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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, five valedictorians will address UNB’s graduating classes of 2019. The university will also honour two outstanding professors.

UNB Fredericton’s 190th Encaenia will be celebrated on May 29 and 30 with four ceremonies at the Richard J. CURRIE CENTER.

UNB Saint John’s 45th Spring Convocation ceremony will be celebrated on May 31 at the G. Forbes Elliot Athletics Centre.

Seshu Iyengar

Valedictorian Seshu Iyengar, from Fredericton, will address students in the faculties of forestry and environmental management, science and nursing on Wednesday, May 29, at 10 a.m.

Seshu Iyengar will graduate with a concurrent bachelor of arts and bachelor of science. During his time at UNB, he achieved strong academic success while positively contributing to student life in a number of capacities. As a philosophy and biology-physics student, Seshu served on the Student Union Council as Faculty of Science Representative and president of both UNB’s Philosophy Society and Vegan and Vegetarian Society. He served on the Senate Teaching and Excellence Priority Committee as a student representative, was chair of the Atlantic Undergraduate Physics and Astronomy Conference and was an organizer of UNB Arts Matters, giving undergraduate students the opportunity to present their research to the UNB community.

Seshu is a Sir Howard Douglas Scholar and volunteered with the Fredericton Constituency Youth Council to present a report on youth homelessness to the Government of Canada. He has presented at four undergraduate conferences, gave the keynote address at the 2018 Global Brigades Student Leadership Conference, and was a speaker at UNB TEDx in March 2016. He will be starting his PhD in physics at the University of Toronto this fall studying biophysical modelling of aging and lifespan.

Kristian D’Amore

Valedictorian Kristian D’Amore, from Oakville, Ont., will address students in the faculties of business administration, education and kinesiology on Wednesday, May 29, at 2:30 p.m.

Kristian D’Amore will graduate with a bachelor of recreation and sport studies. A student-athlete with a keen interest in the business of sport, sport marketing, event management, branding and sponsorship, he is passionate about fostering innovative change in the communities in which he lives and works. Kristian was awarded U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian status four years running while playing for the UNB men’s soccer team and served on the UNB Reds Athletes Council for four years.

He was also part of the organizing committee for the Coupe U Cup Men’s Hockey Championships in 2017 and 2018. A Sir Howard Douglas Scholar, Kristian is equally committed to student life as he is sport and academics. He was the UNB Student Union’s first ever Director of Campus Events in 2018-19, helping to enhance the student experience on campus with innovative and exciting initiatives. He is currently working with the International University Sport Federation as the International Technical Officer and Technical Services Coordinator for the Napoli 2019 Summer Universiade.

Alison Balcom

Valedictorian Alison Balcom, from Fredericton, will address students in the faculties of Arts, Law, Renaissance College, and Interdisciplinary Studies on Thursday, May 30, at 10 a.m.

Alison Balcom will graduate with a bachelor of philosophy in interdisciplinary leadership from Renaissance College with minors in sociology and business. Throughout her five years at UNB, she has been deeply invested in initiatives that improve the experience of students learning and living at UNB. She was elected as Vice-President Internal of the Student Union in 2018 and served on the Joint Nominating Committee for the Office of the President. Her final year of studies also included serving as a Proctor at MacKenzie House, membership on the Strategic Planning Committee and UNB Fredericton Senate.

Within the Student Union, she co-launched the 2018 Breaking Stereotypes campaign in an effort to combat misconceptions associated with people’s gender. Volunteering has been central to Alison’s university experience, demonstrated through serving twice as both an Orientation Executive Leader (BlackShirt) and Treasurer of the Renaissance College Society. She was communications lead for the inaugural RED Awards Gala, an International Student Peer Mentor and partner with UNB SPRING. Alison has participated in a number of national conferences and speaking engagements. Her internship at Sherubtse College in the Kingdom of Bhutan was a highlight of her student career at UNB.

Emily Weston

Valedictorian Emily Weston, from Moncton, will address students in the faculties of engineering and computer science on Thursday, May 30, at 2:30 p.m.

Emily Weston will graduate with a bachelor of science in chemical engineering with a minor in math. Emily has devoted her time at UNB toward the goal of improving the quality of people’s lives. Whether it is through the work she has done as a research assistant, helping develop an informative app for upper limb prosthesis clients, to volunteering with UNB Global Brigades to construct a water system in Honduras as part of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, Emily is driven by her passion for volunteerism.

Among her many accomplishments, she was a 2018 panelist for the Atlantic Association for Research in Mathematical Sciences to help inspire young girls pursuing STEM fields and was first place winner in chemical engineering at UNB’s annual 2019 Engineering Design Symposium. Emily is the recipient of a number of scholarships, including the Edwin Jacob Special University Scholarship, the Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline Scholarship in Engineering and the Greenblatt Memorial Scholarship. Post-graduation, she plans on pursuing a master’s degree in chemical and biomedical engineering.

Min Ji Kim

Valedictorian Min Ji Kim, from Incheon, Korea, will address students in the faculties of arts; science, applied science and engineering; and business on Friday, May 31, at 2 p.m.

Min Ji Kim is an honours student graduating with a bachelor of science, with a major in biology-psychology and a minor in chemistry and statistics. While at UNB Saint John, Min Ji has been a dean’s list student, Learning Community Leader, Teaching Assistant and Let’s Talk Science volunteer. In addition, she supported students for three years as the ‘Science, Applied Science & Engineering’ representative on student council. Min Ji has conducted research on bone marrow cancer and the multisensory processes of music.

As Vice-President of the Golden Key Society, she has assisted in the promotion of academics, leadership and service. Recognized as both a Schulich Leader and a UNB Graduating Student Leader, she is also a SHAD Fellow, Schulich Leader and a member of the Campus Choir. Min Ji is an active volunteer off campus as well. She is a medical first responder with St. John Ambulance, a civilian volunteer with the Navy League of Canada, and a volunteer at the Horizon Health Network. Her commitment to her academic achievements has been recognized with several awards and scholarships including a Canadian Council for Public Affairs Advancement Scholarship and a NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award.

Professors emeriti

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

• Dr. Nancy Nason-Clark, professor emerita in sociology
• Dr. John Johnson, professor emeritus in biological sciences

Media contacts

• Fredericton: Hilary Creamer Robinson
• Saint John: Heather Campbell