In-person grad ceremonies at Trinity Western University had been on pause since the pandemic, but this past Saturday, November 6, TWU held its first in-person ceremony in two years. In a celebration hosted at the Langley main campus, the university honoured 606 graduands from both undergraduate and graduate programs.
Congratulations to all the graduands! Please click below for the full recording of Fall Graduation 2021:
TWU Fall Graduation 2021
The valedictorian for this fall’s graduating class is Dr. Larissa Rossen of TWU’s Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology program. During Saturday’s ceremony, musical worship was led by TWU Worship Collective, the chapel worship team. University Siya:m Patricia Victor from Cheam First Nation (Xwchíyò:m) read the Scriptures, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, the inspiration for TWU's 2021-2022 theme of "Equipped for every good work."
Three recently retired professors were honoured with Professor Emeritus/Emerita standing, a lifelong appointment for continuing contribution to the academic life of the University. Dr. Kenneth Pudlas, longtime Professor of Education and the developer of TWU's Master of Educational Studies–Special Education, was honoured as Professor Emeritus of Education. Additionally, Dr. Kelsey Haskett was recognized as Professor Emerita of World Languages and Cultures, and Dr. Don Ariel was recognized as Professor Emeritus of Mathematics. Recipients of this honourary position must have an excellent track record of scholarship, teaching, and distinguished service to the TWU community and beyond.
The meaning of success
The Commencement speaker was Trinity Western University President Dr. Mark Husbands. “As you embark on the next step of your journey, may you find joy knowing that you have been a blessing to us," he said to the graduating class. "Wherever you go, may you carry our hopes and prayers with you."
Dr. Husbands spoke to graduands and their families on the meaning of success. He challenged graduands to pursue success not only in terms of personal “acquisition” but also in terms of societal “contribution.”
“You’ve been prepared to make a lasting contribution to the communities, companies, organizations and cultures in which you will live,” he said.
"The education that you received at Trinity Western is a university education that equips you to climb two mountains," he continued, referring to The Second Mountain by David Brooks.
"As you enter the next chapter of your life, remember this: God's Word will be a lamp to your feet and a light on your path. As God calls you to offer your gifts, compassion, intelligence, time, creativity, and love to others, God will strengthen you on this journey. Beloved, no one climbs the second mountain alone. Jesus Christ always goes ahead. He invites you to be with him, as God brings healing, peace and justice to a broken world."
The program concluded with members of the faculty and university leadership forming a large circle around the fall 2021 graduands. Together, they offered a prayer of dedication and benediction over the class, led by Vice President of Alumni and Families Clement Wee, as a way of blessing the graduands’ next stages of life.
Graduation at TWU normally happens twice a year, in the fall and spring semesters.
Highlights from the past year
After 18 months of online classes, this September, TWU returned to largely in-person learning. During the pandemic months when campus was more quiet, the university took the opportunity to do significant renovations and upgrades to its facilities. The former Northwest Building was redone and renamed the DeVries Centre. It is now the new home for the School of Education. The atrium that is a central area on campus, was renovated and renamed the Trinity Commons. Over the past 24 months, TWU invested over 1.1 million dollars into accessibility upgrades throughout the Langley main campus – improving access for wheelchairs and strollers, installing automatic sliding doors, and adding exterior lighting for enhanced night- time safety.
The Robert G. Kuhn Centre, a four-storey landmark building at the campus’ main entrance is set to open later this year. It will house the School of Business and TWU GLOBAL.
To better equip students for life after graduation, Trinity Western opened a new Centre for Calling and Career Development this fall, to help students “discover and create a personalized career development plan that will inspire them from their first days on campus through graduation and beyond.”
New this Fall, TWU launched an Executive MBA program for senior business leaders.
TWU is now receiving applications into the University's very first PhD program—a Doctorate in Philosophy of Nursing.
Read this story in the Langley Advance Times.
See also — Trinity Western University launches its first PhD program—a Doctorate in Philosophy of Nursing:
TWU News
About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is Canada’s premier Christian liberal arts university dedicated to equipping students to establish meaningful connections between career, life, and the needs of the world. It is a fully accredited 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 campuses: Langley, Richmond-Lansdowne, Richmond-Minoru, and Ottawa. TWU emphasizes academic excellence, research, and student engagement in a vital faith community committed to forming leaders to have a transformational impact on culture. Learn more at www.twu.ca or follow us on Twitter @TrinityWestern, on Facebook and LinkedIn.