THUNDER BAY - Friday marked a special day in the lives of many young adults, as they were recognized for their years of hard work at Lakehead University’s convocation ceremony.
Former Chronicle Journal publisher Colin Bruce, who was honoured as a fellow during this year’s ceremony, urged students to embrace the day.
“I would like these graduate students to accept that this is a terribly exciting day for them,” he said. “It’s a new door opening.”
Approximately 1,800 students will walk across the stage at Lakehead’s convocation ceremonies this weekend.
On Friday, the graduate students of this year’s class filled the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium.
Masoud Manzouri, the honorary student speaker, had the opportunity to express his thanks to the school.
Manzouri, originally from Iran, received a master’s degree in environmental engineering on Friday.
In his speech, he thanked who he felt were the most important people in attendance: his parents.
“They came all the way from Iran. It’s their first time being here in Canada,” he said. “I’m so happy they could finally make it happen.”
Manzouri said being an international student came with a number of struggles, but overcoming it was another challenge that made him grateful for his convocation day.
“Language barrier, culture shock… And on top of that, financial struggles that could set anybody back,” he said. “But one thing I benefited from here, was the welcoming community. I felt welcome and I felt accepted.”
Manzouri was also the first graduate president of the Lakehead University Student Union. He said one of his friends put the idea in his mind, and at first he was apprehensive.
“I slept on it. But I looked on it as another challenge. As a graduate student it’s kind of unusual… but it was a wonderful experience and challenge that will help me in the long term.”
Gwen O’Reilly hasn’t been at Lakehead since the 1980s, but has used her education to help the community at the Northwestern Ontario women’s centre for over 30 years. On Friday, she received an honorary Doctor of Laws.
“I am not someone who expected to ever receive another degree,” she said.
O’Reilly enrolled in Lakehead in 1977 in the forestry program. She entered a program as only the fifth female out of 100 students.
During her time on campus, O’Reilly helped develop the first women’s centre at Lakehead. From there she began working at the Northwestern Ontario women’s centre, and has worked in the field since.
“When I was in school… we were basically told it was unlikely we would get good jobs because there’s no places for us. I now work in area where there are many women. Social justice is dominated by women.”
