Convocation 2012

Thousands of UVic students and their families and friends will gather on campus this month to celebrate the achievement of an academic milestone. During Spring Convocation, from June 11-15, the University of Victoria will award 3,358 degrees, diplomas and certificates. Congratulations and best wishes to all convocating students. The ceremonies will be webcast live at www.uvic.ca/resources/convocation.

In the stories linked from below, we profile our honorary degree recipients and some of the many outstanding members of this year's graduating class.

MAJOR MEDAL WINNERS

• Governor General's Gold Medal
 (top PhD, all faculties)
: Dr. Haytham El Miligi, Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Governor General's Silver Medal (top undergraduate, all faculties)
: Jesse Short-Gershman, Mathematics
• Lieutenant Governor's Silver Medal
 (top master's thesis, all faculties)
: Jessica Simpson Nathan, Biology
• Lieutenant Governor's Silver Medal
 (top master's other than thesis, all faculties)
: Kita Douglas, English
• Jubilee Medal for Humanities
: Theresa Leask, Applied Linguistics
• Jubilee Medal for Science: Kevin Hildebrand, Physics and Mathematics
• Jubilee Medal for Social Sciences
: Rhonda Geres-Smith, Psychology
• Maxwell A. Cameron Memorial Award (Elementary Education): Rose Doerksen
• Maxwell A. Cameron Memorial Award (Secondary Education): Chloe Faught
• Canadian Society for Mechanical 
Engineering Medal: Geoffrey Burton, Mechanical Engineering (co-op)
• Department of Computer Science 
Graduation Medal
: Daniel Sanders, Computer Science (co-op)
• IEEE Victoria Section Gold Medal 
in Computer Engineering: Kristopher Koiner, Computer Engineering (co-op)
• IEEE Victoria Section Gold Medal 
in Electrical Engineering
: Brendan Morgan, Electrical Engineering (co-op)
• IEEE Victoria Section Gold Medal 
in Software Engineering: Julie Sparrow, Software Engineering (co-op)
• Law Society Gold Medal and Prize: Mila Shah, Law
• Victoria Medal in Fine Arts: Laura Neelin, History in Art
• Certificate of Outstanding Academic Distinction in Human and Social Development: Paul Payne, Health Information Science

Criteria for convocation awards: http://bit.ly/j31GFH

HONORARY DEGREE RECIPIENTS

• Grand Chief Edward John, leader dedicated to improving the lives of Indigenous people
• Dr. David Sanborn Scott, pioneer in hydrogen energy and integrated energy systems
  
• Dr. Henry Shimizu, distinguished physician, artist and former chair of the Japanese Canadian Redress Foundation
  
• Anne Wheeler,celebrated filmmaker whose works portray female strength of character
  
• Jody Paterson, journalist and advocate for action on social justice issues including homelessness, drug addiction and the rights of sex workers
  

ADDITIONAL PROFILES OF GRADUATING STUDENTS

• Frances Backhouse, MFA grad who's researched and written on the beaver as a history-maker, landscape shaper and national symbol
• Assem Dandashly, peripatetic political science PhD grad from Lebanon who studies the European Community
• Courtney Burrell, Medieval studies grad who's studied elves in Iceland
• Laura Mitic, history and environmental studies grad is a Vikes cross-country star and member of the band "Carmanah"
• Alexander "Quinn" Matthews, top medical physics grad who's made a major contribution to cancer research
• Ann Brydle, English/professional writing grad champions higher education for those who face economic and social barriers
• Michelle Cox, kinesiology grad whose co-op work terms helped affirm her career choice
• Ma&e#180;va Gauthier, Earth and Ocean Sciences master's grad whos elove of the ocean has taken her to both the arctic and antarctic
• David Bartle, master's in comnputer science grad who's created videogamnes to heklp kids with ADHD and FASD
• Jessica Dickson, master's in dispute resolution grad working with First Nations
• Sunil Mysore, MBA grad from India who's always willing to help out