MEDIA RELEASE 13 October 2017 – R00185
Tom Rankin graduated from university more than 50 years ago, but hardly a day goes by when he doesn’t learn something.
As the CEO of Niagara’s most high-profile construction company, Rankin still makes a point of attending conferences to learn more about his trade.
“Let me make it abundantly clear for those entering the workforce, a new phase in your education is about to begin,” he said Friday, Oct. 13 while delivering the afternoon convocation address at Brock University. “You won’t be marked on what you learned, but you’ll be judged on how you apply your knowledge.”
Rankin, who launched the company that would become Rankin Construction in 1978, was awarded an honorary doctorate during Brock’s Fall Convocation. A former Board of Trustees member for Brock, Rankin’s company and its related businesses now employ about 500 people. Rankin is also known for his philanthropic work, highlighted by his support of the Rankin Cancer Run, which has raised $7.5 million for local cancer care facilities.
Speaking in front of a large crowd that included his wife and other family members, Rankin told the Brock graduates that their university education would help them learn on the job faster, “but make no mistake that your learning curve will continue to climb.”
During the morning convocation ceremony earlier Friday, Dr. Gervan Fearon was installed as the University’s sixth President. With former President Jack Lightstone and former Interim President Tom Traves looking on, Fearon agreed to the Oath of Office delivered by Chancellor Shirley Cheechoo and then delivered his first convocation address.
He said he was taking over the reins of a university known for “outstanding teaching and learning; excellence in research, scholarly and creative activities; and renowned university-community engagement.”
On a day when nearly every minute was booked with ceremony, speeches and meet and greets, Fearon took a few moments to reflect, saying the day gave him the chance to look back at where he has come from, and where he’s headed.
“You’re looking out at all the students who are starting their journey and you’re recognizing how your post-secondary education played such an important role in all of your accomplishments,” said Fearon, who started his tenure as Brock’s President on Aug. 1. “It’s a wonderful juncture that’s a culmination of the work you’ve done, but also of work to follow and what’s to come.”
Over the two ceremonies, more than 1,000 students graduated during Brock’s Fall Convocation Friday.
For more information, photos and video from Brock’s Fall Convocation, visit The Brock News website at brocku.ca/brocknews
For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:
* Dan Dakin, Media Relations Officer, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970
Brock University Marketing and Communications has a full-service studio where we can provide high definition video and broadcast-quality audio.
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