1996 Fredericton Convocation
Graduation Address
Delivered by: Parr-Johnston, Elizabeth (Installation Address)
Content
"UNB graduates told communities are important in today’s world" Telegraph-Journal (21 October 1996). (UA Case 69, Box 2)
Future leaders must learn to embrace their neighbours in the face of crumbling communities around the globe, the president of University of New Brunswick says.
"As tomorrow’s leaders, you will find that there is a second element in leading a principled life: community," Dr. Elizabeth Parr-Johnston told about 200 graduates at fall convocation at the Aitken Centre in Fredericton yesterday.
In an address after being officially installed the university’s first female president and vice-chancellor, Dr. Parr-Johnston said New Brunswickers have already learned that the future development of society lies not with government but ourselves.
"Much now occurring in the world suggests that communities are breaking down," said the former Shell Canada senior executive and president of Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax.
She said the rising importance of individual rights over the collective good, the threat of Quebec separation and disintegration of some nations "seem to prove that we are spinning apart, not closer together."
"Which is why I think community is all the more important. Ultimately, nothing will be solved, nothing will last, if we don’t do it together acknowledging our difference, but giving precedence to the benefits of co-operation, collaboration and shared vision."
She told the grads that over the last few years they have been part of an academic community that has for centuries reached decisions by consensus.
"Our community has always been diverse—filled with people of differing beliefs, ethnicities, backgrounds and cultures who have gotten along in reasonable harmony," Dr. Parr-Johnston said.
"The academic community is not perfect. It is susceptible to the same intolerance, political machinations, and self-manoeuvring as is the rest of society.
"Nonetheless, I believe the university is one of the best examples of community we have. I hope that having been immersed in it for some period of time, you will keep with you its best qualities and take them forward into the communities you will lead."
Future leaders must learn to embrace their neighbours in the face of crumbling communities around the globe, the president of University of New Brunswick says.
"As tomorrow’s leaders, you will find that there is a second element in leading a principled life: community," Dr. Elizabeth Parr-Johnston told about 200 graduates at fall convocation at the Aitken Centre in Fredericton yesterday.
In an address after being officially installed the university’s first female president and vice-chancellor, Dr. Parr-Johnston said New Brunswickers have already learned that the future development of society lies not with government but ourselves.
"Much now occurring in the world suggests that communities are breaking down," said the former Shell Canada senior executive and president of Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax.
She said the rising importance of individual rights over the collective good, the threat of Quebec separation and disintegration of some nations "seem to prove that we are spinning apart, not closer together."
"Which is why I think community is all the more important. Ultimately, nothing will be solved, nothing will last, if we don’t do it together acknowledging our difference, but giving precedence to the benefits of co-operation, collaboration and shared vision."
She told the grads that over the last few years they have been part of an academic community that has for centuries reached decisions by consensus.
"Our community has always been diverse—filled with people of differing beliefs, ethnicities, backgrounds and cultures who have gotten along in reasonable harmony," Dr. Parr-Johnston said.
"The academic community is not perfect. It is susceptible to the same intolerance, political machinations, and self-manoeuvring as is the rest of society.
"Nonetheless, I believe the university is one of the best examples of community we have. I hope that having been immersed in it for some period of time, you will keep with you its best qualities and take them forward into the communities you will lead."
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