Fall 2008 Convocation
Royal Roads University honours Arctic advocate, business leader and local hero
If any of over 850 students graduating this fall from Royal Roads University were looking for role models, they needed to look no further than Arctic advocate Sheila Watt-Cloutier, distinguished business leader Bob Skene and local hero Bob Beckett.
Inspirational, visionary and hard-working are adjectives that aptly apply to all three of these notable individuals; each honoured under the signature white marquis at convocation on Friday, November 7.
Watt-Cloutier of Iqaluit received an honorary degree for a number of astonishing accomplishments, most notably helping launch the world’s first international legal action on climate change.
“To address climate change, our world must re-connect around our shared Arctic, our shared atmosphere, ultimately our shared humanity,” says Watt-Cloutier. “Everyone must realize that climate change impacts being felt in the Arctic today are connected to the cars we drive, the industries we support, the disposable world we have become and the policies we create.”
Skene, who has had an exceptional three-decade-long financial management career in Victoria, was presented with an honorary degree for his role as a tireless and giving business and community leader. He has served as a member of the Board of Governors at Royal Roads University as well as Chancellor and Chair of the Board and a member of the university’s Foundation Board. Skene also volunteered his extraordinary talent to serve as Acting President for 11 months in 2006 and now co-chairs the university’s Legacy Campaign, its first-ever major fundraising initiative.
“What I am most proud of is helping RRU strengthen its relationships with its stakeholders including the Department of National Defence, local First Nations and ex-cadets from Royal Roads Military College,” says Skene.
Bob Becket became the 18th to be recognized by Royal Roads for distinguished service to the community in a way that reflects the university’s motto – living our learning.
The Langford fire chief and emergency program coordinator accepted a Chancellor’s Community Recognition Award at convocation, honouring not only his community work locally but extraordinary humanitarian efforts that have taken him outside of the country and into the world’s danger zones.
Beckett has been instrumental to the success of a cooperative effort between Rotary Clubs, the Canadian Military and the City of Langford and Langford Fire Rescue. Called Canadians Sending Afghanistan Firefighting Equipment (Can S.A.F.E.), the humanitarian effort has shipped donated firefighting equipment to Kabul and Kandahar since 2004. In 2008, Beckett and Langford Fire Rescue hosted a delegation of firefighters from Afghanistan to receive training, attend community events and accept more equipment donations.
Beckett, with assistance from the fire department and the West Shore Chamber of Commerce, also played a key role in establishing Langford’s now much-anticipated Santa Claus parade.
In accepting the award from Chancellor Peter Robinson, Beckett highlighted the importance of encouragement and support from his wife Laura and their children, adding:
“I also accept this award on behalf of all my friends, colleagues and volunteers whose hard work and tireless efforts ensure the success of our projects, both current and past. I can’t say enough about the support that I receive from Mayor Young and Council, members of Langford Fire Rescue, the Colwood Rotary Club and the Greater Victoria Community.”
Over 500 of 886 students graduating from Royal Roads University attended fall convocation this year. Of the total number of students graduating, 574 received degrees or certificates from graduate level programs and 312 from under-graduate level programs. Just over half were women; 11 were from First Nations communities; and 243 were from countries other than Canada including Argentina, Bangladesh, China, Israel, Mozambique, Philippines, Saudi Arabia and South Africa.
Fall 2008 convocation also marked the first time graduate certificates were awarded to students in two inaugural programs: Destination Development from the Faculty of Tourism and Hotel Management; and Environmental Practice from the Faculty of Social and Applied Sciences.
“It’s an honour and a privilege to have been a part of the journey that has transformed our exceptional graduates,” said university president Dr. Allan Cahoon. “By helping them find the skills and confidence they need to address challenges that shape our world, I am confident they are well-equipped now to take their place alongside role models such as the three remarkable individuals we honoured convocation.”
Chancellor's Community Recognition Award Recipient
|
Honorary Degree Recipient
|
Honorary Degree Recipient
|
