Carleton’s Sprott School of Business celebrates the Class of 2021
On June 21, Carleton University’s Sprott School of Business welcomed 532 new graduates to its alumni community of over 13,000 graduates worldwide. The School celebrated the Class of 2021 in a virtual ceremony that evening.
“You’ve charted unprecedented challenges to arrive at this day and have seized your opportunity to get an education and to start a journey to making this world a better place,” said Dana Brown, dean of the Sprott School of Business.
The event featured a keynote address by Debra Armstrong (BCom/87), CEO of Skate Canada, who spoke to grads about building a sustainable future.
Debra emphasized the importance of meeting one’s own individual needs but doing so in a way that does not compromise the ability of future generations to meet theirs. She said that as future leaders they will have the opportunity to help build a sustainable future, and they should be prepared to do what’s needed of them.
“Sustainability requires us to do the right thing, even if it isn’t the easiest choice to make.”
She also reminded them that while they will surely reach great heights in their careers, they should “pace themselves”.
“Never forget that a career is a marathon not a sprint,” Debra said. “You are intelligent, well-educated, hard-working, and passionate. The primary difference between you and me is about 8,000 of the days I noted a few minutes ago. Experience can’t be learned from a book or a course, it needs to be acquired. You need to live it, which means it takes time.”
She concluded her talk by telling the graduates that working towards sustainability is complex but at the same time many of the things they can do to ensure a sustainable future for everyone are fairly simple.
“Perhaps these thoughts will resonate and sustain you on the road that lies ahead: breathe, care for yourself and others, do the right thing, remember you have an incredible toolbox, live your best lives.”
Congratulations to all Carleton graduates! Be sure to check out the Sprott Great Grads video series to hear reflections from members of the Class of 2021.