History in the making: Ontario's newest university celebrates its first convocation

OSHAWA, Ont. - The University of Ontario Institute of Technology will mark another major milestone this week when its first graduates walk across the stage to receive their degrees and shake hands with the university's newly installed president and chancellor. UOIT's inaugural convocation and installation ceremony will take place on Friday, June 4, beginning at 2 p.m. in the Campus Athletic Centre.

The watershed event will not only celebrate the students' success, but the years of effort that have gone into establishing the university - and the tremendous dedication that continues to fuel its impressive growth.

The proceedings will begin with the official installation of Lyn McLeod as the university's Founding Chancellor and Dr. Gary Polonsky as Founding President and Vice-Chancellor. McLeod, a former leader of the Ontario Liberal Party who maintains an active leadership role in the fields of education and health, will then join Dr. Polonsky in conferring Bachelor of Education degrees on more than 50 graduates of UOIT's Faculty of Education.

"Our B.Ed. students have worked very hard to earn this degree," said William Hunter, Dean of the Faculty of Education. "I think the people who walk across the stage at our first convocation will make us proud through their contributions to the teaching profession."

The university's one-year, post-degree B.Ed. program prepares students to teach math, science and computing in intermediate and senior grades. It emphasizes the use of technology as an important vehicle in teaching and learning, and focuses on teaching practices that are supported by research.

The inaugural convocation will be preceded by a special luncheon hosted by the president, starting at 11 a.m. A reception for graduates and their guests will begin at 4 p.m. in a tent just west of the Campus Athletics Centre, within view of the university's attractive and rapidly expanding facilities.

The day's events are expected to draw dignitaries from across the GTA and eastern Ontario, including MPPs John O'Toole and Ernie Parsons, Oshawa Mayor John Gray, and Ian Clark, President and CEO of the Council of Ontario Universities. They will be joined by top administrators, faculty and staff from UOIT and its educational partner, Durham College.

About the University of Ontario Institute of Technology

As the province's newest university, the University of Ontario Institute of Technology provides a unique combination of academic knowledge, vibrant student life, leading-edge research, and hands-on skills. The university offers career-focused undergraduate degree programs in the fields of business and information technology, sciences, engineering, nursing, justice studies, and education. It is also developing leading-edge research and graduate programs, and is Ontario's first laptop-based university. Sharing selected services with Durham College, UOIT welcomed its first students in September 2003. To find out more, visit www.uoit.ca, or call 1.866.844.8648.

About Ontario Tech University
A modern, forwarding-thinking university, Ontario Tech advances the discovery and application of knowledge to accelerate economic growth, regional development and social innovation. We inspire and equip our students and our graduates to make a positive impact in a tech-focused world. For us, it’s not only about developing the next tech breakthrough. Understanding and integrating the social and ethical implications of technology differentiates us as university. Learn more at ontariotechu.ca.

Media contact
John Schofield
Communications and Marketing
Ontario Tech University
905.721.3111, ext. 2162
john.schofield@uoit.ca