A time to celebrate

(Dalhousie Photography Services)

During three convocation ceremonies on the weekend, the Dalhousie Arts Centre will be a sea of glossy satin. In a century-old tradition at Dalhousie, 900 graduates wearing the colours of their faculties and departments will file into the auditorium and await their turn to cross the stage and accept their parchments.

Convocation is a Latin term meaning Òcalling together.” The ceremony was developed as a way to welcome students into an exclusive group of scholars while honouring them for successfully completing their degrees.

At the ceremony on Saturday morning, Dalhousie will welcome its 100,000th graduate into that exclusive group Ñ a group comprising several provincial premiers, politicians of every stripe, judges, lawyers, architects, engineers, musicians, writers and 85 Rhodes Scholars.

The milestone comes 140 years after Dalhousie awarded its first two Bachelor of Arts degrees to Joseph Henry Chase and Robert Shaw in 1866. The first woman, Margaret Florence Newcombe, graduated with a BA in 1885, and the first black graduate, James Robinson Johnston, graduated with a law degree in 1896.

Weekend ceremonies will also see the entry of three accomplished Canadians to another distinguished group: that of DalhousieÕs honorary degree recipients.

On Saturday morning, Halifax ophthalmologist Dr. Vincent Audain will be honored. Dr. AudainÕs tireless efforts resulted in the establishment of an eye-care centre in his native St. Kitts-Nevis. Before the centre was opened in Nov. 2001, patients from the Caribbean islands faced blindness for diseases they could not afford to have treated.

At the Saturday afternoon ceremony, one of CanadaÕs most creative and accomplished scientists, Dr. Tito Scaiano, will be recognized. Professor ScaianoÕs research has led to the development of better sunscreens and anti-inflammatory drugs.

And, on Sunday, James Balsillie takes a turn in the spotlight. Balsillie is the co-CEO of Research in Motion Ñ maker of the BlackBerry Ñ which just expanded operations to Halifax. Balsillie made headlines earlier this month when he became the new owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins.