By Вen Li
It’s convocation week at the University of Calgary as approximately 4,000 students receive their degrees.
Festivities started on Mon., June 10, 2002 with U of C President Harvey Weingarten’s opening remarks in the Jack Simpson Gymnasium.
"We are a university with more commitment than history, more future than past," he said to graduates and guests. "And like the City of Calgary, the U of C is more interested in where it is going than where it has been."
Weingarten reminded graduates their potential is unlimited and encouraged graduates to achieve.
"Moderate success is not good enough," he said. "Not good enough for the university, not good enough for the City of Calgary, and it’s certainly not good enough for you, our graduates."
Weingarten also honoured long-time Registrar Gary Krivy at the Monday convocation by asking the Chancellor to admit Krivy to the Order of the University of Calgary.
"Gary Krivy’s career at the U of C spans over 35 years," said Weingarten. "This institutional expert’s encyclopedic knowledge of academic rules and regulations has become indispensable. As a colleague and a mentor, he has been greatly valued."
Krivy thanked the university for the honour, and thanked his family, friends and staff in the registrar’s office for their support.
"When I started as a summer student at the registrar’s office in 1965, I never thought I would stand in front of you 37 years later to receive this honour," he said. "I was very fortunate to have a job that I loved."
Krivy encouraged the graduates to find jobs they love.
Also present at the ceremonies was former Reform Party leader Preston Manning who was conferred an honourary Doctorate of Laws degree for his contributions to Canadian politics.
University Orator Alan H. MacDonald presented Manning to the convocation.
"Meaningful changes require thoughtful and committed systems infused with vision and engaged in the issues of the day," he said. "A successful reformer keeps his eyes on the stars and his feet firmly planted on the ground. Such is Preston Manning."
Manning also gave the convocation address.
"I want to thank the U of C for presenting me with this honour," he said. "It is especially meaningful for my family and because this was the university that all five of our children have attended and because this was the first university in the country to take the Reform Party seriously."
Manning focused on the importance of education in our knowledge- based society and economy.
"It may seem hot-headed for me to remind all of you of the value of a university education but the generation of Canadians that places the highest value on such an education is not mine or the very young, but the generation that missed the opportunity for higher education or had it interrupted by the depression or war."