The 42nd Loyalist College Convocation Ceremonies Draw to a Close With Guest Speaker Wilfrid J. Wilkinson
The third Loyalist College Convocation ceremony for 2009 was held on Friday, June 12 for 851 graduating students in the Schools of Media Studies, Architecture and Building Sciences, and Skills Training and Continuing Education. The ceremony’s guest speaker was Wilfrid J. Wilkinson. Mr. Wilkinson is a Past Chair of the Board of Loyalist College, and serves as an Honorary Director of the Loyalist College Foundation.
His humanitarian efforts have had an impact on the local community and internationally. A Rotarian since 1962, he served as President of Rotary International from 2007 until 2008. As a member of the International Polio Committee, Mr. Wilkinson has been dedicated to the global effort to eradicate polio. He has also been a Health, Hunger and Humanity program volunteer to India. Mr. Wilkinson has been recognized for his humanitarian service by the Knights of Columbus, the Province of Ontario, the Government of Canada, and in 2001 was honoured by Pope John Paul II with the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal. In 2007, the Governor General of Canada appointed him as a Member of the Order of Canada, Canada’s highest civilian honour. He is also the recipient of many Rotary honours, including the Citation for Meritorious Service, The International Service Award for a Polio-Free World, the Distinguished Service Award and Service Above Self Award.
“What I will do is challenge you,” Mr. Wilkinson said to the graduates. “The largest number of you will be seeking employment in the positions that you have been trained to handle here at the college. Will you get that perfect opportunity immediately? Probably not, but I promise you, if you keep working and improving yourselves, mentally and physically, success will come. The challenge is not to get discouraged but to remain positive. You can do it. Your professors tell me you can do it. Your province, your country and the whole world is counting on you to do it.”
Board Chair Margaret Werkhoven presented Mr. Wilkinson with an Honorary Diploma in recognition of his outstanding humanitarian efforts and his long and distinguished service to the College.
Media Contact: Marilyn Warren, Communications, Loyalist College, (613) 969-1913, ext. 2332; e-mail: mwarren@loyalistc.on.ca