Rebecca Burry’s grandfather, Joseph, was one of 84 people to lose their lives when the Ocean Ranger drilling platform sank on Feb. 15, 1982.

Ms. Burry began in the science faculty but switched to the Faculty of Business Administration and transferred into the co-operative commerce program as the COVID-19 pandemic began, during which time she received the Ocean Ranger Memorial Award four times. She freely admits how difficult remote learning was, but she persevered.

And you know why? She had determination.

She and the hundreds of other graduating students showed incredible fortitude the past two and a half years, struggling with not just common student challenges like too much coffee and overnight cramming. Continuing to feel determined can be incredibly difficult when you encounter obstacles – and boy did they face a massive obstacle.

I tip my hat to each of them. You can read about other graduating students in our Gazette, including the story of Tomás Araya Schmidt, who received a doctorate in fisheries science, our first PhD graduate from the Marine Institute.

New chancellor

Graduates were installed by our new chancellor, Earl Ludlow, who was himself installed at the first session. In his address to convocation, Mr. Ludlow admitted his own doubts and ultimate determination to finish his undergraduate degree after a disastrous term seven in his engineering program! So he and our new alumni had something in common.

Mr. Ludlow has been an active member of the Memorial community since his time as a student. He is a former member of the Board of Regents, the Faculty of Business Administration Advisory Board, the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science Advisory Board and Alumni Association Executive.

He and his wife Valerie were hard-working co-chairs of the successful havin’ a time reunion in 2012, and he received the Alumni Tribute Award for Outstanding Community Service in 2008.

Mr. Ludlow is passionate about the privilege of learning, giving back to your community and the importance of Memorial University for the future of our province.

As well, Glenn Barnes attended convocation as new chair of the Board of Regents. Mr. Barnes attended Memorial University and College of the North Atlantic before beginning architecture studies. He is an active community volunteer with such organizations as the Newfoundland and Labrador Business Hall of Fame, the Rotary Club of St. John’s and the Salvation Army. He has served as a volunteer member of the Board of Regents since 2017.

I’m looking forward to working with Mr. Ludlow and Mr. Barnes in the months and years to come to ensure Memorial continues to contribute to an economically prosperous and culturally vibrant Newfoundland and Labrador.