Convocation 2022
“I am so excited for the 2022 convocation, not only because it will be held in person for the first time since 2019, but more so because we have the joy of celebrating the many exceptional students who have completed their studies at St. Stephen’s.” --- Fred Tappenden, Principal and Dean
After a long hiatus from in-person celebrations, the Principal and Dean, Dr. Fred Tappenden, is delighted to invite you to attend the 98th Convocation of St. Stephen’s College. Please join us as we celebrate our graduating students and honorary degree and award recipients.
The ceremony will be held on November 7, 2022 at 7:30 pm at Convocation Hall at the University of Alberta. James Gurnett, this year’s recipient of the Doctor of Sacred Letters, will deliver the convocation address, titled, “Being a Transforming Agent in Society”.
St. Stephen’s is delighted to honour Dr. Jean Waters and Jim Gurnett as the 2022 recipients of the Order of St. Stephen’s College and the Doctor of Sacred Letters (respectively). In various ways, both Dr. Waters and Mr. Gurnett have made substantive and lasting contributions to the fields of mental and spiritual health, feminist theology, women’s spirituality, housing and homelessness, immigration/refugee services, and/or social services.
Following on her retirement from St. Stephen’s earlier this year, the College is excited to appoint Rev. Dr. Henriette Kelker to the honorary position, Faculty Emerita. Dr. Kelker is recognized for her 20+ years of academic service, museum research and studies, and applied pastoral ministry.
This year we will also celebrate the installation of the College’s incoming Chancellor, Michael Phair, and bid farewell to our outgoing Co-Chancellors, Colm and Lynda O'Carroll. Michael has committed his life to the promotion of equity, diversity, and hospitable inclusion for all peoples across a wide range of social and justice-based initiatives. We are thrilled to welcome him as the 9th Chancellor of St. Stephen’s College, and we are excited about the ways he will enrich our learning community. 
Juno award winning singer-songwriter Maria Dunn will be the musical guest at this year’s Convocation celebration. Maria is often compared to Woody Guthrie for her keen social awareness and unvarnished melodic songs about ordinary people. Her latest album Joyful Banner Blazing (2021) celebrates resilience, grace, gratitude, solidarity, joy, and the love that fires our actions to make the world a better place.
Photo credit: David Williamson
Online Grad Profiles
In the coming weeks, we will be posting Graduate Profiles of all 2022 grads to the College’s Convocation webpage. We invite you to stay tuned to our website and so you can read about and get to know many of the individuals graduating this year.
High Level Bridge Lit in St. Stephen’s Colours
Finally, as part of our celebrations this year, we have arranged with the City of Edmonton that the High Level Bridge (located just a few blocks from the College) will be illuminated on Sunday, November 6 with the colours of St. Stephen’s College. For those who are in Edmonton, we encourage you to take a drive that evening, enjoy the purple, green, and gold lights, and to bask in the glow of our graduating students’ successes.
Further details regarding the 98th Annual Convocation can be found on our Convocation Ceremony webpage.