October 23, 2007

Dean Paul Shaker and Flora Asp, who traveled from the Yukon to

receive her Master’s Degree pose with her mother, Christine Baxter.

It was only fitting that 488 Education students received their various undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate degrees, diplomas and certificates on a spectacular fall afternoon.  In a ceremony led by SFU President, Dr. Michael Stevenson and Chancellor Dr. Brandt Louie, faculty, staff, students and their families joined in the proud ceremony recognizing the accomplishments and achievements of this graduating class.  Amongst the students were nine graduates who traveled all the way from Whitehorse, Yukon, where they completed the two year Master’s of Education degree under a program developed specifically for the community-based location.

Dr. Sharon Wahl, who received her Doctoral degree, gave the graduand address.  A long time Education faculty associate and staff member, Dr. Wahl noted that representing her fellow students in the ceremony was a daunting task, which she accepted with great honor and humility. “As I looked over the sea of blue, I felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment by the students and their families that was both humbling and touching,” she said.

Professional Development Program certificates were also awarded to 294 students in an evening ceremony earlier in the week. Dean Paul Shaker gave a very personal keynote speech in which he recognized the end of his career as an educator and the beginning of the students’. He spoke of the need to think of themselves not simply as “transmitting existing knowledge and perpetuating societal values” but as those entrusted with inspiring inquiry, imagination, vision and the constant reconstruction of experience and knowledge.

Congratulations to all graduates, you join a vast community of SFU alumni whom you will encounter as teachers, administrators, leaders in education and, hopefully, mentors.

For complete transcripts of Dean Shaker’s PDP Graduation address, click here.

For complete transcripts of Dean Shaker’s Education Convocation ceremony address, click here.

To read the Vancouver Sun article on Dean Shaker's address, click here.

To view the photo gallery, click here.