Athabasca University Convocation 2024 Program

JUNE 19-20, 2024

CEREMONY PROGRAM

JUNE 19

Procession

National Anthem

Welcome | Dr. Matthew Prineas, Provost and Vice-President Academic (Master of Ceremonies)

Offering | Dr. Alex Clark, President

Opening Prayer | Dr. Maria Campbell, Elder in Residence

Board of Governors Greeting | Byron Nelson, Board Chair

President’s Welcome | Dr. Alex Clark, President

Official Greetings | Reeve Brian Hall, Athabasca County

Honorary Degree Presentation | Dr. Shauna Zenteno, Dean, Faculty of Science and Technology

Honorary Doctor of Laws | Dr. Douglas J. Cardinal

The Petition | Dr. Matthew Prineas, Provost and Vice-President Academic

Invitation to Pledge | Dr. Alex Clark, President

Graduands Respond | I do so promise

The Admission | Byron Nelson, Board Chair

Presentation of Degrees | Faculty of Science and Technology

Musical Interlude | Brian A. Cardinal

Presentation of Degrees | Faculty of Health Disciplines

Presentation of Governor General’s Silver

Medal | Dr. Matthew Prineas, Provost and Vice-President Academic

Governor General’s Silver Medal

Recipient | Andrei Afilipoaei, Bachelor of Science with Great Distinction

Congratulatory Remarks | Dr. Alex Clark, President

Ribbon Story | Dr. Maria Campbell, Elder in Residence

Closing | Dr. Matthew Prineas, Provost and Vice-President Academic

Recession

JUNE 20

Procession

National Anthem

Welcome | Dr. Matthew Prineas, Provost and Vice-President Academic (Master of Ceremonies)

Offering | Dr. Alex Clark, President

Opening Prayer | Dr. Maria Campbell, Elder in Residence

Board of Governors Greeting | Byron Nelson, Board Chair

President’s Welcome | Dr. Alex Clark, President

Official Greetings | His Worship Robert Balay, Mayor of Athabasca

Order of Athabasca University Presentation

Introduction | Dr. Manijeh Mannani, Dean, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Recipient | Dr. Mike Gismondi, Professor Emeritus

Honorary Degree Presentation | Dr. Lisa Watson, Dean, Faculty of Business

Honorary Doctor of Laws | Esmail Bharwani

LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The Petition | Dr. Matthew Prineas, Provost and Vice-President Academic

Invitation to Pledge | Dr. Alex Clark, President

Graduands Respond | I do so promise

The Admission | Byron Nelson, Board Chair

Presentation of Degrees | Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Presentation of Degrees | Faculty of Business

Presentation of Governors General’s Gold Medal | Dr. Matthew Prineas, Provost and Vice-President Academic

Governor General’s Gold Medal Recipient | Dr. Rebecca Heiser, Doctor of Education in Distance Education

Congratulatory Remarks | Dr. Alex Clark, President

Ribbon Story | Dr. Maria Campbell, Elder in Residence

Closing | Dr. Matthew Prineas, Provost and Vice-President Academic Recession

Athabasca University respectfully acknowledges that we live and work on the Traditional Lands of the Indigenous Peoples (Inuit, First Nations, Métis) of Canada. We honour the ancestry, heritage, and gifts of the Indigenous Peoples and give thanks to them.

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Welcome to Athabasca University’s 2024 Convocation ceremony.

Each of our 2024 graduates has achieved something truly momentous. Today is a special day for us to celebrate together with our graduates and to look back, around, and forward.

Looking back, so much hard work and effort over the past years has led to each graduate’s success. Our best learning in life often comes in the hardest of places, from times that are challenging, unpredictable, and demanding. Each graduate’s success is testament to their perseverance, creativity, and learning, not only when this came easy, but especially when this was tough. Well done to each graduate for their amazing success; for your choices, attributes, and commitment that got you to this day.

Looking around, today our university comes together with graduates, families, and friends to celebrate. With AU team members, our university board and community members, we are delighted to celebrate convocation together again in our home community of Athabasca in Alberta, Canada. Take time to enjoy this beautiful part of the world and all of today’s celebrations on campus and in our region. It will be a truly memorable experience for so many of us.

Look around too, and pause to remember those who aren’t here. Whether in distant places or distant memories, so many people contribute to our journeys and successes over the course of our lives. To each graduate,

we especially encourage you to reflect and express thanks to, and for, those who helped you on your way.

At AU, under our new strategic plan, we will strive to make our highest contribution for a better and more equal world. We stand with each of today’s graduates too. We know you, our graduates, will continue that mission as you head out into the world, adding your highest contributions to your families, your workplaces, and your communities near and far. You’ve made us very proud today, and we want to continue to make you proud in the difference we will make together in the years ahead.

As AU looks forward, we recommit as a university to provide opportunity to ever more people, to widen access, and benefit communities like no other. We stand with passionate pride in our unique ability to span boundaries and borders across the globe from our campus in rural northern Alberta.

Congratulations to our 2024 graduates.

Sincerely, Dr. Alex Clark

President, Athabasca University

MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD

On behalf of the Board of Governors, congratulations to each of you, our 2024 Athabasca University graduates.

Firstly, as board chair, I want to share that this ceremony is the highlight of my year. To see each and every graduate cross the stage—to meet you, to see and share in your celebrations with your families, friends, and communities—is truly special.

Your graduation is indeed a wonderful life milestone. It reflects the perseverance and effort of every graduate: days, nights, evenings, and weekends.

Your success today reflects the efforts and support of those around you—families, friends, communities, and AU’s team members—to help you on your way. Well done everyone.

Your convocation today is the celebration of your educational journey and of the hard work and dedication you’ve devoted to your learning. It is not an end though, but a new beginning.

As you look to the opportunities that come from a university education and join our worldwide community of accomplished and proud AU alumni, remember what a difference you can make. While your learning will make a difference to you, the world needs the difference you’re going to make.

The world is in urgent need of the highest contributions of today’s graduates. Whether in health, business, humanities and social sciences, or science and technology, graduation is not the end but the beginning. It’s the start of the difference today’s graduates will make to communities near and far in roles, lives, and as AU alumni.

We welcome you to the ever-growing network of Athabasca University alumni across Alberta, Canada, and around the world, in urban, rural, remote, and Indigenous communities. I have every confidence that each of you will continue to model our AU values of trust, teamwork, growth, innovation, and authentic respect in your personal and professional lives.

This day is also special as it is our first in-person graduation in Athabasca, our home community, in five years. I hope you can take some time to appreciate the beauty around us on our wonderful campus, and the beauty of this moment as you celebrate.

All that is good about today can be longlasting. Please stay connected with Athabasca University as alumni and with your fellow graduates. Your careers will be long and your learning lifelong. You will be making your own highest contributions to your communities each and every day.

I wish you every success, and I look forward to connecting with you at future alumni events!

Sincerely,

Byron Nelson Chair, Board of Governors

of Athabasca University

HONORARY DOCTOR OF LAWS

Esmail Bharwani, a distinguished AU alum and philanthropist, will receive an Honorary Doctor of Laws for his contributions to post-secondary education in Alberta.

Through the Esmail Safana Farzana Fayaz Bharwani Foundation, he and his family have supported endowments that will help countless students improve their lives through education—in the same way he did.

As a young man in Tanzania, he took whatever jobs he could to support his parents and siblings while he saved what he could for his own education. He saved enough to pursue an accounting designation in England but nearly had to leave the program until his instructor helped him to get a job that allowed him to finish his education. That experience inspired a lifelong drive to help others.

“As I met more students in Tanzania, Kenya, England, Scotland, and Canada, I noticed a great appetite from others who sought education but who were held back because of lack of money,” he said. “Learning from my own example of achievements, I quickly realized that to improve the quality of life of people, they needed to be educated and not all are fortunate enough to have the necessary resources.”

ESMAIL BHARWANI

Dr. Douglas J. Cardinal, a prominent Canadian architect, will receive an Honorary Doctor of Laws to recognize his contributions to architecture and advocacy for Indigenous Peoples in Canada. His life’s work has been to create deeply personal buildings inspired by the natural world and Indigenous culture.

Born in Calgary, Cardinal drew early inspiration from natural features in the varied landscape of southern Alberta. The curvaceous, nonlinear style he developed is evident in his work, including many prominent designs across Canada that draw inspiration from the natural world: Northwestern Polytechnic in Grande Prairie, TELUS World of Science in Edmonton, St. Albert Place, the Canadian Museum of History in Ottawa, First Nations University in Regina, the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., and many others.

That connection to the natural world is a fundamental part of Cardinal’s design philosophy.

“As a child, I was taught to respect all life around me,” he said. “As a planner and architect, I strive to follow these teachings to create a better future for the next generations, so we learn to live in harmony and balance with this amazing blue planet, our Mother, the Earth.”

DR. DOUGLAS

J. CARDINAL

ORDER OF ATHABASCA UNIVERSITY

Dr. Mike Gismondi, AU professor emeritus and co-founder of the Synergia Cooperative Institute, will be inducted into the Order of Athabasca University. This is awarded to people who have rendered exemplary service to AU, the community, or society while representing the university.

Although Gismondi retired from his role as professor of sociology and global studies at AU in 2020, his contributions to higher education continued.

He cofounded the Synergia Cooperative Institute, which offers the free, open, online course, Toward Co-operative Commonwealth: Transition in a Perilous Century, now in its sixth offering. This accomplishment builds on his many contributions to AU during his three decades as professor in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, including founding the Master of Arts in Integrated Studies (MAIS) program.

As a longtime resident of Athabasca, Gismondi has also made invaluable contributions to the community, including as an activist and as town councillor, a role he held for nearly a decade. He currently works in several volunteer roles in the community, continuing to believe in mutual aid and collective empowerment.

“Who you meet will bring you as far as degrees. I came to AU on a friend’s call, then I fought a pulp mill, taught green practices in Asia and Latin America, started a global educational co-op and the MAIS program, interpreted Athabasca heritage, sat on town council, and on,” he said. “May public engagement and social responsibility guide you.”

DR. MIKE GISMONDI

Thank you to the honorary degree and awards selection committee for their support and diverse perspectives in selecting this year’s recipients.

CONVOCATION 2023/2024 SCHOLARSHIPS

DOCTORATE DEGREES

Doctor of Education in Distance Education

Jean Smith

Rebecca Heiser

Doctor of Business Administration

Brenda Kennedy

MASTER DEGREES

Master of Business Administration

Daniel Clement

Master of Education in Open, Digital, and Distance Education

Bradley Skeet

Master of Health Studies

Kristen Hovet

Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies

Allison Compton

Master of Nursing

Laura Roth

Master of Science in Information Systems

Abeba Yitbarek

Rayees Khan

Master of Counselling

Diana Magallon

Meghan Odsen

Kira Peck

These scholarships are awarded annually to the graduating students with the highest grade point average in a specific number of Athabasca University credits from each degree, diploma, or certificate designation.

GRADUATE DIPLOMA/ CERTIFICATES

Graduate in Certificate Information Technology Management

Devon Keys

Graduate Certificate in Technology-Based Learning

Alexandria Vervloet

Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design

Tegan Hickie

Carla Yeaman

Jillian Fogarty

Graduate Certificate in Information Security

Ping Mao

Graduate Diploma in Distance Education Technology

Jesse Pitre

Brenna Trimble

Graduate Diploma in Instructional Design

Allona Sund

Lama Musa

Graduate Diploma in Legislative Drafting

Tracy Kabyn

Graduate Diploma in Management

Edwin Powell

Marnie Lightfoot

Graduate Diploma in Leadership and Management

Janice Day

Post-Master’s Diploma –Nurse Practitioner

Jagmeet Singh

Post-Master’s Certificate in Counselling

Kyla Jepson

BACHELOR DEGREES

Bachelor of Arts

Aleksandra Juchniewicz

Bachelor of General Studies

Daniel Smith

Bachelor of Nursing

Megan Newby

Bachelor of Science

Andrei Afilipoaei

Bachelor of Commerce

Jesse Rashotte

Bachelor of Management

Evelyn Lucsanszky

Bachelor of Professional Arts

Alexandra Barkwell

Bachelor of Health Administration

Amy Soucy

Bachelor of Human Resources and Labour Relations

Kelly Kilgour

UNIVERSITY DIPLOMAS

University Diploma in Arts

Deborah Plouffe

UNIVERSITY CERTIFICATES

Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Inclusive Education

Reagan Josephison

University Certificate in Accounting

Lisa Giesbrecht

University Certificate in Advanced Accounting

Stacey LaJambe

University Certificate in Computers and Management Informations Systems

Ryan Geurts

University Certificate in Computing and Information Systems

Xiangyu Ma

University Certificate in Counselling Women

Lea Kiefer

University Certificate in Finance

Greg Donaldson

University Certificate in French Language Proficiency

Joel Assens

University Certificate in Heritage Resource Management

Chad Tuppert

University Certificate in Human Resources and Labour Relations

Lindsay MacLeod

University Certificate in Management Applications

Eric Hodge

University Certificate in Management Foundations

Christine Olson

University Certificate in Public Administration

William Detlor

2024 GOLD MEDAL RECIPIENT

Rebecca Heiser (Doctor of Education in Distance Education ’24) Charlotte, NC

Rebecca E. Heiser is dedicated to advancing distance education through research and designing accessible, relevant, and meaningful learning experiences. She recognizes that cultures and value systems travel through communication technologies to enhance learning for all. With a background in instructional design and a dedication to open access for lifelong learning, Rebecca uses diverse methodologies to understand the factors that shape learning outcomes and effectiveness in online and distance education. For her dissertation, she completed three manuscripts—a first at AU—and all were published in peer-reviewed journals. This work contributes to the knowledge for assessing quality in open, online, and distance education in the internationalization of higher education.

Throughout her academic journey, Rebecca has demonstrated a passion for scholarly inquiry and a commitment to bridging theory with practice. Her leadership roles and collaborative partnerships aim to inform state, federal, and international policy, and contribute to the dynamic evolution of distance education. As an editor with the American Journal of Distance Education, she continues to make significant contributions to the field. Her dedication has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the Governor General’s Gold Medal, Excellence in Research Award, Wayne Perry Ed.D Student Research Award, and a Vanier Scholar nomination at Athabasca University.

GOVERNOR GENERAL’S GOLD AND SILVER MEDALS

The Governor General’s Academic Medals were created in 1873 by Lord Dufferin, Canada’s third Governor General, to commemorate outstanding academic achievement on a national scale. Students who achieve the highest average are eligible to be recognized with a Governor General’s medal.

2024 SILVER MEDAL RECIPIENT

Andrei Afilipoaei (Bachelor of Science ’23) Calgary, AB

Andrei Afilipoaei was born and raised in Calgary, Alta. From a young age, he was always interested in science and mathematics, sports, and the outdoors. Throughout his youth, he participated in multiple national and international mathematics competitions with great success, and played high-performance tennis in Canada, the United States, and Europe. After graduating high school, Andrei went on to study applied mathematics at Athabasca University, where he discovered his love of economics and finance.

During his time at AU, Andrei began to study economics in both coursework and extracurricular activities and was especially influenced by Adam Smith’s seminal work The Wealth of Nations. He has also sought to combine his knowledge of mathematics

with his interest in economics and monetary theory. He co-wrote a behavioural mathematical model that describes the development of asset bubbles in the housing market with Dr. Gustavo Carrero, which has been published in a peer-reviewed journal. Andrei is interested in how history, politics, and economics are interrelated on the national and global scale.

Andrei graduated from Athabasca University with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics (Finance Management Minor), and is currently in the master of science program in modelling, data, and predictions at the University of Alberta.

ACADEMIC REGALIA

The colour of the lining or trim on a graduand’s hood distinguishes their degree. As part of the official regalia, AU graduands also don a black cap and tassel. Graduands from certificate or diploma programs wear a standard, plain black graduation gown with a black cap and tassel.

BACHELOR’S DEGREES

MASTER’S DEGREES

DOCTORATES

Doctoral gowns are black, Cambridge-style gowns accented with the colours from AU’s Coat of Arms. The full sleeves end at a point and are turned back to the elbow to reveal the blue lining of the bell. In the Oxford pattern, the hoods are either spruce green and blue or blue lined with gold. Standard black Tudor hats are worn straight above the brow.

Bachelor of Arts FUCHSIA

Bachelor of Commerce BURGUNDY

Bachelor of General Studies GREEN

Bachelor of Health Administration GREEN

Bachelor of Human Resources and Labour Relations TAUPE

Bachelor of Management TAUPE

Bachelor of Nursing LIGHT BLUE

Bachelor of Professional Arts RED

Bachelor of Science GOLD/ YELLOW

Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies WHITE

Master of Business Administration ROYAL BLUE

Master of Counselling SMOKE BLUE

Master of Education in Open, Digital, and Distance Education ROYAL BLUE/ GREEN

Doctor of Education in Distance Education

Doctor of Business Administration

THE RIBBONS

The four colours of these ribbons—white, yellow, rose, and blue/black—represent the four seasons, the four parts of our being (spiritual, mental, physical, and emotional), the four hills of life, and the four directions.

This gift of ribbons is given to the graduates, as we honour and pay respect to the hard work they put into their education.

Elder in Residence Dr. Maria Campbell, as part of her teachings, uses the following colours to represent these elements:

WHITE IS FOR THE NORTH

The season of Winter, old age, and the White Bear. It is a time of achievement, knowledge, and understanding.

ROSE IS FOR THE EAST

The season of Spring, babies and children, and the place of Red Bear. The time for new life and where we envision and plan for our future.

YELLOW IS FOR THE SOUTH

The season of Summer, adolescence, and young adulthood. The place of the Yellow Bear and a time of growth and hard work.

BLUE OR BLACK IS FOR THE WEST

The season of Autumn, mature adulthood, and the Black Bear. It is a time for reflection, dreaming, prayers, and harvest.

Bears are protectors of family and community and they are the medicine keepers. As we travel through each direction, we honour and respect all of wahkohtowin—the Cree law governing relationships to all things in our world—to the living and dead, animate and inanimate, spiritual, and physical beings.

As part of Athabasca University’s conciliation efforts with Indigenous Peoples, a gift of ribbons is given to graduates of Athabasca University. Historically, different coloured sticks were used as offerings in ceremonies but those were eventually replaced by cloth and ribbons. Elder in Residence Dr. Maria Campbell uses ribbons as offerings as part of this convocation ceremony.

With these ribbons, we honour our graduates’ path to knowledge and hard work they’ve done. We wish for them to have a balanced life in all of their being—spiritual, mental, physical, and emotional—on their path towards miyo-pimatisiwin, the good life.

Our best wishes to the Class of 2024.

UNIVERSITY MACE

Created by Brian Clark, the University Mace is symbolic of the traditional talking stick commonly used by many Indigenous Peoples to express authority and power of the group.

The component parts of the mace were selected based on the artist’s perception of the wildlife that Indigenous Peoples in Alberta regard as being the most powerful and worthy of respect.

• The base is moose horn, chosen because of the way the moose feeds low for strength yet stands tall and strong in its domain.

• The shaft is pine and fir, fully twisted, challenging all directions at once.

• The bear claws reflect the balance of power by the strongest in nature.

• The bear teeth represent wisdom and solidarity.

• The arrowhead represents firmness and counsel.

• The stone eagle’s head represents guidance and spirit.

• The eagle and raven feathers represent mobility and wariness.

• The beads represent the human element, so lightly attached to nature.

COAT OF ARMS

On August 15, 2011, Athabasca University received official armorial bearings from the Canadian Heraldic Authority. The main elements on the coat of arms include:

Shield

AU’s founding colours were blue and green. The central white sections, known as a Canadian pale, is taken from the Canadian flag and here represents an open gate, symbolizing AU’s commitment to accessibility in education. The green triangle represents a spruce tree (and by association, central and northern Alberta), the letter “A,” and the idea of striving upward.

Crest

The bear is both courageous and nurturing and is a significant spirit helper in Woodland Cree culture. It represents the West as well as wisdom and knowledge. The bear is holding the AU mace, which symbolizes the authority of the university.

Motto

AU’s motto, Learning for Life, is displayed beneath the shield in the compartment section of the coat of arms, surrounded by poplar leaves, another central Alberta regional reference.

Supporters

The supporters on either side of the shield are depicted as eagles or hawks, which are also represented in the AU mace. Eagles symbolize strength and prowess and are known for their wisdom. Taken as a whole, the coat of arms represents AU on several levels, referencing its central/northern Alberta location and reflecting its strength, openness, tradition, history, and wisdom.

Scan the code to learn more about the mace.

CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES ON BEHALF OF THE TOWN AND COUNTY OF ATHABASCA

Congratulations Athabasca University grads!

On behalf of the town and county of Athabasca, welcome to our home community. We are excited to have convocation return to Athabasca and to celebrate your success and hard work together, in person, in the heart of our community.

Generations of our community members have worked and learned at AU, growing the region as AU grows. We take pride in supporting AU’s amazing students to meet their goals and dreams—in our region, throughout the province, across Canada, and around the world—all from our home community.

We celebrate this day with you and beside you. Convocation is the culmination of all the hard work and dedication you’ve devoted to your studies. We applaud your success and share in your excitement.

Whether or not you are able to join us in Athabasca for this year’s convocation, know that you are welcome here at any time. We wish you every success, and look forward to seeing you in the region as a member of our broader AU and Athabasca community.

Sincerely,

Robert Balay Mayor, Town of Athabasca

Brian Hall Reeve, Athabasca County

ROBERT BALAY

BRIAN HALL

Our alumni are boldly moving to innovate, change, lead, advocate, and build to make the world a better and more equal place—and now it’s your turn.

As you embark on this new chapter, we hope that you continue your lifelong learning journey, embrace the opportunities that come your way, stay connected with your fellow alumni, and continue to make a positive impact in your community.

Congratulations and welcome to the AU alumni community.

AU Alumni Engagement

athabascau.ca/alumni

check out a full list of graduates, congratulatory