Freshman Survival Guide p.

6-7
Thursday June 30, 2011 - Issue 1 www.thesputnik.ca

City flies pride flag

Mayor Chris Friel and Michael Dow are all smiles after Brantford raised a pride flag at city hall. (Photo by Allison Leonard)

Allison Leonard Staff Brantford broadened its diversity as Mayor Chris Friel raised a rainbow flag at city hall on Thursday, June 16, 2011. The event stemmed from an email sent to the

Mayor from the Brantford Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, Queer and Allies (LGBTQA) noting that they had yet to be publically recognized. Speeches were made by Friel, Brant MPP Dave Levac and Michael Dow, LGTBQA spokesperson.

This is the biggest flag-raising crowd weve ever had, remarked Friel. Over 100 community members, including Laurier faculty and staff, attended the ceremony that was followed by a brief social in Victoria Park. The location is great, says Kendry,

LGBTQA Media Spokesperson. Its right on campus and students especially need to know that they dont have to be scared and that we are here for them. Kendry further explained that recognition aside, Brantford Pride Week...

Story continued on page 2

Grads march into the Sanderson Centre. (Photo by Allison Leonard)

Laurier President Max Blouw. (Photo by Allison Leonard)

Christopher Palumbo receives his degree. (Photo by Kyle Brown)

Laurier Brantford says goodbye to over 300 grads

Kyle W Brown Editor-in-Chief Spread out over three ceremonies so as to make room for the graduates, their families, and friends at the Sanderson Centre downtown, excitement was alive in the air in Brantford as degrees were handed out to 337 Laurier Brantford students. Wearing black robes and carrying sashes in the traditional Laurier purple and gold which were later draped over them, each student took their turn having their name called, and walking across the stage to receive congratulations from both John Pollock, chancellor of Wilfrid Laurier University, and Bruce Arai, the dean of the Brantford campus. From there, the celebration filled the air as the two days were filled with emotion, memories, and dreams for the future for all of those who can now call themselves grads. The ceremonies started off with a rather long address from Pollock about Lauriers international ambitions followed by a Thanksgiving address, before the students were awarded their degrees. This is the most important celebration of the academic year, said Dr. Max Blouw, president and vice-chancellor of Laurier. This is a milestone in your life. Meanwhile, it wasnt just those who have been studying at Laurier Brantford who received their degrees, as 62 soon-tobe-teachers also received their education degrees from Nipissing-Brantford in the first ceremony. The occasions also offered both universities the opportunity to award honorary degrees. During the second convocation, Laurier presented H. Fisk Johnson, the chairman and CEO of SC Johnson, an honorary doctor of laws degree. Johnson, a fifth-generation family member to lead the 125-yearold company that has operatedin Brantford since 1920, recalled his own university experience. I stayed in school a while, Johnson joked with the crowd. My father used to say I was living proof that you could get through 10 years of fraternity parties and survive. Johnson also spoke the words from a Christmas speech by his great-grandfather from 1927, offering advice for the other graduates about to enter the business world. He said that the goodwill of people is the only enduring thing in any business. It is the sole substance.

Story continued on page 4

Meet Becca Carroll page 5

Hockeyfest pages 8&10

Notes from Ghana page 11