In conjunction with the commencement ceremonies for the School of Graduate Studies, Trinity Western University’s Master of Arts in Leadership (Business Stream) in Mandarin program held a special reception on November 9 in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China, to honour the first-ever graduating class of the program.
In all, 28 students from two cohorts, one delivered in English and the other in Mandarin, earned their Master of Arts in Leadership degrees. Six different countries—including the United States, England, Australia, the Netherlands, Canada, and China—were represented by the graduating class. “Taking the MA in Leadership program has been a journey of learning, healing, and faith-strengthening for me,” said 2013 graduate Weiping Zhang.
Launched in 2011, the program is made possible through a strategic partnership with Leadership Development International (LDi). “Consistent with our Strategic Directions, TWU continues to expand its presence around the world,” said Associate Provost Philip Laird, Ph.D. “This program is one of many examples of our growing investment in global education.” This fall, the Master of Arts in Leadership (Business Stream) in Mandarin program launched its fifth cohort of 23 students—the largest to date.
Prior to the China reception, the University held its annual School of Graduate Studies Commencement ceremony in Abbotsford, BC, during which 110 students received their diplomas.
Class Representative Nicole Birkeland, who earned her Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Humanities degree, spoke on how the study of history could be practiced to bring about social change. Through her studies, Birkeland explored the ways in which the public education system represented Aboriginal and mainstream Canadian relations, and the ongoing misunderstandings between the two groups.
“Meeting the demands of the program left me with the belief that although the problems facing our society—and nation—are large, there is hope,” she said. “While we may not fix everything, we can have hope and faith in the possibility of positive transformation through recognition of others.”
This year’s ceremony saw the Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology program celebrate its 20th graduating class. The Governor General Gold Medal for the highest GPA was awarded to Jessie Marie Wall, who graduated from that program and has been accepted into a doctoral program at the University of British Columbia.
In all, 151 graduates, including those from the Master of Arts in Leadership (Business Stream) in Mandarin program, earned their degrees.