Final ceremony

For the more than 2,000 Lakehead University graduates walking across the Auditorium stage this weekend to receive a diploma, it will be their final steps as LU students. And it will also be the last convocation ceremonies Fred Gilbert will attend as president of the university.

While preparing for the first of four convocation ceremonies, Gilbert said the finality of the events hadn’t quite sunk in yet.

"I think that will come after the Orillia convocation next week," he said. "Once all the ceremony and angst and excitement are finished, it’ll be a sense of ‘well, this is it. This isn’t happening again.’ This is really special, one of the most special things a president does and I think at that point, I’ll feel a little bit of sadness."

Otherwise the day was unravelling like every other graduation ceremony that came before, which is hoping the graduates and their families have a great day and that the weather holds up.

"You can’t ask for much more than that," Gilbert said. "Just because it’s the last one doesn’t mean it’s any different than the first one or any other ones in between. The preparation is the same. The work is the same. The expectations are the same."

As Gilbert prepares to leave the university, Arthur Mauro officially became chancellor during Friday afternoon’s ceremony at the Community Auditorium.

Born and raised in Thunder Bay, Mauro said he would have attended Lakehead University had it existed when he graduated high school and he added it is a great honour to return to the city as chancellor and share the day with the graduating students.

"It’s their day and I’m very fortunate to be able to participate in it," he said.

Mauro came with a message for the graduates – that in today’s competitive world, they’re now armed with the skills and knowledge to step up to the competition.

"You’ve got knowledge and if there’s one thing this world needs in this sort of post-industrial society, it’s knowledge," he said.

Honours Bachelor of Commerce graduates and friends Seija Makelainen, Kimberly Stajkowski and Ian Wray were all ready to take the knowledge they’ve gained over the past four years and start the next chapter of their lives.

"It’s a little scary knowing that I’m now done university and on to a new life, new job," said Makelainen.

Stajkowski said after a bit of a rough final semester, receiving her degree made her feel accomplished.

"I worked hard for something and finally got there," she said.

And after four long years of studying, Wray is ready to be finished school.

"It feels good to finally be out of school, but there’s a long haul ahead looking for work," he said.