Published by Communications and Public Affairs (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338
News Release
March 28, 2005
Last Lecture Set for Graduating Students
U of G will hold its fourth annual “Last Lecture,” April 7 to give graduating students an opportunity to reflect on their time here and to recognize their achievements inside and outside the classroom. This year’s theme, taken from the motto of Leaders Today, an organization whose mandate is to empower youth to become socially involved, is: “We Are the Generation We Have Been Waiting For.”
The event begins at 6 p.m. in War Memorial Hall and will feature talks by history professor David Murray, Guelph alumnus Louise Kent and graduating bachelor of arts and sciences student Deborah Di Liberto. A reception will follow at the Macdonald Stewart Art Centre.
Murray has been a faculty member at U of G since 1967 and was dean of the College of Arts from 1980 to 1992. In 1999, he received the College of Arts Teaching Excellence Award and the U of G Faculty Association Distinguished Professor Teaching Award. The author of five books and dozens of book chapters, he plans to retire in May.
Kent earned a degree in international development from Guelph in 2002. Since then, she has worked in Guyana with rural youth and has travelled across Southeast Asia. A former international youth co-ordinator for Free the Children, she promotes youth activism and social involvement and is currently working for Leaders Today as a motivational speaker.
Over the course of her university career, Di Liberto has been a student senator, co-chair of Student Senate Caucus and president of the BAS Students’ Association. She has also been involved with Interhall Council, Meal Exchange, Project Serve and theorientation program for new students.
“The purpose of the Last Lecture is to inspire opportunities for graduating students to reflect, celebrate and be inspired, as they gather one last time to hear parting words from a member of their class, a faculty member and a distinguished alumnus,” said Emilie Hayes of Student Life and Career Services. She encourages students to invite along a faculty or staff member who has contributed positively to their academic and personal growth. For more information contact Hayes at (519) 824-4120, Ext. 52782, or citizen@uoguelph.ca.
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt, (519) 824-4120, Ext. 53338, or Rebecca Kendall, Ext. 56982.
