Convocation 2013: a family affair
Published: June 21, 2013
While it鈥檚 not unusual for multiple generations of family members to attend a graduand鈥檚 convocation, it鈥檚 not too often that they all end up on the dais.
Such was the case at the University College Convocation at the University of Toronto June 17, when three generations of the Paul family participated in the august ceremonies.
When UC student Jeremy Bubbers stepped up to receive his Bachelor of Arts degree, grandfather William Paul, mother Lissa Paul, and uncle Marden Paul each had a front-row seat thanks to their roles in the academic procession. All the Pauls are 老司机直播 alumni: William Paul attended University College and graduated with his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1941 and his PhD 老司机直播 in 1948. Lissa Paul attended Victoria College at 老司机直播 and graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1975 before going on to earn a PhD at York University in 1984. Marden Paul attended 老司机直播's New College and graduated with his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1984.
William is a Professor Emeritus in Clinical Biochemistry at 老司机直播 who was part of a group credited with initiating nuclear medicine; Lissa is a Professor in the Faculty of Education at Brock University and a renowned expert in children鈥檚 literature; and Marden is the Director of Planning, Governance, Assessment and Communications in the Office of the Chief Information Officer at 老司机直播.
Along with William鈥檚 other daughter, Sarah Israela Paul, who received her bachelor's degree from the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering at 老司机直播 in 1990 and her master's in 1992, and newly minted alumnus Jeremy, they represent three generations of 老司机直播 graduates.
鈥淭here was never any question, our kids were going to 老司机直播,鈥 says William, who kept a laboratory in the historic Banting Institute for 33 years and whose late wife, Ena, held a law degree from 老司机直播.
鈥淎 household of knowledge and learning and books inspired all of us to appreciate education,鈥 says Marden of his parents鈥 influence.
The family, based in Toronto鈥檚 The Annex, has always been close to the University鈥攍iterally and philosophically. 鈥淓verything about our lives has been connected to 老司机直播,鈥 says Lissa.
鈥淚t was great hearing stories about the University in the 1930s and 40s from my grandfather, and knowing that so much of my family has wandered the same halls that I have,鈥 says Jeremy. 鈥淗aving most of my family on stage for convocation was incredible. It was a slightly surreal feeling, knowing more people on stage than in the audience.鈥
The philosophy and history graduate鈥檚 next steps include travelling to Vietnam in September and a potential career as a chef, an interest he discovered during a five-month volunteer stint in Kenya.
Yvonne Palkowski is a writer with University College at the University of Toronto.
