Quaecumque Vera

Quaecumque Vera. Whatsoever things are true. The motto of the University of Alberta, my beloved alma mater.

Today, as a member of the University of Alberta Senate, I had the honour and privilege of being part of the platform procession for Convocation. What an incredible feeling to come into the Auditorium to Pomp and Circumstance as part of a centuries old tradition. To come in as an established member of the academic community to welcome its newest members. I have come full circle.

The most remarkable moment was when we stepped on to the stage and turned to face the audience. In front of us was a sea of caps and hoods (the hood is draped over the shoulders; the colour of the satin identifies what department you belong to). I sat out there once. Now I was on the stage with the Chancellor, the University President, the Chair of the Board of Governors, my fellow Senators, Honorary Doctorate recipients and esteemed members of the University's faculty. It filled me with incredible joy.

In some part, I felt so grateful to have my graduate work so far behind me. It's been 15 years since I got my Master's degree. 15 years!! Even so, I remember the pain of it. The burden of it. The sinking feeling that I'd never get it done. The increasing resentment I felt towards my advisor, whose instructions and feedback required a cryptographer to decipher. The knowledge that my thesis was not nearly my best piece of work, but merely the only piece of work I was capable of producing at the time. I'd written far better papers as an undergraduate. Far better. Still it was done and I'd fulfilled the requirements. I was 28 when I got my M.A. 28. At the time, I thought I was a slacker. I should have been done when I was 26. I could have been. Easily. Apparently not so easily. Now, at 43, I realize how young I was to have a graduate degree.

It has made all the difference. People have asked me what on earth a person can do with a Master's degree in English. My answer: anything. It has opened doors. It trained me to be a respected and sought after writer. It taught me to think and to question, to wonder and to dream. And, perhaps most importantly, it has helped me impress women.

Most of all, though, my time at the University left me with one purpose in my life: to seek out, to the best of my ability, whatsoever things are true.

Congratulations to the University of Alberta's Class of 2007.