On the last weekend in April, 431 graduands, along with their family members and Trinity Western staff and faculty, gathered together to celebrate TWU’s 2013 Commencement.
With 2013 seeing one of the University’s largest-ever classes, it was standing room only during the morning ceremony—which was held for graduands of TWU’s Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, School of Arts, Media and Culture, and Adult Degree Completion Program. Harold Faw, Ph.D., who began teaching in the Psychology Department of Trinity Western College in 1978, gave the commencement address. His primary scholarship has involved exploring the interface between Christian faith and psychology, an area in which he has published two books and several articles.
In the afternoon ceremony, valedictorian Sarah Louise Klassen, who graduated with her Bachelor of Human Kinetics, addressed graduates of the School of Business, School of Education, School of Human Kinetics, School of Nursing, and General Studies program. Fellow valedictorian Brayden John Koslowsky, who graduated with his Bachelor of Arts in International Studies, addressed graduates at the morning service.
Analogizing the undergraduate experience to a boat navigating the open sea, Koslowsky said:
“We have not been anchored in the harbour, preparing for ‘real life,’ as some may suggest. We have been upon the open seas… We have, in many ways, been boarded by pirates, and have had to fight to stay afloat. The plunder of thousands of years of humanity’s greatest riches has been uncovered and brought aboard. And, sometimes beautifully, sometimes clumsily, we have sailed together, an armada strong against the incessant waves. Most important though, we have held onto that crazy hope, that hope that when we found ourselves off-course, we could yearn for a Pilot who would say, “be still” to the raging waters. Miraculously, those waters obey.”
Many awards were presented over the course of the day. Political Studies and Religious Studies instructor Calvin Townsend, MCS, was awarded the Davis Distinguished Teaching Award in recognition of a high level of teaching excellence and a significant contribution to the pedagogical life of TWU. The Provost’s Innovative Teaching Award went to Associate Professor in the School of Education, Matthew Etherington, Ph.D., for valuable contributions in innovative teaching.
TWU Citizenship awards, voted on by faculty, staff, and students, were presented to David Dueck and outgoing Student Association President Kelly Rose Lamb. The Scholar Athlete awards went to Nicole Byrne and Jason Wiens.
An honourary doctorate was awarded to musician J. Calvin Dyck, D.M.A. Dyck received his Doctorate in violin performance at the University of Southern California and taught music for 13 years at TWU. Since 2000, he has been the Concertmaster for the Vancouver Island Symphony, and also directs the Abbotsford Youth Orchestra and produces the popular variety show, “Songs, Strings and Steps.”
Dyck has made four recordings to benefit Communitas, a local charity that provides care and services to people living with disabilities. He is also on the board of the Bakerview Academy of Music, which is in the process of establishing an El Sistema style, free music program for local economically challenged youth. In 2012, Calvin was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for service to the community. He performed a violin solo at the afternoon commencement service.
The full weekend events included commissioning ceremonies, receptions, and the Baccalaureate service on Friday and Commencement exercises on Saturday.
Read Brayden John Koslowsky’s full valedictory address.
Check out TWU’s Facebook photo gallery for more photos of the Baccalaureate and Commencement celebrations.