Mr. Chancellor, Chair of the Board of Governors, Colleagues, Graduands, Distinguished guests, family, and Friends.
It is a deep honor for me to assume the office of the 6th President of this great University. I accept this honor with eagerness and humility, knowing full well that I follow in the footsteps of predecessors who have provided Waterloo with extraordinary leadership over the past 54 years. Presidents Gerald Hagey, Burt Matthews, Douglas Wright, and Jim Downey. It is truly inspiring to step into a position that has been held by such high-quality leaders who have all played critical roles in building this university.
And I would of course like to acknowledge my immediate predecessor, (His Excellency the Right Honourable) David Johnston, first, for his innumerable contributions to this university, and second, for placing his trust in me when I arrived at the University of Waterloo in 2009 to serve as VP Academic and Provost. I could not have asked for a greater mentor, teacher, and a friend.
These remarkable individuals' visionary leadership and sound administration have led this institution through both good and difficult times. They helped put this university on the map of the world. Today, we are proud that our institution has come so far, and stands so tall.
They have also provided us with a unique legacy that is respected by all, a legacy that we will guard and treasure. Our future will be further built on this great foundation they have helped establish.
Today, after centuries of service, the importance of the academy has never been greater.
Our universities have lived their mission of generating and disseminating knowledge, and have served as places of free expression and discussion of ideas. They help us develop a more comprehensive understanding and appreciation of the complexity of societal life, and of the consequences of the decisions we make.
The spirit of democracy is now reflected more than ever in our educational system, with opportunities open to students from all corners of our society, from 17 year-olds to senior citizens, from first-generation students to students coming from thousands of miles away to receive that education.
Our society's need of - and its reliance on - institutions of higher learning is expressed through the many investments made directly by students and their supporters; and further through the investments of our governments in grants, research, and innovation.
We should be free to ask: why do we invest so much in our universities?
Looking across the full breadth of the contributions made by institutions of higher learning, we understand that universities are the bridge to the future, and the incubators of future health and global prosperity.
In turn, society expects a return on its considerable investment in us:
It expects talent, new knowledge, and discoveries.
It expects an enhanced quality of life.
It expects innovation that drives our country’s economy.
It expects the next generation of leaders to be equipped with the best tools and values to meet the demands and challenges of our world.
Let me now turn to that most important obligation to society: the education of the next generation of citizens and leaders, our students, the graduating class.
It is an honour to stand before you today and to have the opportunity to serve this amazing institution in the coming years.
And it is an honour to take part in the celebration of your educational journey.
But how did we get here? And where do we go from here?
Thirty years ago this September, I was standing in New York City, a newcomer to this continent.
I had all of $600 dollars in my pocket, and my first nights’ stay in a New York Hotel cost me $80 dollars of it.
I cannot tell you how painful it was for me to take that money out of my wallet and fork it over. 10 per cent gone for one night’s stay.
But that cash was not the only thing I had in my pocket, it was not the only thing I had brought with me from home as I took my first steps into the unknown.
Graduates, the Physical Activities Complex may not exactly be Times Square or the arrivals terminal at John F. Kennedy International Airport, but you are all standing at the beginning of your journey into a new world, just like I was 30 years ago.
What are you taking with you?
It’s not just the money you might have left in your pockets.
It is your values.
It is your education.
Your experiences to this point have given you the competence and the confidence to go places you have never been before.
But first, let me talk to you about values.
Sir Campbell Stuart wrote, “…it is from the deep sense of humane values commonly shared…that we draw our deepest strength.”
I speak here of the importance of family and friends.
Their love, trust in you and support are essential.
Second, your education.
It was a university degree that brought me to North America to continue my educational journey.
A passport unlike any other.
Your experiences will shape your journey.
My personal journey from student to academic to administrator helped me learn the importance of a strategic focus for a university’s research and teaching efforts.
As I learned, and took on new responsibilities, I was able to widen my thinking and appreciate how students are integrated into the overall picture.
I speak of the importance of the student experience, and your role in driving the institution as key stakeholders.
Everything that we do as a university needs to focus on students. These are fundamental questions: how can we add value? How can we enable our students to become more knowledgeable? How can we encourage and motivate more well-rounded, global citizens? And most importantly, how can we help them become more successful both while they are at the university, and after they graduate?
The answers will be found at Waterloo.
In the end, I believe that what attracted me to the University of Waterloo is exactly what attracted you to the University of Waterloo as students:
A chance to make a difference. To connect your areas of interest to real solutions that have an impact in the world outside the campus.
Second, high quality teachers and researchers.
Exciting, innovative and unique programs.
Opportunities for collaboration, connection, and experiential learning.
As a professor, a researcher, and administrator, and now as president, I have a broader sense of the university’s place in the world.
As a place where leaders of tomorrow get their start.
As an innovation engine for our country and the world.
As a place of collaboration and connection that has forged links with the community, with industry, with all levels of government, and with other countries.
Graduates, you stand poised to take important next steps in your life’s journey with an incredible advantage, and I say that with full respect to the other post-secondary institutions represented here today.
You have spent valuable time at an institution where learning is combined with research and where connections – your connections with one another, connections in between disciplines, connections among academia, government, and industry – are highly prized.
The University of Waterloo represents a successful integration of student focus and research excellence.
What Waterloo has done with research and scholarship, teaching and learning, and connection and service, is absolutely distinctive. And I pledge to continue this tradition as we make the University of Waterloo a model for a 21st Century university.
It is our hope that in addition to your fundamental educational experience, we have equipped you with the values, the confidence, and the drive to ensure your success.
We believe that education is a collective act, and a collective responsibility. Our alumni, a family of more than 155,000 that you are now joining, are key parts of that collectivity.
Today I am excited about the University of Waterloo’s future. And excited about your future.
As you take your first steps on the shore of a new world, a place you may never thought you’d be, I invite you to remember where you came from, and what you have learned.
Find opportunities to apply your knowledge. To make things better. Make the most of your connections to one another.
And when you look back, you might say that your future started here.
If I can return to values and education for a moment, my own academic future started when my mother noticed me imitating my older brothers as they did their homework, and realized that I was ready to go to school a year early. That was the beginning of my journey into my education.
Speaking personally, I was fortunate to have a lot of support and valuable mentorship along the way.
My thesis supervisors in Turkey and in Canada always pushed me to the next level of performance and excellence and helped me grow as a better researcher and individual.
I had many friends and colleagues who always provided me with their unselfish and unlimited support. Some of them, who traveled great distances to take part in this great moment in my life, are here today. Al, Bill, Duncan, Stuart, Brian, Jean Jacques, thanks so much for being here today with me.
I must also thank many of my university president colleagues and their representatives who have joined us.
As well, thanks to Chancellor Watsa, our Board, its Chair Bob Harding and Senate for their confidence in me and for their support.
I would also like to thank the entire University of Waterloo community for being so welcoming, ever since my wife and I arrived here.
Lastly, but most importantly, I would like to thank my family.
Without their love, sacrifices, and unwavering support, I would not be able to be here today to accept this great honour. My wife, my partner, my friend Cathy and my sons Brian and Kevin.
You moved around this country many times, giving up your school, career or friendships for me because I needed to move. You were my source of aspiration, and my fuel.
I could not have asked for better partners on this leg of my own life’s journey, and the best is yet to come.
Graduates, you can be proud of what you have accomplished through your hard work and dedication. And for you too, the best is yet to come?
But I ask you, who in your life can you credit with supporting you in your educational journey? Who pushed you, and urged you to succeed? Your family, your partners, your supporter, or the friends you made here at Waterloo? I hope both. Celebrate those relationships. Maintain those connections.
Thank you very much.