Algoma U celebrates largest ever graduating class tomorrow

NEWS RELEASE

ALGOMA UNIVERSITY

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Algoma U Convocation Honours 206 Graduates

Algoma University will celebrate its largest ever graduating class at the annual convocation ceremony on the waterfront of Sault Ste. Marie this Saturday, June 14.

The ceremony at the Roberta Bondar Park Tent Pavilion will see 206 students receive their degrees.

As part of the ceremony honouring the graduates, Algoma University will confer an honorary doctorate degree, Doctor of Letters, honoris causa on Lester Pyette, recognizing his outstanding achievements and service to the community. 

Pyette is an esteemed Canadian journalist from Sault Ste. Marie, who, at the age of only 17, began his lifelong newspaper career working as a sports writer at the Sault Ste. Marie Daily Star.

After working at the Daily Star from 1963 to 1967, Pyette's career soared to include positions as the Publisher and CEO of the National Post (2004 and 2006), Vice President of New Products at the Quebecor (2003), Vice President of Sun Media, Eastern Region (2002-03), Publisher, Executive Assistant to the President, and Executive Editor of the Toronto Sun (2002, 1984-1992), Editor-in-Chief, Publisher, and CEO of the Calgary Sun (1980-84), as well as many others.

In October of 2013, Pyette was inducted into the Canadian News Hall of Fame. 

Donna Hilsinger will be recognized as an Honorary Member of Algoma University, an award granted by the Algoma University Senate.

The award is presented to individuals who have contributed distinctive and distinguished service to Algoma University, as well as the community.

Hilsinger is the General Manager of Algoma's Water Tower Inn and Suites, and a leader in the hospitality sector for the Algoma district.

She has also been one of the mainstays of the organizing committee for the annual John R. Rhodes Scholarship Dinner, the University's most important annual fundraising dinner.

She is a major sponsor for the University's golf tournament, and hosts the annual Student Awards Night.

Her hotel also hosts the University's annual Northern Ontario Business Case Competition - an event she helps organize and frequently judges.

Algoma U is just one of the many organizations in town that benefits from her expertise.

In 2008, she was named the Influential Woman of the Year by the Northern Ontario Business Association, and in 2012 was awarded the Chamber of Commerce ATHENA Award.

Professor Don Jackson, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Law and Politics, will receive the Distinguished Faculty Award, which recognizes exceptional faculty contribution at the University.

The recipient embodies the ideals of the University mission: teaching excellence and scholarship with a demonstrated commitment to community and institutional citizenship.

Jackson is a founding member and director of the Shingwauk Project and a leading figure in the Annual Shingwauk Reunion, which brings together former students and staff of the Shingwauk Indian Residential School, in the spirit of sharing, healing, and learning.

He has been a member of the University Senate, the Peer Review Committee, the Faculty Association, and Chair of the Division of Social Sciences.

In his near 40-year career in the Department of Law and Politics with the University, he has always striven to maintain academic excellence and cross-cultural learning.

Convocation ceremonies begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 14 at the Roberta Bondar Park Tent Pavilion.

Anyone wishing to attend should contact the Office of the Registrar for more information by emailing [email protected] or by calling the University at 705-949-2301, ext. 4216.

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