Sheridan Convocation 2010 Sees Record Number of Graduates

Sheridan graduated a record number of students over the past four days during ten ceremonies held at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga, Ontario.

For Immediate Release: June 11, 2010
Mississauga, Ontario

Sheridan graduated a record number of students over the past four days during ten ceremonies held at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga, Ontario. A total of 6,346 new graduates received their diplomas, certificates and degrees, representing their academic achievement in the arts, business, technology and community service fields. Sheridan’s alumni now number over 112,000.

The convocation ceremonies were preceded by an installation ceremony on June 7 at 4:30 pm for Sheridan’s sixth President, Dr. Jeff Zabudsky. A host of dignitaries and former presidents were on hand to celebrate the occasion and pay tribute to Dr. Zabudsky, including The Honourable Harinder Takhar, Minister of Government Services; Mayor Hazel McCallion, City of Mississauga; Mayor Rob Burton, Town of Oakville; Mayor Marolyn Morrison, Town of Caledon; and Sandra Hames, Acting Mayor and City Councillor, City of Brampton.

Graduates received words of wisdom and inspiration from an impressive list of keynote speakers over the course of the four-day Convocation, including Kevin Flynn, MPP – Oakville; Craig Worden, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Pollara Strategic Insights; Ginny Dybenko, Dean, School of Business & Economics, Wilfred Laurier University; Dawne Barbieri, Chief Nursing Executive and Vice President, William Osler Health Centre; Karen Charles, Regional Manager, Canadian Red Cross; Anne Day, Founder and President, Company of Women; Deborah Riddle, Executive Director, Elizabeth Fry Society; Ron Cameron-Lewis, Professor Emeritus, School of Animation, Arts & Design; Edward Burtynsky, Photographer; and Donna Cansfield, MPP – Etobicoke Centre.

Outstanding graduates were recognized throughout the ten ceremonies, with the highest academic prize – the Governor General’s Medal – awarded to Maria Reis, a graduate of the Community Development program. The Governor General’s Medal is presented to the graduate with the highest overall academic record in the entire graduating class. Maria Reis first enrolled at Sheridan in the 1970’s in the Travel and Tourism Course. She graduated with President’s Honours and began operating a travel agency with her family in her hometown of Milton. After losing her eyesight in 2005, Maria enrolled in Sheridan’s Paralegal program and received her license to practice. Having completed the Community Development program, Maria plans to continue her studies at Sheridan in the Broadcast Journalism program, and ultimately bring her many talents to bear in a career in the media field.