2013 FALL CONVOCATION – PRETTY SPECIAL FOR A WHOLE LOT OF FOLKS
By: WJO
Convocation ceremonies on the grounds of Royal Military College of Canada are held typically in Spring (May) and Fall (Nov).
Without question, the high profile event is in the Spring. However, don’t tell any of the 22 undergraduate, 50 graduate students two honorary recipients’ and most of all, their family & friends that the 98th Convocation this past Friday (22 Nov) wasn’t SPECIAL.
The ceremony was vintage Royal Military College of Canada, with the right balance of pomp, circumstance and bagpipes. An extra bonus this year was the installation of the Principal, Dr Harry Kowal which preceded the regular convocation ceremony.
A number of those who were to receive their Degree or an Award were precluded from attending because of operational commitments.
Mr Al Roberts and Hon. Peter Milliken both received a degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.
Former Speaker of The House of Commons, Hon. Peter Milliken regaled the audience with stories of how 
little he knew about RMC during the time, he was a student at Queen’s University. That all changed after he was elected as a Member of Parliament.
The longest serving Speaker of the House in the House of Commons was often invited to various formal functions hosted at the College year after year. He is also recognized as S149 as an honorary member of the RMC Club.
First year College Commandant, BGen Al Meinzinger who was filling in for the Chancellor – the Minister of National Defence the Hon Rob Nicholson, included in his opening remarks… “It is a tremendous honour to stand before you this afternoon as Vice Chancellor of this incredible institution – the Royal Military College of Canada. The Minister sends his sincerest regards and his congratulations to all of those that will have an opportunity to join us on the stage here today.”
He went on to say a few words about the two gentlemen that each would be receiving the Honorary Doctorate of Law Degree.
“I had the privilege of meeting Mr. Milliken, his speakership, at the College’s convocation in May – in fact I had the honour of sitting beside Speaker Milliken – and it was evident to me that he was a huge supporter of the College. I am so pleased to have the rare honour of overseeing the granting of this degree today to such a humble and distinguished Kingstonian.”
The former Redmen hockey player who scored a goal in the 58th game of the West Point / RMC series – 1989 (tough 3-2 overtime loss) had this to say about Al Roberts.
“I am similarly moved by the opportunity to recognize our other prominent honorary doctorate recipient, Mr. Al Kelso Roberts. While Mr Roberts contributions to the College have been extremely deep and long-lasting, I can’t help note that Al attained fleeting notoriety, as an RMC hockey player in the ‘50s, after being assessed the second RMC penalty in the history of the West Point/RMC hockey series! Marty McSorley would be proud!”
The Master of Ceremony was Dr. Sylvain Leblanc,who once again amazingly kept the two – hour ceremony moving smoothly in both french and english with his rich baritone voice.
AWARDS / PRIX:
The Colonel the Honourable John Matheson Academic Leadership Award
The Academic Leadership Award was established upon the suggestion of Colonel, the Honourable John Matheson, to recognize outstanding leadership by a member of the RMC academic faculty in support of the objectives of the Royal Military College. This is the fourth year this award is being presented. We are honoured to have Colonel Matheson with us to present it to:
Dr. Michael A. Hennessy
Le prix leadership académique Le colonel l’honorable John Matheson
La récompense scolaire de conduite a été établie sur la suggestion du colonel, l’honorable John Matheson, pour identifier la conduite exceptionnelle d’un membre du corps enseignant du Collège militaire royal à l’appui des objectifs du Collège militaire royal du Canada. C’est la quatrième année où cette récompense est présentée. Nous sommes honorés d’avoir le colonel Matheson avec nous pour présenter cette récompense au:
M. Michael A. Hennessy
The Milton Fowler Gregg VC Memorial Trust Fund Bursary
The Milton Fowler Gregg VC Memorial Trust Fund Bursary is offered annually to those students entering the Royal Military College, Division of Graduate Studies and Research whose programmes will include environmental studies or international affairs. The student should not normally be in receipt of full Department of National Defence financial support for these studies. The bursary is sponsored by the Royal Canadian Regiment Trust, and is presented on the recommendation of the Faculty of the Division of Graduate Studies and Research. The recipient this year is:
Ms. Michele Parisien
La bourse du fond commémoratif Milton Fowler Gregg, V.C.
La bourse du fond commémoratif Milton Fowler Gregg, V.C. est est offerte tous les ans aux étudiants inscrits à la division des études supérieures et de la recherche du Collège militaire royale et dont le programme comprend des études de l’environnement ou des affaires internationales. En règle générale, seuls ont droit à une telle bourse les étudiants qui ne reçoivent pas dans son intégrité l’aide financière du ministère de la Défense nationale. La bourse, parrainée par le Royal Canadian Regiment Trust, est décernée sur la recommandation des professeurs de la division des études supérieures et de la recherche. Le récipiendaire cette année est :
Mme Michele Parisien
The Royal Military College of Canada Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Post-Graduate Scholarship
The Royal Military College of Canada Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Post-Graduate Scholarship was created through the generosity of an anonymous donor to recognize academic excellence and research promise in a candidate taking a Masters or Doctoral degree in the disciplines of Mechanical or Aeronautical Engineering. This year the recipient is:
Mr. Jiang Zhu
La bourse pour étudiants aux études supérieures du Département de génie mécanique et génie aérospatial du Collège militaire royal du Canada
La Bourse des études supérieures du département de génie mécanique et génie aérospatial du Collège militaire royal du Canada fut créer par la générosité d’un donateur anonyme afin de reconnaître le candidat aux études supérieures en génie mécanique ou aéronautique, qui démontre d’excellentes qualités académiques et de promesse comme chercheur. Cette année le récipiendaire est :
M. Jiang Zhu
The Colonel Geoff Parker memorial Award
The Colonel Geoff Parker Memorial Award is presented to an officer of the Canadian Forces who displayed outstanding leadership, professionalism, perseverance and academic excellence in the pursuit of technical studies, following the completion of a graduate degree from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering of the Royal Military College of Canada. The award is given in memory of Colonel Geoff Parker, CD, MEng of the Royal Canadian Regiment who obtained a masters in Electrical Engineering from the Royal Military College of Canada and was tragically killed in action in Kabul, Afghanistan on 18 May 2010. This year’s recipient is:
Marc Lanouette
Le prix commémoratif colonel Geoff Parker
Le prix commémoratif colonel Geoff Parker est décerné annuellement à un officier des Forces canadiennes qui s’est démarqué par son leadership exceptionnel, son professionnalisme, sa persévérance et sa réussite extraordinaire dans ses études lors de la poursuite d’études techniques, après avoir complété un diplôme d’études supérieures du département de génie électrique et de génie informatique du Collège militaire royal du Canada. Le prix est remis en mémoire du colonel Geoff Parker, CD, MEng du Royal Canadian Regiment qui a obtenu une maîtrise en génie électrique du Collège militaire royal du Canada et QUI fut tragiquement tué au combat à Kaboul en Afghanistan le 18 mai 2010. Cette année le récipiendaire est :
Marc Lanouette
SPECIAL THANKS TO BRAD LOWE FOR PROVIDING ALL SIX PHOTOS ON THIS PAGE