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Graduation is a time when communities come together to celebrate the accomplishments of both students and faculty. At the University of New Brunswick’s graduation ceremonies in Fredericton and Saint John this week, five valedictorians will address UNB’s graduating class of 2018. The university will also honour two outstanding professors.

UNB’s 189th Encaenia will be celebrated on May 16 and 17 with four ceremonies at the Richard J. CURRIE CENTER on the Fredericton campus.

Valedictorian Kayla Beck, from Oakville, Ont., will address students in the faculties of science and nursing on Wednesday, May 16, at 10 a.m.

Kayla Beck will graduate with a bachelor of nursing. During her time at UNB, she has helped her fellow students transition to university life and succeed academically by volunteering as a tutor, peer mentor and SafeRide driver. In the summer of 2017, Beck completed a three-month nursing internship in Malawi, gaining valuable experience as a health care professional. In 2016, she was chosen through a competitive process to receive a Summer Studentship award from the Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute and the New Brunswick Health Research Foundation. This allowed her to complete a research project on the relationships of childhood cancer survivors and their partners. Her work on this project reflects her developing proficiency in applying research to clinical judgment and practice.

Valedictorian Emmanuel Hebert, from Fredericton, will address students who are graduating from the faculties of business administration, education and kinesiology on Wednesday, May 16, at 2:30 p.m.

Emmanuel Herbert will graduate with a bachelor of science in kinesiology. During his time at UNB, he has been peer mentor and tutor, assisted with the organization of the kinesiology orientation, and served as the kinesiology and off-campus representative with UNB’s Student Union. Hebert was a member of the Red Bombers football team and served as an athletic therapist for the men’s volleyball team. Outside of his studies, he volunteers his time with children at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital and works to provide for his family. Hebert will go on to study medicine at Dalhousie University next fall.

Valedictorian Jacob Greenslade, from Bedford, N.S., will address students in the faculties of arts, law, Renaissance College, and in interdisciplinary studies, on Thursday, May 17, at 10 a.m.

Jacob Greenslade will graduate with a juris doctor. During his time at UNB, he has stood out as an academically strong, hard-working, empathetic and persevering individual. He has volunteered on the Law Society committee and with many other charity functions and event hosted through the faculty of law, including the annual charity auction. He mentors first-year law students on their advocacy skills and is a founding member of the faculty’s newspaper, Ludlow De Jure. Greenslade is dedicated to helping his fellow students – from helping to explain coursework to offering a friendly ear during high-stress times.

Valedictorian Andrew Robart, from Rothesay, will address students in the faculties of computer science, engineering and forestry & environmental management, on Thursday, May 17, at 2:30 p.m.

Andrew Robart will graduate with a bachelor of science in engineering. Robart started his university career at the Saint John campus and transferred to Fredericton in the fall of 2016. During his time at Saint John, he balanced excelling in his studies with playing for the Seawolves varsity basketball team. He was active in numerous community organizations – including serving as the director of the UNB Saint John Engineering Society, a member of the Youth Advisory Committee for KV Oasis Youth Centre and the founder of UNB’s Water and Engineering Brigade for Global Brigades. After transferring to Fredericton, his dedication to academic excellence and the university community continued. He became a UNB Student Union Orientation leader, president of UNB Global Brigades and co-chair of the Atlantic Leadership Summit. In 2018, he was part of a team that took home first place at the Canadian Engineering Competition for their design of a 3D-printed prosthetic hand for toddlers.

UNB’s 44th spring convocation in Saint John will be celebrated on Friday, May 18, at the G. Forbes Elliot Athletics Centre.

Valedictorian Arfan Hajizadeh, from Rothesay, will address students at the 2 p.m. ceremony.

Arfan Hajizadeh will graduate with a bachelor of science degree, with a biology-psychology major and a chemistry minor. While at UNB Saint John, Hajizadeh has been a dean’s list student each year, mentor with the Promise Partnership, Learning Community leader, and a founder of both UNB Saint John’s Global Brigades and TEDxUNB Saint John. In March 2018, he was recognized by the UNB Associated Alumni with a Graduating Student Leader Award. This past February, Fusion Saint John presented him with a Faces of Fusion ‘Intrapreneur’ Award, which is given to individuals who have been part of or the lead on an innovation within a company or organization. Throughout his time at UNB Saint John, he has received numerous scholarships and prizes for his strong academic work. An exemplary student, Hajizadeh plans to pursue dentistry at McGill University in the fall.

The designation of professor emeritus will be bestowed upon the following professors for their accomplishments and commitment to teaching, research and administration:

• Prof. Rodney Cooper, professor emeritus in computer science
• Dr. David A. MacLean, professor emeritus in forestry & environmental management

Media contacts

• Fredericton: Hannah Classen
• Saint John: Heather Campbell