Tuesday, June 12, 2018
group of law students waiting to step onto dais in Convocation Hall

Convocation Speaker was the Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin

Photos by Adam Pulicicchio

More than 200 remarkable Faculty of Law graduates have now joined an outstanding global alumni group, as the Class of 2018 celebrated Convocation Day on June 8th. A warm sunny day greeted the newly minted alumni, who were gathered together with their family and friends, faculty and staff in Convocation Hall on King’s College Circle, and later at the Faculty of Law.

Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin at the speaker podium in Convocation Hall

The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, former chief justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, current Massey Fellow at the University of Toronto, U of T honorary degree recipient, plus some 30 more honorary degrees, was the Convocation Speaker, a tremendous honour for the Faculty of Law.

Message from former Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin: “Keep your moral compass finely tuned, and follow it—there’s a difference. Know what to discard and let go, and know when to move on. But also know what to cling to, what to fight for, and what to defend to the death. Your education has equipped you with powerful tools that will help you know what is right and will make you a powerful advocate for good.”

Two law grads in Con Hall who picked up their degrees

She reminisced about her law school graduation, which occurred 50 years ago this year, empathizing with the graduates that she too was nervous and filled with anticipation at her ceremony, wondering about what would be coming next.

“I couldn’t foresee what the future would be like in 10 years when I graduated in 1968. I couldn’t foresee what it would be like today. You probably can’t foresee the changes 10 years from now.”  

In this world of rapid changes, she spoke on the impact of Artificial Intelligence on lawyer work but reassured the new law grads that legal professionals still offer the “quintessential and unique skill of analyzing complex situations and transforming them into coherent ones for their clients.”

Law grad with family in the Instagram frame by Convocation Plaza

She also offered an inspirational message, her “humble counsel” in her own words:

“Keep your moral compass finely tuned, and follow it—there’s a difference. Know what to discard and let go, and know when to move on. But also know what to cling to, what to fight for, and what to defend to the death. Your education has equipped you with powerful tools that will help you know what is right and will make you a powerful advocate for good.”

Award winners at the post-Convocation reception at Faculty of Law

The Faculty of Law held its traditional post-Convocation reception and awards ceremony on the back lawn at the law school, for the graduates and their families. Katie Longo served as valedictorian. Top students received their academic medals, school spirit recognition, and the Dean’s Key (see the list below) and Professor Vincent Chiao received the John Mewett Award for Teaching, and also gave the Hail and Farewell address, both honours selected by the students.

 

Student Choice Awards

                 Mewett Teaching Award: Prof. Vincent Chiao

                Hail & Farewell Speech:  Prof. Vincent Chiao

                Staff Appreciation Award: Amanda Carling, Manager, Indigenous Initiatives

                John Willis Award Gina Calderelli Memorial Prize for School Spirit: Katie Longo

                Valedictorian: Katie Longo

 

Academic Awards

Angus MacMurchy Gold Medal and Gallant Ho Prize:  Misha Boutilier

                Highest cumulative average                       Aaron Haight

 

W.P.M. Kennedy Silver Medal                                   Kerry Sun

                Second highest cumulative average        

 

James B. Milner Bronze Medal                                 Stephanie Lewis

                Third highest cumulative average

 

Gerald W. Schwartz Gold Medal                               David Styles

                Highest cumulative average in the J.D./M.B.A. program

 

Gerald W. Schwartz Silver Medal                              Paras Patel

                Second highest cumulative average in the J.D./M.B.A. program

 

Gerald W. Schwartz Bronze Medal                           Ronald Zveiris

                Third highest cumulative average in the J.D./M.B.A. program

 

Justice Michael J. Moldaver Prize                             Kerry Sun

                First in third year

 

Class of 1967 Prizes                                                                        

                Second in third year                                Stephanie Lewis

                Third in third year                                    Chantelle van Wiltenburg

 

Stephanie Fleur Couzin Medals for Mooting              Stephanie Lewis and Diane Shnier

 

Cecil A. Wright Dean’s Key                                     Misha Boutilier