The mandate to lead this celebration was entrusted to Lucille Mandin and David Vergote. They recalled that Cérémonie de la Lumière was full of symbolism. "First, light is a symbol of creation, knowledge and purification. Then the aspect of 'transition', symbol of the end of one chapter and the beginning of another," they said.
The Dean of the francophone faculty, Pierre-Yves Mocquais, delivered the first speech. ''Today, you graduates of the 2016 class, as you prepare to fly to other horizons, you will pass the torch to those following you, inviting them over to follow in your footsteps and continue the course in which you are engaged, to reaffirm and celebrate French language, linguistic duality, and Canadian identity,'' he argued.
"For some of you, this will be to further your studies at a higher level, Master's level and perhaps at Doctorate level. For others, it will be looking for a job and starting to contribute to the Canadian society that is as unique as each of you is. If I may put it this way, you are 'one of a kind' with a university degree in French, you are also bilingual in a part of Canada where your types are not easy to come by. With regards to this, you are unique and have an edge on your peers, that you must not forget,'' he added.
The Dean recalled that the graduates enjoyed a unique experience, that of having studied at the University of Alberta, one of the 100 best universities in the world and one of the five best universities in Canada while living this experience in the intimate setting of a French academic institution both united and diversified.
"So you complete this stage of your life with undeniable advantages, that of holding a diploma that is recognized nationally and internationally, that of mastering the two Official Languages of Canada, that of broadening your knowledge and know-how in a setting that promotes intercultural relations and mutual understanding, and that of becoming aware of the needs of the world beyond your community, the world as you know is fast changing,'' says the Dean, Pierre-Yves Mocquais.
The dean invited them to be proud. "Be proud, as I am, as we all are, of your university career here in Saint-Jean. Look to your left and to your right, just like you, the 100 graduates of Campus Saint-Jean of this year will forever remain members of this great family of Saint-Jean. Look behind you and celebrate your parents and family members without whom you would not have been able to accomplish what you started when you set foot for the first time at Campus Saint-Jean,'' he says.
Even though they have completed their studies, they will be forever connected to Saint-Jean. "As of now, as alumni, you become ambassadors of your francophone faculty! Be proud of your academic achievements and do not be afraid to say that you studied at Campus Saint-Jean of the University of Alberta. A unique campus around which radiates a beautiful and great international family,'' says Mr. Mocquais.
This presentation was followed by a speech by Randy Boissonnault, MP for Edmonton Centre and Parliamentary Secretary to the federal Minister of Canadian Heritage. A former student of Campus Saint- Jean, Mr. Boissonnault invited the graduates to go after their goals. To do this, he asked them to make a list of 5 to 7 goals or dreams to achieve in 10 years. It is in doing this exercise that he had set the goals of making an ''Iron'' man and becoming a parliamentarian, two things he achieved in recent years.
Passing on the light
New at this year's edition of Cérémonie de la Lumière, four graduates of Campus Saint- Jean ( Loubna Laaouad Laure Tiepo, Alex Wren Schoeddert and Ellis) lit a candle which they passed on to four other students ( Moses Kamba, Djeneba Coulibali, Daniella Ngaleu Tchamtcheu and Adam Brown) who are continuing their studies in CJS this coming fall.
This symbolic act was to transmit the lit light from the graduating batch to the next batch. Thus they passed on the sacred fire of Saint-Jean, a sacred fire that has been passed from one batch to the next since 1908, year of the creation of the institution.
After this ritual, the graduates were called on stage one by one to receive handshakes of congratulations from the Dean and the representative of their section. They then signed the official record and received a gift from Campus Saint- Jean.
After sharing a light snack, graduates and their families then headed to their "graduation party".