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Athabasca University Convocation takes over town

Putting your life on hold while pursuing a university degree is not easy, but for 1,776 Athabasca University graduates, it has been worth it.
Athabasca University graduates took the stage last week at the Athabasca Regional Multiplex Thursday to Saturday to receive their credentials and give thanks to the
Athabasca University graduates took the stage last week at the Athabasca Regional Multiplex Thursday to Saturday to receive their credentials and give thanks to the university’s unparalleled excellence in distance education, while distinguished guests were recognized.AU Board of Governors chair Barry Walker and Pannekoek confer a Doctor of Science on the CBC Radio host and science correspondent Bob McDonald.

Putting your life on hold while pursuing a university degree is not easy, but for 1,776 Athabasca University graduates, it has been worth it.

The 2013 Athabasca University Convocation took place at the Athabasca Regional Multiplex from Thursday to Saturday.

Each day, the academic procession was formed and alumnus and distinguished guests entered the Rotary Fieldhouse from the main lobby.

Athabasca County Reeve David Yurdiga gave some remarks Thursday, and Athabasca-Sturgeon-Redwater MLA Jeff Johnson was one of those guests on Friday, who spoke after welcoming remarks from Barry Walker, chair of the Athabasca University Board of Governors. Athabasca Mayor Roger Morrill spoke on Saturday.

Naturalists Albert and Pirkko Karvonen, who spent more than 30 years producing films on the nature of the boreal forest, were inducted into the Order of Athabasca University Friday, in recognition of their contributions to environmental conservation and natural history education in Alberta.

ìWeíre so deeply honoured to be part of the celebration and extremely proud of our relationship with AU ó and, in particular, Science Outreach, thanks to people like Robert Holmberg, and Linda Lindballe Ö itís a place for us to share ideas,î said Albert.

AU president Frits Pannekoek took the stage and spoke to the graduates.

ìWeíre all very proud of the work you, our students, have done,î said Pannekoek. ìI am exceptionally proud, and Iíll give you some reasons why.î

The president went on to illustrate at length various academic as well as non-academic ways in which graduates have ìset the pace for excellenceî in various fields from economics to nursing.

In addition to winning scholarships and beating out national and international competitors, highlighted Pannekoek, research scholarships worth hundreds of thousands of dollars have also been provided to academics at the university, including the $400,000 Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Scholarship for the study in analytics.

Rosalie Kit Sheung Hilde, the first ever to receive Athabasca Universityís Doctor of Business Administration, addressed graduates with words of encouragement Saturday.

Athabasca local Mel MacGregor, after receiving her credentials and posing for a photo op, pulled out a camera, hopped on the lap of AU president Frits Pannekoek, and grabbed a shot of her own for posterity.

On Saturday, an honorary Doctor of Science was conferred on the CBCís Bob McDonald, ìin recognition of his ongoing contribution to public awareness of science in Canada.î

He is the host of CBC Radioís Quirks and Quarks and has provided his scientific expertise on CBCís The National.

ìFace your dreams ó your dreams, not your parentsí dreams, not your professorsí dreams, not your friendsí dreams ó your dreams,î McDonald addressed the room of graduates.

ìJust find out where they are, and face that direction, but keep facing it, and look for every little opportunity to take those small steps, and eventually youíll get towards it, and youíll get there.

ìIt might take you years ó itís taken me 30 years to get here ó but youíll get there, youíll get there. Face your dreams.

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