During the first week of May, Quest welcomed friends, alumni, parents, siblings, and other family members to campus to celebrate the Class of 2017 throughout their Keystone presentations and Commencement. Squamish Nation councillor Skwetsi7meltxw (Joshua Joseph) welcomed the graduation audience, and Physical Sciences tutor Dr. Rich Wildman acted as Master of Ceremonies, offering insight into some of the unique linguistic features of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) language. Board member Pekúltn Siyám (Chief Dale Harry), the first Squamish Nation member to be elected to the Quest University Canada’s Board of Governors, was a member of the platform party.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Students Cello Lukey and Talia Martz-Oberlander, the elected student speakers, acted out a symbolic performance about the tenacity of dandelions on campus and students’ intellectual perseverance. Humanities tutor Dr. Fei Shi was the faculty speaker and shared his personal experiences of coming out as a graduate student and feeling like a foreigner—even to himself at the time. He spoke of the enduring importance of the Confucian values of learning, friendship, and humility, as students set out on a path to find their way and their identity.
Dr. George Iwama of the University of British Columbia was invested as the third Chancellor in the history of the University, following our Founder Dr. David Strangway and second Chancellor Dr. Dan Birch. Chancellor Iwama conferred the degrees upon the graduates, and alumna Vrindy Spencer (‘16) welcomed Quest’s newest alumni.
Congratulations to the students who were part of this graduating class, and welcome to the family of Quest alumni. We look forward to reporting on your adventures and accomplishments as you begin to pursue your next questions.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |