Pomp and ceremony combines with celebration and laughter at Faculty of Law's Centenary Convocation, June 4, 2013

Graduating students at Law's Centenary Convocation, June 4, 2013

There was lots of joy, and probably some relief, to be found at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium in Edmonton on Tuesday, June 4, 2013, as the University of Alberta's Faculty of Law held its centenary convocation ceremony.

Law graduand, Adam Norgett, with family and friends, prior to the centenary convocation ceremony

Students and their families, past and present faculty, the judiciary, the wider legal community, and V.I.P. guests arrived early for the ceremony. There was already an air of excitement and nervous energy, as the crowds mingled in the Jubilee Auditorium lobby. Law students, graduating in only a few hours, greeted each other with smiles and hugs as their three long years of hard work and dedication were about to come to fruition.

The lobby was decked out in banners of gold and green, and featured a photographic display celebrating the 100^th year of the Faculty of Law, and celebrating the achievement of its graduates, faculty, and staff over that time period.

Law's centenary convocation lobby displays and banners

Once inside the Jubilee auditorium the crowd were treated to a selection of popular music, organized by successive decades. In celebration of the 100^th anniversary of the University of Alberta Faculty of Law, the Convocation Band, under the direction of Dr. Thomas Dust, performed selections representative of the popular music enjoyed by each successive generation of students from the early years of the 20^th century to the present. Tunes included a medley of vaudeville hits from the early 1900s, such as In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree, right up to Adele's Rolling in the Deep hit of 2010. The University of Alberta Cheer Song signalled the beginning of the convocation ceremony, and the platform party processed to the stage.

University of Alberta Faculty of Law the Convocation Band, under the direction of Dr. Thomas Dust

The ceremony itself was a balance of pomp and ceremony, alongside celebration and laughter. The convocation ceremony saw speeches from His Honour, Colonel (Retired) the Honourable Donald S. Ethell, OC OMM AOE MSC CD LLD, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta; Alison Redford, Premier of Alberta; alongside the University of Alberta and Faculty of Law representatives including Douglas Goss, Chair of the Board of Governors; Dr. Indira V. Samarasekera, President; Ralph Young, Chancellor; and Philip Bryden, Dean of Faculty of Law.

View of the U of A and Faculty of Law's centenary convocation platform party

During the ceremony the University of Alberta presented the Honourable Catherine Fraser, Chief Justice of Alberta and Northwest Territories (Alumna, Law Class of 1970) Honourary Doctor of Laws degree. Chief Justice Fraser transformed the judiciary by becoming an early female appointee to the bench, culminating in her appointment as the first woman chief justice in Canada. Adding to her list of firsts, in 1999 Fraser accepted the role as the first chief justice of the Nunavut Court of Appeal. An active member of the Canadian Judicial Council, she has also served on the board of governors of the National Judicial Institute. A staunch advocate for judicial education at home and abroad, she is widely respected for championing technological reforms in Alberta courts and introducing innovations to increase access to justice.

(l-r): Dr. Indira V. Samarasekera, President; His Honour, Colonel (Retired) the Honourable Donald S. Ethell, OC OMM AOE MSC CD LLD, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta; the Honourable Catherine Fraser, Chief Justice of Alberta and Northwest Territories; Douglas Goss, Chair of the Board of Governors; and Ralph Young, Chancellor.

Chief Justice Fraser gave an inspiring address to the seated graduands, noting the courage and breadth of imagination a young woman needed in the 1960s, despite the 'helping hand' offered by the then sweeping societal changes that brought in a greater equality, to become a lawyer, to practise law and to embrace the possibility of becoming the first female chief justice in Canada.

Speech by the U of A Honourary LL.D. recipient the Honourable Catherine Fraser, Chief Justice of Alberta and Northwest Territories

"For men and women graduates, the world remains a mystery," she said. "Unlocking that world is complex."

She urged the graduands to find a work-life balance, and to value family. She challenged them to be courageous and take risks, and to know that there will be as many ups in their life and careers as there will be downs, but to try and look on the positive side and learn from each of life's lessons.
Fraser closed her address by quoting from and riffing on the words of D. Seuss, supporting the six keys that she offered the audience in rhyme.

"Fight the battles you need, we're relying on you. We know that your courage will see you on through. Don't get sidetracked by those who would lead you astray. Speak truth to power; show others the way.

"Make time count as you leave your beloved uni behind. Never forget: this is your time to shine."

Leah McDaniel waiting to receive the 2012 - 2013 Horace Harvey Gold Medal, and was also the recipient of the Premier's Silver Medal

During the convocation ceremony Leah McDaniel, was awarded the 2012 - 2013 Horace Harvey Gold Medal, and was also the recipient of the Premier's Silver Medal, newly awarded to a top student in a non-direct entry undergraduate professional program such as law, medicine, and pharmacy. This is the second year that this medal has been awarded. It seems particularly fitting that a law graduate is the recipient of this honour in 2013, given the fact that it is the Faculty's centenary. This medal is the equivalent of the Governor Generals Silver Medal which has been historically awarded to top students in other undergraduate programs.

Premier Alison Redford introducing Leah McDaniel, 2012 - 2013 Horace Harvey Gold Medal recipient, and Premier's Silver Medal recipient

Premier Alison Redford awarding Leah McDaniel's the 2012 - 2013 Horace Harvey Gold Medal and the Premier's Silver Medal

Equally fitting, and adding to the sense of the occasion, was the presence of Premier Alison Redford, who alongside President Indira Samarasekera, awarded the Premier's Silver Medal to Leah. The 2012 - 2013 George Bligh O'Connor Silver Medal recipient was Kent Gislason, and the 2012 - 2013 Judges Bronze Medal recipient was Theodore Stathakos.

After the ceremony the Class of 2013 graduands and their guests were invited to mix and mingle with University of Alberta Law faculty, sessional instructors, staff, V.I.P guests, the judiciary, and the wider legal community, at a celebratory reception were the fine champagne disappeared first, followed closely by the delectable law centenary cupcakes, and finally the delicious hor d'oeuvres. The champagne and the laughter flowed well into the evening at the reception, as the law graduands bade a fond farewell to their student days and got ready to start their careers. The Faculty of Law wishes them the very best for their futures and looks forward to welcoming them into the law alumni family.