Convocation season at the University of Guelph on the main campus is over and we have said goodbye to the main swathe of people from the double cohort. The huge numbers of students meant that not only were there more ceremonies this year but some of them were very large indeed. I want to thank everyone involved from the people in the Registrar’s Office preparing the lists of names and the publishing the programs for the events, the grounds staff for the set up and support, to parking and security for their help, to the grounds staff for the fabulous gardens and cleanliness of campus, to hospitality for the superb meals and collations, to the volunteers that helped robed the throng, to the beadle and volunteers who marshaled the troops, to the faculty, staff, alumni, students and board members who attended the ceremonies, and to the staff in the president’s office who kept everyone on track ……. the whole set of ceremonies was an incredible demonstration of the unique atmosphere, camaraderie and commitment of Guelph.

Time and again, parents and friends would comment on the amazing convocations at Guelph. For many, they were able to witness that special magic that distinguishes Guelph as a unique place with a unique sense of values and attitudes.

Wednesday 13th June was a bumper day. We held the most fantastic President’s Dialogue in the morning and listened to a stellar team of international experts on their views of Canada as a global citizen. The classroom in Rozanski was full and we had to use an overflow room. In addition, the event was simultaneously webcast and there was a lively ethereal audience present too.

And in the afternoon of the same day we installed Dr. Pamela Wallin as the 7th Chancellor of the University of Guelph. Our beloved Lincoln Alexander joined the event and was in fine form as he most gracefully (and with a great deal of humour) passed the baton to his successor (of whom he is clearly very fond). His shoes will literally and metaphorically be very large to fill but I have no doubt that Pamela will fill them. She has already won the hearts of a number of members of the community and there were some memorable moments when speaker after speaker at the ceremony itself and later at dinner spoke eloquently of the passion and commitment for our new Chancellor. Meanwhile, Linc will remain as the Chancellor Emeritus and will continue to play an important role in the ceremonial activities of the University.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the week and helped to make this our largest set of convocations some of the most memorable.

Posted by Alastair Summerlee at 05:27 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

When the idea of the Shakespeare - Made in Canada festival was mooted, it was one of those memorable occasions when a small group of people (in this case Daniel Fischlin, Jacqueline Murray, Sue Bennett and me) sat around a table and dreamed. I am not sure who said "do you think we could.....?" but that first question, followed by some exciting brainstorming (and some silly ideas) resulted in an incredible festival. With more than 35 events devoted to the works and essence of William Shakespeare, with plays, musicals, videos, reading and art that somehow touched Shakespeare and what he has meant to Canada and Canadians, the Festival has been a stunning success. It has involved people in the City and the University community and into the regions beyond, it has brought visitors to Guelph in droves and more than doubled attendance at the Macdonald Stewart Art Centre and above all it has focused attention on how a man living about 400 years ago can still affect our daily lives.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this incredible journey from the amazing team at the Canadian Adaptations of Shakespeare project (CASP) website, to the work of the staff at the Art Centre, to the support of the fund- and friend-raising team in the City, to the people involved in the development and delivery of the courses for students, to the docents who literally trailed hundreds (if not thousands) of people around the exhibition, the numerous and various people and groups to provided entertainment and serious discourse about the meaning of Shakespeare and his influence, to Lloyd Sullivan for loaning the portrait at the centre of the exhibition, to the various members of the City team who promoted and showcased to the festival............ and to the thousands of people who just came and saw or participated in the events - this has been an extraordinary demonstration of the community of Guelph.

The Festival closes at the end of this week and the displays will be taken down.

Thank you to everyone.

PS. But don't worry much of the Festival and its events will be stored on the CASP website and there will be permanent electronic records of the exhibition.

Posted by Alastair Summerlee at 05:39 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)