Nobel Prize winner Art McDonald, Indspire CEO Roberta Jamieson among honorary degree recipients

SACKVILLE, NB — Approximately 470 Mount Allison University students will graduate during the 2016 Spring Convocation ceremonies, being held Monday, May 16 in Convocation Hall. Master of Science, Commerce, and Science students will receive their degrees during the morning ceremony beginning at 9:30 a.m. while Arts, Fine Arts, and Music students will graduate in the afternoon ceremony at 2:30 p.m.

Mount Allison University Chancellor Peter Mansbridge and President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Robert Campbell will preside over the May 16 events. “Convocation at Mount Allison University is an event I look forward to each and every year,” says Mansbridge. “I am proud that Mount Allison’s strong national reputation is able to draw such outstanding individuals, in our students, faculty, staff, and honorary guests, to the University community.”

“The Class of 2016 is an accomplished groups of individuals, and we have enjoyed working and learning with them here on campus over the past four years,” says Campbell. “I congratulate all our graduates on their achievements and wish them all the best in their future endeavours.”

Mount Allison will also recognize four outstanding Canadians, conferring honorary doctorates at the events. The 2016 recipients include:

• Roberta Jamieson, President and CEO of Indspire, Canada’s premiere indigenous-led charity
• Verna Kirkness, national leader in indigenous education and associate professor emerita at the University of British Columbia
• Dr. Arthur McDonald, 2015 Nobel Prize winner in Physics, professor emeritus at Queen’s University, and director of the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory Collaboration (the SNOLAB)
• Dr. John Smol, award-winning environmental researcher at Queen’s University and Canada Research Chair in Environmental Change

“This year’s honorary graduates are leaders in their respective fields,” says Campbell. “This past year we celebrated the Year of the Environment on campus and we look forward to marking the Year of Indigenous Knowledge at Mount Allison this coming academic year. We are pleased to mark this occasion by welcoming our honorary graduates to campus and as part of the Mount Allison University community.”

Jill Clairo of Calgary has been selected by her class as the 2016 valedictorian. Clairo is an honours psychology student who will be working towards her Montessori teaching certification following graduation.

Several Mount Allison faculty members will also be recognized during Convocation ceremonies. Geography and Environment Professor Dr. Brad Walters is the 2016 recipient of the Herbert and Leota Tucker Teaching Award, one of the University’s highest teaching honours. English Professor Dr. Janine Rogers received the 2016 Paul Paré Medal, awarded annually to a faculty member at Mount Allison University who has best exemplified outstanding teaching, research, scholarship, and/or creative activities, and who has an exemplary record of service.

Photo captions: Scenes from Mount Allison University's 2015 Convocation ceremonies. Approximately 470 students will graduate during 2016 ceremonies.

Note to media: Biographies on the 2016 Mount Allison University honorary degree recipients are available at mta.ca/convocation (Honorary degrees). Further details/announcements on award winners, as well as an advisory outlining Convocation Day events, will be sent shortly.