This spring, Mount Saint Vincent University is celebrating approximately 620 graduates from 35 countries. With the approval of the graduates list by the MSVU Senate earlier today, May 29, 2020, these students have officially achieved their degrees, diplomas and certificates in arts, science, education, and professional programs and become part of MSVU’s network of more than 34,000 alumni worldwide. All students received their graduation confirmations by email today. View the full list of graduates in a commemorative program »
Though the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated the cancellation of convocation ceremonies, MSVU made sure to celebrate the significant accomplishments of its spring 2020 graduates. “Our graduates have shown incredible resilience as they’ve navigated, and continue to navigate, one of the most challenging times the world has faced in recent history. We want to do everything we can to show our enormous pride and appreciation,” said Dr. Mary Bluechardt, President and Vice-Chancellor. “Like other members of the MSVU community, I was extremely disappointed that our spring convocation had to be cancelled, but we were determined that wouldn’t stop us from celebrating our graduating students, highlighting their tremendous academic achievements, and marking this important milestone in their lives.”
Special video tribute
MSVU today released a video tribute to all graduates featuring messages from numerous faculty and staff. Recent MSVU honorary degree recipient (2019) Rick Hansen, DHumL, appears in the video to send a special message to spring 2020 grads.
“Even though you’re not able to be physically together as a community, I hope that you’ll take this opportunity to celebrate this important milestone, to remind yourself of the hard work, guts and resilience that it took to be able to accomplish this goal, to express gratitude to all those who have helped you get to this point, and to know that the skills that you’ve learned,especially the sovereignty of your attitude about how you view circumstance is totally within your control,” Rick says. “Hope endures through all kinds of challenging times and it creates the fuel for inspiration for the future. Celebrate this success. Never, ever give up on your dreams. And remember that anything is possible.”
Personalized graduation packages
With a final graduates list now approved, the University will soon mail a special celebratory package to each graduating student, including their parchment and any award(s) bestowed, an alumni pin and key chain, an official alumni card that will grant them a number of perks, an ‘MSVU Class of 2020’ sign, and a letter from MSVU President Dr. Mary Bluechardt.
Graduating student prizes
Spring 2020 graduating student prize winners will receive their awards as part of their personalized graduation packages.
The President’s Prize is awarded to graduates whose generosity, energy and commitment enrich the university; the spring 2020 recipient is:
- Nahal Fakhari, Bachelor of Arts (Child and Youth Study) Honours, Halifax, NS
- Emily DeMille Wright, Bachelor of Science (Honours), Hampton, NB
The Governor General’s Medal is presented once per year for the highest aggregate in the final three years of a degree program (undergraduate) and the top graduating Master’s student:
- Emily DeMille Wright, Bachelor of Science (Honours), Hampton, NB (Undergraduate award)
- Lynne M. MacKinnon, Master of Education (conferred November 2019), Halifax, NS (Graduate award)
Membership to Kappa Gamma Pi, the National Catholic College Graduate Honor Society, is based on scholarship, leadership, and service; the spring 2020 recipients are:
- Shannon Power, Bachelor of Education (Secondary Education), Halifax, NS
- Jenna Ryan Stewart, Bachelor of Arts, Moncton, NB
- Marissa Claire Wilmot, Bachelor of Public Relations (Co-operative Education Route), Dartmouth, NS
Honorary degree and faculty award presentations have been deferred to a future ceremony. When the University first announced that spring convocation would be cancelled, graduating students were offered the opportunity to attend a ceremony in the fall. We hope to have an update on fall convocation soon.
About Mount Saint Vincent University
As a leader in online and experiential learning, and based on a strong tradition of social responsibility, Mount Saint Vincent University takes a personalized approach to education to nurture socially responsible global citizens. Founded in 1873, the Mount has been nationally recognized for having one of the lowest student-to-professor ratios, for providing students early access to valuable research opportunities, for its legacy in the advancement of women, and for facilitating critical advancements in food security, healthy aging, literacy, and childhood development.
Media contact:
Gillian Batten
Director, Communications
Mount Saint Vincent University
902-441-0505
Gillian.Batten@msvu.ca