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    Spring convocation comes to a close

    Four ceremonies and an honourary degree round out 2018/2019 graduation events.

    • Honorary degree recipient Gerald Sutton (Com'48) shakes the hand of Rector Alex Da Silva during the convocation ceremony for the Smith School of Business Commerce program on June 11, 2019. (Queen's University/Garrett Elliott)
      Honorary degree recipient Gerald Sutton (Com'48) shakes the hand of Rector Alex Da Silva during the convocation ceremony for the Smith School of Business Commerce program on June 11, 2019. (Queen's University/Garrett Elliott)
    • Smith School of Business Commerce graduates being hooded during a convocation ceremony on June 11.
      Smith School of Business Commerce graduates being hooded during a convocation ceremony on June 11. (Queen's University/Garrett Elliott)
    • Graduating Commerce students attending spring convocation on June 11, 2019.
      Graduating Commerce students attending spring convocation on June 11, 2019. (Queen's University/Garrett Elliott)
    • A graduate of the Smith School of Business Commerce class smiles after being presented with a Pendleton blanket.
      A graduate of the Smith School of Business Commerce class smiles after being presented with a Pendleton blanket. (Queen's University/Garrett Elliott)
    • A Commerce graduate shakes hands with David Saunders, Dean of Smith School of Business.
      A Commerce graduate shakes hands with David Saunders, Dean of Smith School of Business. (Queen's University/Garrett Elliott)
    • Engineering and Applied Science students arriving to June 12, 2019 spring convocation.
      Engineering and Applied Science students arriving to June 12, 2019 spring convocation. (Queen's University/Garrett Elliott)
    • Engineering and Applied Science students seated with their peers during the June 12, 2019 convocation ceremony.
      Engineering and Applied Science students seated with their peers during the June 12, 2019 convocation ceremony. (Queen's University/Garrett Elliott)
    • Daniel Woolf addresses Engineering and Applied Science graduates at Spring convocation; his last ceremony as Principal and Vice-Chancellor.
      Daniel Woolf addresses Engineering and Applied Science graduates at Spring convocation; his last ceremony as Principal and Vice-Chancellor. (Queen's University/Garrett Elliott)
    • Kevin Deluzio, Dean of Engineering and Applied Science, addresses graduates at spring convocation.
      Kevin Deluzio, Dean of Engineering and Applied Science, addresses graduates at spring convocation. (Queen's University/Garrett Elliott)
    • A graduate of the Engineering and Applied Science class being presented with a Pendleton blanket.
      A graduate of the Engineering and Applied Science class being presented with a Pendleton blanket. (Queen's University/Garrett Elliott)
    • An Engineering and Applied Science student shakes hands with university Chancellor Jim Leech.
      An Engineering and Applied Science student shakes hands with university Chancellor Jim Leech. (Queen's University/Garrett Elliott)

    Spring Convocation has officially come to a close following four ceremonies this week.

    On Tuesday, June 11, the season's final honorary degree was conferred upon Gerald Sutton, former president of Canada's first venture capital company.

    Gerald Sutton arrived in Canada from England in 1941 and settled in Chatham, Ont. Two years later he joined the RCAF at the age of 17 and would be commissioned as a pilot. Following his service he enrolled in the Commerce program Queen’s University, graduating in 1948. A year later he graduated from the Master of Commerce program. Working in the head office of the Bank of Montreal he would become Assistant Economic Adviser but left in 1958 to be Director of Research at Nesbitt, Thompson And Company Limited, now BMO Nesbitt Burns. In 1961 he organized Canada’s first venture capital company, Canadian Enterprise Development Corporation Limited (CED). He was appointed General Manager in 1964 and subsequently President of CED. Throughout his career, Sutton was also a pioneer in organizing and supporting not-for-profit organizations to improve the quality of life for developmentally handicapped people. Sutton and his wife Margaret, also a graduate of Queen’s, are enthusiastic supporters of Queen’s and have established a number of bursaries, awards and scholarships. Two rooms in Goodes Hall bear their names.

    Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science undergraduates were conferred during the final spring ceremony on the afternoon of Wednesday, June 12. The occasion also marked Daniel Woolf's final convocation as Principal and Vice-Chancellor, before he leaves the post on June 30 after 10 years of service.

    A total of 18 ceremonies were held for Spring Convocation, with seven honorary degrees conferred by Queen’s during the events.

    More photos of this season's convocation events can be viewed at the Queen’s University page on flickr.