Brock University’s spring convocation will begin with an historic moment next week, as Lesley Rigg is installed as the university’s seventh president and vice-chancellor.
The milestone ceremony on Monday, June 12 at 10 a.m. will kick off the five-day celebration that will see about 3,500 graduates from seven faculties receive their degrees, the university said in a news release.
Brock’s 113th Convocation includes nine ceremonies from June 12 to 16, taking place at 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. each day (except for Friday, June 16, when a morning ceremony is scheduled).
Although Rigg began her five-year term as university president on Nov. 1, the ceremonial instalment always takes place during the first ceremony of the spring or fall convocation that follows a president’s start date.
An accomplished academic leader, research scientist and professor, Rigg joined Brock after previously serving as vice-president (research) and professor of geography at Western University in London.
Rigg succeeds past Brock presidents James Gibson (1965-1973), Alan Earp (1973-1988), Terrence White (1988-1997), David Atkinson (1997-2005), Jack Lightstone (2007-2016) and Gervan Fearon (2017-2021).
In addition to the president’s installation, spring convocation will also see the university bestow honorary degrees upon three "accomplished and impactful leaders" who’ve made their mark in their respective fields.
Deborah Rosati (BAdmin ’84), corporate governance champion and founder and CEO of Women Get On Board Inc., and Jenn Harper, an Indigenous entrepreneur and founder and CEO of Cheekbone Beauty Cosmetics Inc., will receive their honorary doctorates on Tuesday, June 13, at ceremonies held at 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., respectively.
On Wednesday, June 14 at 2:30 p.m., Brock will honour Kyle Dubas (BSM ’07), a professional sports executive who is now president of hockey operations for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Each honorary degree recipient will deliver a convocation address to the graduating class.
All spring convocation ceremonies take place in the Ian D. Beddis Gymnasium of Brock’s Walker Sports Complex and will be livestreamed online at brocku.ca/livestream
Tickets will not be required to attend, but there is a two-guest limit per grad and all guests will be required to check-in prior to entering the ceremony. Guests are encouraged to have the name and student identification number of the graduating student they’re celebrating present at check-in.
Free parking will be available throughout Convocation Week in Zone 1. If this lot is full, follow signage to Zone 2 for overflow parking.
For more information about Brock’s Spring Convocation, visit brocku.ca/convocation
