WINNIPEG—Graduation is a time for celebrating outstanding achievements. Chancellor H. Sanford Riley, Acting President Patrick Deane, the Board of Regents, and members of the University Senate invite family, friends, and the public to honour the graduating class of the seventy-fifth convocation. The entire University community extends congratulations to the graduates as they join the more than 30,000 University of Winnipeg alumni around the world. Spring Convocation will take place on Sunday, June 1, 2003 at the University of Winnipeg’s Duckworth Centre (Ellice at Spence).
At this upcoming Convocation the University of Winnipeg will also recognize the exceptional work of Mary Robinson, the former President of Ireland and past United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Currently Director of the Ethical Globalization Initiative, Mary Robinson will be honoured by the University with an Honorary Doctor of Laws at the afternoon session of Convocation (3 p.m.).
Mary Robinson’s career has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to the highest ideals around political dialogue, social justice, and public education, and she is one of only a handful of international civil servants dealing with the problems of an agitated world. The University has had some inspiring honorary doctors in the past, but Mary Robinson seems an especially appropriate candidate this year, foregrounding the University’s historic engagement with matters of social justice, and signaling our desire to be even more involved with affairs on the national and even international stage. The University of Winnipeg is delighted that she will be traveling to Winnipeg to receive her honorary doctorate in person, and to address the graduating class of 2003.
A coalition committee, including the University, the Manitoba Human Rights Commission, the Court Challenges Program, and the United Nations Chair and Resource Centre, is in the process of planning some additional events that will showcase the culture of Manitoba and give the local community a chance to meet Mary Robinson.
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For more information, please contact:
Katherine Unruh, Director of Communications
The University of Winnipeg
tel: 204.786.9872 cel: 204.782.3279
