the Class of 2020. Visit website
Congratulations, Class of 2020!
Isaac,
Your Brock Faculty of Education family is incredibly proud of your educational and co-curricular achievements. I know your friends and families join us in celebrating your success even though we cannot be together at this time.
As you reflect on your time with us and look forward to your future as an educator, know that you leave us prepared to make significant contributions to society. As Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
As an educator, whether of young children, youth or adults, you have a powerful role to play in helping us respond to the challenges facing our world. You will prepare the next generation of experts, activists and leaders to tackle climate change and inequality, discrimination or prejudice in any form. The lessons you have learned at Brock have equipped you to do work that will matter. It is our responsibility as educators to change the world for the better and to challenge injustice and oppression.
We want to stay connected with you after graduation and keep up with your accomplishments and adventures. We look forward to your engagement as we build the very best Faculty of Education — for today and tomorrow. Together, we will make a difference.
I wish you all the best as you take your next steps in your life journey. Enjoy your day! Celebrate!
Dean’s welcome | Faculty of Social Sciences
Ingrid Makus
Dean, Faculty of
Social Sciences
Visit our faculty website for more messages for the Class of 2020. Visit website
Isaac,
On this convocation day, as you are commended for your hard work and achievements, take a moment to reflect on both — the countless all-nighters and the light-bulb moments that you carry forward today, the paper cuts and the A papers, your tears of frustration and the tears from those bouts of uncontrollable laughter you shared with friends. Committed, as you were, to studying how our global structures function, you likely encountered unexpected discoveries and, sometimes, hard truths that required you to grow, adjust, and find a new path forward.
I hope that your time at Brock will long be a touchstone for you — that you will regularly reach back into your memories to recall a fact, a methodology, a word of encouragement from a TA, or a perspective-shifting conversation with a trusted professor or seminar group.
The Class of 2020 takes on the world in what is already seen as an historic year, and I believe that you, as a graduating class of emerging social scientists and global citizens, will take up the challenge of using your knowledge and skills to enact meaningful change. Your clear thinking, strong action, and translation of theory into practice will help us reimagine our society as safe and healthy — for each and every member — and much more resilient, adaptive and sustainable.
I join your professors and instructors, the support staff who helped you along your journey, and your fellow students who cheered you on when times were toughest in wishing you my hearty congratulations on your Convocation, on behalf of the Brock community.
Dean’s welcome | Goodman School of Business
Andrew Gaudes
Dean, Goodman School
of Business
Visit our faculty website for more messages for the Class of 2020. Visit website
Isaac,
On behalf of the faculty and staff of the Goodman School of Business, may I offer you our heartfelt congratulations on having completed your degree. This isn’t the way any of us wanted to celebrate, but it does not diminish the pride we feel in seeing you start the next chapter of your life, ready to take on new challenges with the same passion, professionalism and perseverance you embodied while a Goodman student.
There is no question these are challenging times, but it is times like these that require leaders to step forward and find solutions. We know that you leave Brock University and the Goodman School of Business equipped with those skills and look forward to seeing how you help change the world.
Although we cannot be together, we wish you all the best. Take time to celebrate this wonderful accomplishment with your family and know that you will always be a part of Goodman’s extended family.
Congratulations!
Dean’s welcome | Faculty of Humanities
Carol Merriam
Dean, Faculty of
Humanities
Congratulations Humanities graduates of Spring 2020!
Isaac,
It wasn’t supposed to be like this. If things were normal, we would be having a day of celebration together. You’d be seeing your friends again, I’d be hosting you and your families for a pre-Convocation breakfast, and we’d all go to the gym in robes for the conferring of degrees and much cheering. But the times are anything but normal, and so we must come up with new ways to celebrate your grand achievement. For finishing a university degree really is a grand achievement, and we are all very proud of you.
In graduating in the Humanities at this moment, you are uniquely equipped to face the world as it seems to unspool around us. No matter what you have studied in the Humanities, you have developed some unique and crucial skills: you have learned to examine matters closely to seek out truth, and to look that truth in the face no matter how daunting it is. You have learned to develop an idea and express it in various ways, clearly and coherently. And you have learned to hold up a mirror to the world and show us what we really are.
These are the things we need as we try to build the world back better. You are the people we need. You have done something amazing and will go on to do even more amazing things. Thank you for spending the past few years with us and letting us see you develop into the citizens the world needs.
Dean’s welcome | Faculty of Mathematics and Science
S. Ejaz Ahmed
Dean, Faculty of
Mathematics and Science
Visit our faculty website for more messages for the Class of 2020. Visit website
Greetings and welcome to the Faculty of Mathematics and Science virtual convocation portal.
Isaac,
It is my utmost pleasure to honour the fine work and perseverance you have shown throughout your academic career.
Convocation is a time to reflect. It is a time to celebrate your accomplishments and be recognized by your professors, mentors and peers.
I know that nothing can replace the experience of having your name called out and walking across the Convocation stage. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us all to change how we gather and celebrate life’s biggest moments.
Though we may not greet each other in person, our spirits are aligned and I am just as proud to see your progress. The virtual nature of this year’s Convocation may be witnessed by an even wider array of attendees now that we aren’t limited by a physical location.
Earlier this year, Brock President Gervan Fearon promised that, when safe to do so, an in-person celebration for you and your family will be held on campus.
Take a moment to re-live your most joyful experiences at Brock; your highest marks, longest laughs and greatest challenges overcome.
Our Faculty draws on the strength and scholarly acumen in each of you to shine brightly on the world stage. I trust you will engage life to the fullest and succeed marvellously in your careers with the tools and work ethic you honed in Brock’s hallowed halls.
Dean’s welcome | Faculty of Graduate Studies
Isaac,
To begin, I want to offer my congratulations on completing your graduate degree at Brock University. While this may not be the way you envisioned this chapter to close, I know in years to come you will be able to look back at this time, and be proud of the resilience you developed as a graduate student during the COVID-19 global pandemic.
Convocation is a time to celebrate you and all your accomplishments. I am sure success looks different to everyone in the audience today. Whether you published your first research paper, worked towards a professional designation, or landed your dream job through a co-op placement, your achievements are alike in that they were found while a graduate student at Brock. You embraced your unique challenges with positive energy and sought opportunities to develop new competencies. We are proud to have you as alumni of Graduate Studies at Brock.
I also give my thanks to the people who helped you get where you are today. To the faculty members, supervisors, mentors and staff at Brock who played a role in our graduates’ success — thank you for sharing your time and talents. To the family members and friends of our grads — without your support, our students would not have been able to dedicate themselves to their studies. Thank you!
As you move to the next chapter of your life, take pride in knowing that you completed your graduate degree under extraordinary circumstances. Let this serve as the inspiration to completing your future goals, no matter how out of reach some of them may seem.
Surgite!
Diane Dupont
Dean, Faculty of
Graduate Studies
Diane Dupont
Dean, Faculty of
Graduate Studies
Isaac,
To begin, I want to offer my congratulations on completing your graduate degree at Brock University. While this may not be the way you envisioned this chapter to close, I know in years to come you will be able to look back at this time, and be proud of the resilience you developed as a graduate student during the COVID-19 global pandemic.
Convocation is a time to celebrate you and all your accomplishments. I am sure success looks different to everyone in the audience today. Whether you published your first research paper, worked towards a professional designation, or landed your dream job through a co-op placement, your achievements are alike in that they were found while a graduate student at Brock. You embraced your unique challenges with positive energy and sought opportunities to develop new competencies. We are proud to have you as alumni of Graduate Studies at Brock.
I also give my thanks to the people who helped you get where you are today. To the faculty members, supervisors, mentors and staff at Brock who played a role in our graduates’ success — thank you for sharing your time and talents. To the family members and friends of our grads — without your support, our students would not have been able to dedicate themselves to their studies. Thank you!
As you move to the next chapter of your life, take pride in knowing that you completed your graduate degree under extraordinary circumstances. Let this serve as the inspiration to completing your future goals, no matter how out of reach some of them may seem.
Surgite!
Dear Graduands
President and Vice-Chancellor
Gervan Fearon
Chancellor
Shirley Cheechoo
President,
Graduate Students Association
Christopher Yendt
President,
Graduate Students Association
Christopher Yendt
President,
Brock University Students’ Union
Asad Jalib
Keynote Address & honorary degree recipients
Right Honourable
Paul Martin
Convocation speaker
Faculty of Education honorary degree recipient
Paul Martin served as the Prime Minister of Canada from 2003 to 2006 before founding the Martin Family Initiative, a charitable organization committed to improving education, health and the overall well-being of Indigenous children and youth in Canada.
Peggy
Nash
Faculty of
Social Sciences
honorary degree recipient
Peggy Nash is a former NDP Member of Parliament and long-time advocate for labour, human rights, gender equality and democratic engagement.
Gary
Kobinger
Faculty of
Humanities and
Mathematics & Science
honorary degree recipient
Gary Kobinger is a former Canadian Scientist of the Year recognized for his development of an Ebola virus treatment.
Alice
Rueda
Faculty of
Applied Health Sciences
honorary degree recipient
Alice Rueda is an electrical engineer who developed the first commercial fixed broadband wireless access system and is researching high-tech solutions to Parkinson’s disease symptoms.
Debbie
Zimmerman
Goodman School of Business
honorary degree recipient
Debbie Zimmerman is the CEO of the Grape Growers of Ontario, having previously served as the first and only female chair of Niagara’s regional government.
Awards
Celebrating excellence
We congratulate this year’s recipients of the Governor General’s Gold Medal Award, Excellence in Teaching Award, Research Excellence Award and the Spirit of Brock medals.
Governor General’s Gold Medal Award Winners
Simon Earp-Lynch
Benjamin Earp-Lynch
Faculty of Applied Health Sciences
Awards recipients
Excellence in Teaching Award
Ken Lodewyk
Associate Professor, Kinesiology
Research Excellence Award
Kim Gammage
Associate Professor, Kinesiology
Spirit of Brock Medal
Undergraduate
Aashir Siddique
Spirit of Brock Medal
Graduate
Kelly Pilato
Goodman School of Business
Awards recipients
Excellence in Teaching Award
Eric Dolansky
Associate Professor, Marketing
Spirit of Brock Medal
Undergraduate
Bilal Khan
Spirit of Brock Medal
Graduate
Sara Eslampanah
Faculty of Education
Awards recipients
Excellence in Teaching Award
Spy Dénommé-Welch
Associate Professor, Educational Studies
Spirit of Brock Medal
Undergraduate
Jasmine Pereira
Spirit of Brock Medal
Graduate
Reuben Plance
Faculty of Mathematics and Science
Awards recipients
Excellence in Teaching Award
Bob Carlone
Professor, Biology
Spirit of Brock Medal
Undergraduate
Shraddha Khirwadkar
Spirit of Brock Medal
Graduate
Lelia Meskine
Faculty of Social Sciences
Awards recipients
Excellence in Teaching Award
Nick Baxter-Moore
Associate Professor, Communications, Popular Culture and Film
Spirit of Brock Medal
Undergraduate
Niveditha Sethumadhavan
Spirit of Brock Medal
Graduate
Keely Grossman
Faculty of Humanities
Awards recipients
Excellence in Teaching Award
Carole Lynn Stewart
Professor, English Language and Literature
Spirit of Brock Medal
Undergraduate
Sun-Kyung (Julie) Simmonds
Time to celebrate!
Isaac, you did it
It’s your time to
celebrate!
Stay connected
Isaac, your connection to Brock does not end with graduation.
Erin Mathany, President of the Brock University Alumni Association, welcomes you to the Brock University alumni family.
As a life-long member of the Brock University Alumni Association, you are part of a network of more than 105,000 alumni! We invite you to discover the many ways you can stay connected to your alma mater. Stay connected
Congratulations
from the
Campus Store
Our 2020 Grads can enjoy up to 30% off select items! Shop from a selection of Grad gifts including Alumni clothing, Grad teddy bears, and jewelry.
15%
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degree frames
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all tartan
Thank you Isaac
We know that nothing can replace the experience of having your name called out and walking across the Convocation stage, and we are as saddened as you that the COVID-19 pandemic has forced us all to change how we gather and celebrate life’s biggest moments.
Earlier this year, Brock President Gervan Fearon promised that, when safe to do so, an in-person celebration for you and your family will be held on campus. We will contact you once more information is available.
Here are a few more ways the Class of 2020 is being celebrated.
Congratulations to the 400+ international students from 46 countries graduating this Spring!
Niagara College President Sean Kennedy congratulates the graduating Class of 2020.
Watch Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s message to the graduating Class of 2020.
Watch Minister Romano’s message to the graduating Class of 2020.
Would you like your diploma mailed out? Make sure your contact information is up-to-date.
Visit the student portal to confirm your address,
and ensure that you’ve checked off the mail out option.
— 2020 Spring Convocation —
Looking for more ways to celebrate?
Visit our Celebration page and download fun #BrockUGrad themed mobile wallpapers, Facebook and Twitter cover photos, profile picture frames, GIFs, Instagram filters and more!
Show off your Brock pride and celebrate with us!