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.
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.”
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.”
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.”
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
