STM celebrates newest graduates at Fall Convocation Reception

The St. Thomas More College community came together on Wednesday, November 13 to celebrate its most recent class of graduates at the 2019 Fall Convocation Reception.

Dr. Carl Still, President of STM, said the graduating students had undoubtedly been transformed by the knowledge they had gained over the past few years, by their experiences at STM and the friendships and relationships they had formed.

"University is a privileged place to learn and grow, and you've had the privilege of receiving a liberal arts education," he said. "An education designed not just to develop you as a future worker, but as a person and a citizen."

Still said the value of arts degrees cannot be questioned, as the best preparation for work and life is a liberal arts education, thanks to its ability to spark creativity, nurture emotional intelligence and grow the capacity to make value judgments.

"Our society desperately needs graduates like you who are capable of becoming leaders," Still said.
Two of the graduates on hand were lauded for their leadership and contributions while students at STM, and were presented with the Fr. Henry Carr Award.

Matthew Selinger earned a three-year Bachelor of Arts in Modern Languages, with Great Distinction. He has many academic achievements to his credit, and will be graduating with two more degrees in Political Studies and Ukrainian Studies next year. He participated in the 2018 Spring Session in Ukraine, and Prof. Nadya Foty-Oneschuk says Matthew has become a leader among his peers, encouraging them to take an interest in Ukraine and politics.

Jenna Casey is graduating with a four-year Bachelor of Arts degree in History, with Distinction. Jenna served as president of the St. Thomas More Students Union, and has a passion for social justice, Indigenous land claims and community engagement. She has recently started a new position as a researcher for specific land claims in British Columbia.

The reception was capped off by words of encouragement from Jennifer Duggleby, who was recently named STM Alumna of Distinction for 2019. She welcomed them into the ranks of the 10,000-plus STM-Newman alumni, and invited them to keep STM in their lives in some way. "I hope you will take from this place that community and connection are always more powerful than competition, and that the greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return."