Students gathered Friday afternoon in the Kinsella auditorium to honour a St. Thomas tradition and to take one more step towards graduation.
The T ceremony was short and sweet this year, as students were treated to two speeches and a slideshow of photos taken from their time spent here in Fredericton.
“It’s pretty exciting” said Matt Pain, an honours history student, as he and the rest of this year’s graduates prepared for the ceremony. “There’s a lot of great people here today.”
The event was transformed from the “T-ring” to the “T” ceremony last year by president Dawn Russell, who changed the name in an effort to make the day more inclusive for graduating classes.
Russell found the previous incarnations of the event, with focus on the T-ring, caused some students who did not buy a ring to feel uncomfortable or out of place.
She decided to change the day so that it represented the symbol that connects all St. Thomas graduates.
With t-pins offered to participants before the beginning of the ceremony, Russell hopes to put the emphasis on the feeling of community amongst the soon-to-be alumni, rather than where that symbol might be found- be it on your finger, or on your lapel.
“If your time here at St. Thomas has meant to you what it has meant to me and to the so many of the others that have gone before you,” said Russell during her speech to students. “Then your connection with STU runs far deeper than a letter emblazoned upon a ring or pin.”
Students were also encouraged to remain active members of the St. Thomas community after their time studying was finished.
“I’m new to this St. Thomas community,” said vice-president of advancement and alumni relations Jeff Wright during his address to the students.
Wright, who was hired earlier this year as STU’s first VP of advancement, encouraged students to recognize how special their alma mater is.
“I can already see what most of you already know, and that is that we have something very special to offer to New Brunswick, Canada, and the world.”
