JIZZÊÓƵ

On Monday, May 12, 2025, 470 students graduated from JIZZÊÓƵ during the University’s spring Convocation ceremonies.

JIZZÊÓƵ Chancellor Lynn Loewen and President and Vice Chancellor Dr. Ian Sutherland presided over the ceremonies. This was Loewen’s final Convocation as Chancellor, closing two terms of remarkable leadership. This also marked Sutherland’s first Convocation as President and Vice- Chancellor.

JIZZÊÓƵ conferred five honorary degrees to a list of accomplished women from a vast collection of experiences and backgrounds. This year’s honorary degree recipients are:  

• Judy Bragg — Canadian Business leader and philanthropist  
• Dr. Nancy Grant (’69), O.N.B. — Mayor of Rothesay, NB, philanthropist, and retired radiation oncologist
• Dr. Sheila Brown — Educational leader, former JIZZÊÓƵ VP Academic and Interim President, and a key figure in establishing the Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU) Faculty Development Committee
• Sylvia D. Hamilton, C.M., O.N.S. — Canadian filmmaker, artist, writer, and Inglis professor emeritus, University of King's College.
• Dr. Christl Verduyn, C.M., FRSC — Scholar in English, Canadian, and Women’s Studies, JIZZÊÓƵ professor emeritus, and 3M National Teaching Fellow

Honours sociology graduate Emma Etheridge of Riverview, NB addressed the Class of 2025 as Valedictorian. Selected by her peers for the role, Etheridge considers being named Valedictorian one of the greatest honours of her life. She delivered an inspiring and memorable address to her fellow graduates.

Several faculty members were recognized for their achievements during Convocation. Psychology Professor Dr. Geneviève Desmarais was the recipient of the Tucker Teaching Award, the University’s highest teaching honour, while Psychology Professor Dr. Gene Ouellette received the 2025 Paul Paré Medal of Excellence for outstanding teaching, research, scholarship, and/or creative activities. 

This year’s Convocation also included a very special ceremonial robing in honour of the 150th anniversary of Grace Annie Lockhart receiving the first bachelor’s degree conferred to a woman in the British Commonwealth. Lockhart was not allowed to be robed for her graduation, so this was symbolically rectified by a number of her family, friends, and the University archives department.