More than 6,500 students will graduate this week as UBC holds ceremonies at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts. They will join more than 250,000 UBC alumni worldwide.
Undergraduate and graduate degrees from all 12 Vancouver campus faculties will be conferred at 23 ceremonies, from May 26 through June 2. Ten honorary degrees will be given.
Below are brief sketches of several graduating students who are available for interviews. For full profiles, visit the May 2010 issue of UBC Reports at http://www.publicaffairs.ubc.ca/ubc-reports/ .
For details on UBC’s honorary degree recipients, visit http://www.publicaffairs.ubc.ca/2010/03/11/olympic-organizer-tv-rant-er-gen-x-author-astronaut-to-receive-ubc-honorary-degrees/ .
A webcast and full schedule of Vancouver events can be found at www.graduation.ubc.ca Spring Congregation at UBC’s Okanagan campus occurs June 11, 2010.
Law grad had to flee homeland
In 2001, Teklemichael Sahlemariam was in his fourth year and president of the student government at Addis Ababa University Law School in Ethiopia, when he learned that the government was arresting students. He fled to a refugee camp in Kenya where he stayed for four years. This spring he graduates from UBC’s law school with a Juris Doctor in hand.
Music, TV entertainer has talent for business
Former TV and pop star Ane Launy will trade the pop charts for Wall Street after steering a $4-million stock portfolio through extreme market conditions during her undergraduate degree at the Sauder School of Business.
Pursuing education to serve
Stephanie Charlie, a graduating UBC arts student and member of Cowichan Tribes, one of Canada’s largest First Nation communities, plans to run for office in Cowichan First Nation’s next election.
Helping others move beyond trauma
Growing up in the Philippines, Mok Escueta planned on becoming a lawyer. Instead, partially in response to the violent oppression of the Marcos regime, he became dedicated to community development work and initiating change. Having completed a PhD with the Faculty of Education, he is now a trauma psychotherapist working with military veterans and their families.
A big heart powers his moving muscles ride
Engineering physics graduate Keith Martin rode his bike across Canada in 2008 to increase awareness for muscular dystrophy, a condition he has. The 24-year old from Montreal, Quebec has acquired an impressive résumé, working for Bombardier Aerospace, Ballard Power Systems and others, and has U.S. and international patents pending for his work on a fuel cell seal design with Ballard Power Systems.
Event Summary: UBC Spring Congregation in Vancouver
Dates / Times: 8:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. on:
- Wednesday, May 26
- Thursday, May 27
- Friday, May 28
- Monday, May 31
- Tuesday, June 1
- Wednesday, June 2 (Note: No 4 p.m. ceremony)
Place: The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, 6265 Crescent Rd.
For a map, visit: www.maps.ubc.ca/?130 .
Parking: Media may park free of charge at the Rose Garden Parkade located adjacent to the Chan Centre off Northwest Marine Drive.
Please note: Media authorization is required to cover congregation ceremonies in the Chan Centre. Please call Heather Amos at 604.822.3213 or 604.828.3867 to arrange.