On June 12, 2025, the U of A community celebrated the academic achievements of its 2025 Spring graduates from the Faculty of Arts. Congrats and well done, everyone!
During the morning ceremony, former University of Alberta chancellor Peggy Garritty received an honorary degree for her significant contributions to education, culture and community development in Alberta and beyond through her compassionate leadership and dedication to social responsibility. A two-time U of A graduate, Peggy returned to her alma mater to serve as chancellor from 2020 to 2024, distinguishing herself as a champion of student engagement and an advocate for enhancing Indigenous representation during convocation. She urged the graduating class to always remember a quote from Nelson Mandela: “It always seems impossible until it’s done”.
Eminent Chancellor, President, Chair of the Board of Governors, graduands, friends and family.
Standing here today brings a flood of memories. I’ve stood at this podium many times as chancellor and everyone on this stage today knows I love convocation. But today is different and I’ll admit to feeling humbled, more than a bit nervous, and incredibly grateful for this tremendous honour.
I have so many people to thank. My family is all here and so are many of my wonderful friends. All the people on the stage today. To all of you, thank you so much for your support, your inspiration and your kindness.
I want to say a special thanks to the University of Alberta. In untold ways, this sometimes maddening and complicated place has been a gift to me and to countless students who have crossed this stage. I continue to be amazed by the ideas, the creativity, the perplexing conversations, the bold promise to find cures, seek solutions, and build a better future. For all its challenges – and there always will be many – this truly is a remarkable place.
When I was installed as chancellor, I had been to New York and visited the Whitney Museum. I spotted a key chain with a quote from Nelson Mandela that read: “It always seems impossible until it’s done”.
At the time, it seemed appropriate. Because it felt impossible that I would become the Chancellor of the University of Alberta. And yet it happened. Throughout my career, I’ve had those doubts so many times – the doubts that creep up in the middle of the night, right along with my old friend the imposter syndrome.
It's why I’m especially grateful to be speaking to the graduates from the Faculty of Arts. Unlike your peers in engineering or education, medicine or dentistry, law or business, your future path is not predetermined.
It can feel uncertain, maybe even frightening. But instead of dwelling on the uncertainties, think about an arts degree as a degree in possibility. Because you have no idea how many doors will open for you. And I guarantee the path you’re on today will not be the path you end up on years from now.
When I graduated, I had no idea what would come next. I accepted a one-year internship which turned into a rewarding career with the provincial government. Along the way, I found the skills that shaped my career – the ability to write, to think, and to turn complex ideas into understandable stories. All things I learned at university but had no idea I could turn them into a successful business that took me on an amazing journey that continues to this day.
Then came another knock on the door, this time from ATB. Saying yes led to ten wonderful years, facing new challenges and doing things I thought were impossible, until they happened.
The next turn came when we visited Oxford to see my good friend Carolyn Campbell. We talked about who we should nominate to be the next chancellor, then Carolyn turned to me and said, what about you?
It had never entered my mind. But saying yes opened up four remarkable years at this university that I wouldn’t trade for a minute.
The point of this meandering about the many twists and turns of my career is simply to tell you that my story can be yours. You’re graduating with a degree in possibility. Be open to opportunities that surprise you. Don’t be afraid to say yes and see what happens. Your lives will not be a straight line – find joy and opportunity in all the twists and turns. The world may not always know it, but the critical thinkers, the passionate debaters of ideas, the creators, artists, storytellers and seekers of understanding and truth … the world desperately needs them more than ever. It needs more of you.
It seems fitting that, once again, I’ve returned from another trip to New York. This time, my inspiration came from the Broadway play, Good Night, and Good Luck. The play explores the confrontation between the journalist, Edward R. Murrow (played by George Clooney) and Senator Joseph McCarthy. In closing, the message switches from the 1950s to the United States today. Murrow quotes a line from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar when Cassius turns to Brutus and says, “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves.” That line underscores the play’s central theme: that individuals must take responsibility for resisting fear and defending truth in times of political pressure.
This may not be the 1950s but we are living in incredibly challenging times with some striking parallels. A time when misinformation and wild conspiracy theories are in a constant battle with truth, and truth, too often, seems to be losing. A time when horrible wars continue. When our closest neighbour and ally, the United States, has thrown Canada off balance with threats to become the 51st state.
In the face of these overwhelming challenges, it’s tempting to throw up our hands in despair and think, there’s nothing I can do.
Those thoughts of helplessness remind me of meeting Dr. Brian Cox, a brilliant astrophysicist and science communicator who received an honorary degree from the University of Alberta in 2022. Brian was speaking at the Jubilee Auditorium. In his black jeans and black sweater, he strolled the stage against a backdrop of planets, galaxies and stars. And there was earth. A tiny speck amongst a vast expanse of space.
Toward the end of his talk, he was asked: Do you believe there’s life on other planets? Much to my disappointment, he said no. But then he posed his own question: if we are the only intelligent species in the universe, what responsibility do we have?
I haven’t stopped thinking about that question. I’m not sure we’re doing such a great job of looking after our planet. Looking after our community. Looking after each other.
And that’s why I look to all of you. Those words are a reminder that you’re graduating today not with just a degree, but with both a responsibility and an opportunity. A responsibility to not stay silent, to sit on the sidelines or to blame our fate on the stars, but to show up and get engaged in any way you can. And a genuine opportunity to use everything you’ve learned and will keep learning to make our communities, our province and our country, and yes, even the planet, a better place. My hopes lie with all of you today.
Thank you, congratulations and good luck to every one of you. Remember, it may seem impossible until it’s done.