view . summer 2011
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CELEBRATING OUR 100,000TH GRAD
UWindsor’s 100,000th graduate crossed the stage
this past June, joining 3,300 others who received
their diploma at Spring Convocation 2011.
That person shall, however, remain nameless, says
Greg Marcotte, university registrar.
“We don’t want to celebrate the achievement of any one
graduate but, instead, celebrate all of those graduates, past
and present, who share in this milestone,” says Marcotte.
Convocation is the highlight of the academic year, he
adds, noting that it is not just celebrated on campus, but
around the world.
“We have had the families and friends of graduating
international students congregate in homes, restaurants
and pubs in different countries to watch the live feed of the
ceremony so they can watch their child graduate and feel a
part of it, even if they cannot be there.”
About 85 to 90 percent of graduates attend convocation.
Some faculties boast almost 100 percent attendance, such
as Human Kinetics and Law.
While convocation remains cloaked in special traditions
such as carrying the gemstone-studded mace, changing
times and technology have had an impact, says Marcotte.
“Today, we notice people in the audience who are actually
CAMPUS
NEWS
watching the ceremony’s live feed on their cell phones so
they can see their son or daughter close-up on the screen.”
The event itself is a mammoth undertaking with more
than 120 people helping to set up and run it, including
about 40 volunteers. Staging begins five days before and
includes cleaning the St. Denis Centre, hanging the banners
and video screens, and fastening hundreds of chairs
together to meet fire code, which takes all night, right up
until the morning of the first ceremony. A total of five
ceremonies are held over three days.
An increasing number of faculty members attend
convocation to shake the hands of their students after
they cross the stage. “It really goes to show the sense of
pride that the professors take in the achievement of the
graduates,” says Marcotte.
One of the most popular parts of convocation is the
opportunity for graduates to have their picture taken with
Chancellor Ed Lumley.
“They line up for that!” says Marcotte.
Spring Convocation 2011 took place on June 15, 16, and 17.
Visit
to see profiles of
some of this year’s class. Also, watch our happy grads
lip dub to the song Flashdance … What a Feelin’.
