Class of 2020 can revisit the Faculty’s virtual convocation celebration online

Members of the Class of 2020 from the University of Alberta Faculty of Law celebrated with each other during a virtual event on June 17, which is now available on YouTube.

The hour-long live stream was MC’d by Interim Dean David R. Percy, QC, and featured three surprise guests who attended via pre-taped video — Justices Russell Brown and Sheilah Martin of the Supreme Court of Canada, and Steve McDiarmid, beloved proprietor of the Faculty of Law’s Hello My Friend Cafe.

Since this year, due to COVID-19’s physical distancing protocols, convocants were unable to walk across the stage of the Jubilee Auditorium in caps and gowns to receive their degrees, the Faculty’s virtual convocation included an announcement of each convocant’s name and hometown.

The event also included messages from Chancellor Douglas Stollery, ‘76 LLB, and from Randal Carlson, ‘98 LLB, president of Alumni & Friends of the Faculty of Law; a live greeting and promise from Professor Barbara Billingsley, the incoming dean of law; a montage of photo memories; and congratulatory messages from faculty and staff.

One of the celebration’s most emotional highlights was a three-part address from Tunahan Uygun, ‘20 JD, the outgoing president of the Law Students’ Association. In addition to thanking families, faculty and staff, and expressing his gratitude, love and admiration for his classmates, Uygun challenged the Class of 2020 to become the generation of lawyers that dismantles systemic racism and eradicates the anguish it causes.