To the engineering graduates of Spring 2012: we congratulate you. This has been a tremendous year for our community, and it culminates with your remarkable achievement as our graduating class.
All members of our faculty, staff and alumni take enormous pride in this day. We stand with your loved ones when we say that we are incredibly proud of you. For your parents, families, friends, spouses and partners, this day is a fulfillment of their anticipation and immeasurable support. I join you in thanking them for their encouragement and belief in you over the last few years.
This spring, 950 undergraduates and 189 graduate students earn degrees (77 receive MEng degrees, 57 obtain MASc degrees and 55 earn PhD degrees). Each of you will leave Convocation Hall and enter a world that is ready for you to make a difference. A world that will look to you for the same dedication, determination and enthusiasm that you displayed during your time here. A world that is also eager for your boundless ideas, imagination and expertise.
As U of T Engineers, you are well prepared to meet and exceed these expectations. You will be at the forefront of solving some of the most pressing global problems. Your innovations will have a profound impact on industry, government and society, as you embrace diversity and work collaboratively with others. Through collaboration, we have so much to teach and learn as we work together to keep our society healthy, sustainable and prosperous.
In keeping with this spirit of excellence in engineering, our convocation ceremonies will be honouring two highly respected leaders from industry. Like you, they were once U of T Engineering students.
At the 10 am ceremony, our Honorary Graduand will be Mr. Pierre Rivard (MEng MechE 9T4), an international trailblazer in energy technologies and CEO of Magenn Power.
At the 2:30 pm ceremony , we will honour Dr. Phillip (Rocky) Simmons (ChemE 6T4, MASc 6T5, PhD 6T9), a world-renowned expert in water treatment and chemical recovery systems and President and CEO of Eco-Tec Limited.
Following each ceremony, the celebration will continue with a reception in the Great Hall at Hart House.
You will soon be members of the engineering profession, and the opportunities ahead of you are boundless. Along with your engineering degrees, you will carry forward the knowledge and experience you gathered at U of T to drive innovation and serve our global community.
So, on behalf of all of our faculty, staff and alumni, please accept our warm wishes for a rewarding career. I encourage you to look back at your years here with great pride and assurance that U of T Engineering will always be with you as you step into your future.
Cristina Amon, Dean
Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering
University of Toronto
Watch the archived webcasts here and view our convocation photo essay here.
Honorary Graduand Biographies:
Mr. Pierre Rivard (MEng MechE 9T4), CEO of Magenn Power
Dr. Phillip (Rocky) Simmons (ChemE 6T4, MASc 6T5, PhD 6T9), President and CEO of Eco-Tec Limited
For more information about Convocation 2012, please visit the Office of Convocation.
