Trinity Western University is delighted to celebrate the accomplishments of over 1,000 graduands.
This past weekend, TWU friends, family, faculty, staff, students, and special guests gathered to honour and celebrate the class of 2023, the University's largest graduating class, with a Baccalaureate Service held at TWU’s Langley campus on April 28 and a Graduation Ceremony held on April 29 at the Langley Events Centre.
April 28 Baccalaureate Service
The Baccalaureate Service was a meaningful time of worship, prayer, and reflection. Several students participated in leading the event through leading worship, reading Scripture, and sharing their personal stories of growth and transformation while studying at TWU.
One highlight of the Baccalaureate Service was the presentation of the Citizenship Awards. Every year, Citizenship Awards are granted to two students who have made outstanding contributions to the campus through their citizenship, testimony, and overall impact on the spirit and wellbeing of the campus community. This year’s Citizenship Awards recipients are Andrew Bouchard and Rachelle Vogel.
See the 2023 Citizenship Awards announcement
The Baccalaureate Service concluded with a prayer of commissioning for the graduands, with members of the faculty and staff forming a circle around the graduands as a corporate gesture of blessing.
April 29 Graduation Ceremony
The Graduation Ceremony was held on April 29 at the Langley Events Centre. Following opening remarks by President Mark Husbands and an acknowledgement of territory by University Siya:m Patricia Victor, Vijay Manuel of the Board of Governors presented the invocation prayer.
Honorary degree recipient and commencement speaker, Mr. Vivek Anand Savkur
An honorary degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred upon Mr. Vivek Anand Savkur, this year’s commencement speaker. A business and community leader, Mr. Savkur has served as national president of the Indo-Canadian Business Chamber, is a member of the Simon Fraser University India Advisory Council and the Trinity Western University Richmond Steering Committee, is president emeritus of the BC-India Business Network, and chairman emeritus of the Canada India Education Council (Western Canada Chapter). In recognition of his life of service to the people of Canada and around the world, Mr. Savkur was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal by the governor general of Canada and the Global Leadership Award by the Global Emerging Leadership Programs (GELP).
In his TWU commencement address, Mr. Savkur encouraged graduands towards community and social service. “Often I ask myself, what can I do to make this world a better place, and show my gratitude for this wonderful gift of life?” he spoke, “I have found that helping the world and giving back to the world, whenever I can, is the best way to show my gratitude.”
2023 Teaching Awards
Awards to recognize advancements in teaching excellence and teaching innovation were conferred upon faculty members who are nominated by students and faculty. The recipient of the 2023 Davis Distinguished Teaching Award for “a high level of excellence in the craft of teaching” is Dr. Shane Durbach, Associate Professor of Chemistry. The recipient of the 2023 Provost Innovative Teaching Award for scholarly innovation and “adapting new methods to improve student learning” is Dr. Matthew Etherington, Professor of Education.
See the 2023 Teaching Awards announcement.
Undergraduate class valedictorian, Johan Bouwer
This year’s undergraduate class valedictorian is Nursing major Johan Bouwer. A top student who completed his Nursing degree with great distinction, Johan also served as a student leader, discipleship leader, teaching assistant, research assistant, and community volunteer. Further, Johan contributed on the dean’s advisory council and nursing students’ association, and participated in completing a planetary health report card at TWU.
In his valedictorian speech, Johan encouraged his peers, “Class of 2023, my primary hope for you is not that you change the world, land your dream job or create your ideal life. My prayer for you is that you would understand, experience and cling onto God’s unfathomable love for you.”
“And if the overflow of that experience changes the world, let it be so.”
Johan recognized the significant journey of the class of 2023, many of whom embarked on their university years in the fall of 2019, shortly prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. He also recognized the generosity of family, friends, professors, and the community who have supported the class of 2023 along the way.
“We joined a community that pushed us towards finding who we are. We were immersed in beautiful connections that altered our lives forever. …[Graduation is] a day of celebration and acknowledgement of all that we’ve been through as a class. We really made it.”
He concluded with thanksgiving, “Thanks be to God our Father who, amidst the instability of our world, has remained faithful and freely given of his love and mercy.”
Thank you to all TWU friends and family
The president, Board of Governors, administration, faculty, staff, and students of Trinity Western University express appreciation to all TWU parents, families, and friends for their support of this year's graduands. We also recognize and thank our special guests who were part of the 2023 Spring Graduation ceremonies:
President Emeritus, Robert G. Kuhn
Members of the Board of Governors: William Francis, Michelle Holland, Matthew Kwok, Vijay Manuel, Aaron Rogers
Honorable Rachna Singh, Minister of Education & Child Care
Ms. Jinny Sims, MLA for Surrey–Panorama
Mr. Amitabh Ranjan, Consul Commerce, Consulate General of India, Vancouver
Mr. Sanjay Malhotra, Vice Consul–Education and Culture, Consulate General of India, Vancouver
Vivek Anand Savkur, Doctor of Laws, honoris causa
About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is a global Christian liberal arts university. We are dedicated to equipping students to discover meaningful connections between career, life, and the needs of the world. Drawing upon the riches of the Christian tradition, seeking to unite faith and reason through teaching and scholarship, Trinity Western University is a degree-granting research institution offering liberal arts and sciences as well as professional schools in business, nursing, education, human kinetics, graduate studies, and arts, media, and culture. It has four locations in Canada: Langley, Richmond-Lansdowne, Richmond-Minoru, and Ottawa. Learn more at www.twu.ca or follow us on Instagram @trinitywestern, Twitter @TrinityWestern, on Facebook and LinkedIn.
For media inquiries, please contact: media@twu.ca.
Photo credits: Wendy Delamont Lees and Kayla Bock