Media releases

• ‘Crossroads’ an opportunity for growth, Baseball Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins tells Brock grads

  Thursday, June 13, 2024 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: June 12, 2024 – R0076

  When Ferguson “Fergie” Jenkins signed with the Philadelphia Phillies and began travelling with their minor team, he came to a major crossroads in his life.

  As a Black baseball player in 1960s, the Chatham, Ont., native quickly learned how pervasive racism was in the United States.

  Segregation meant he was prohibited from staying in the same hotels as his white teammates and often could not eat at the same restaurants.

  Jenkins, who would go on to become the first Canadian inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, could have quit and given up on his dream of playing in the major leagues. Instead, he got up every morning ready to give it his all on the field.

  He recognized there were others who didn’t want him there, as a “player of colour,” but also knew he had a job to do: “play baseball.”

  Jenkins spoke about the significance of this time in his life while addressing the graduating class at Brock University’s 115th Convocation on Wednesday, June 12. During the afternoon ceremony, he was presented with an honorary doctorate from the University for his contributions to sport and the community through his athletic and philanthropic pursuits.

  Despite the challenges he faced along the way, Jenkins persevered in his career, playing Major League Baseball for nearly 20 years with the Phillies, Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox.

  Among his many accolades, the three-time All Star was awarded the National League Cy Young Award, was honoured with Canadian postage stamps featuring his image and was recognized with the Order of Canada.

  Jenkins said his wins did not come without challenges and difficult choices.

  He encouraged Brock’s latest graduates, when they inevitably encounter a crossroads of their own, to always “do what you think is best” to decide the right path ahead.

  “Don’t let someone spoil your dream,” he said, no matter the struggles that may be encountered along the way.

  Jenkins was the third and final honorary doctorate recipient of Brock’s 115th Convocation, which continues until Friday, June 14 with three remaining ceremonies. On Tuesday, June 11, the University bestowed honorary doctorates upon environmental activist Maude Barlow and accessibility leader Tricia Pokorny (BA ’95).

  In total, Brock’s Spring Convocation will see about 3,200 graduands from seven Faculties receive their degrees. All ceremonies take place in the Ian D. Beddis Gymnasium of Brock’s Walker Sports Complex and are livestreamed online at brocku.ca/livestream

  For a full schedule of Brock’s Spring Convocation, visit brocku.ca/convocation

  Ferguson “Fergie” Jenkins’ full Convocation address is available on YouTube.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews: 

  * Maryanne St. Denis, Manager, Content and Communications, Brock University mstdenis@brocku.ca or 905-246-0256

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  Categories: Media releases

• Honorary doctorate recipients urge Class of 2024 to take purposeful action

  Thursday, June 13, 2024 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: June 11, 2024 – R0075

  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.”

  “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

  For more information and a full schedule of Brock’s Spring Convocation, visit brocku.ca/convocation

  The full Convocation addresses of Maude Barlow and Tricia Pokorny are available online.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  * Maryanne St. Denis, Manager, Content and Communications, Brock University mstdenis@brocku.ca or 905-246-0256

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  Categories: Media releases