Tuesday, May 26, 2008 - Graduates: More than 2,100 graduates will be honoured over four ceremonies

Cambrian College will honour both Mayor John Rodriguez and Cambrian Alumna Gayle Hawes at its 40th annual Convocation ceremonies being held at the College’s Barrydowne campus.

John Rodriguez, Mayor of the City of Greater Sudbury, will receive the prestigious Dr. Fred Sheridan Award at the 2 p.m. ceremony on Friday, May 30. Gayle Hawes, Cambrian Alumna, will receive the Cambrian College Alumni Award at the 2 p.m. ceremony on Thursday, May 29.

The Dr. Fred Sheridan Award

The Dr. Fred Sheridan Award is one of Cambrian’s most prestigious awards. It was introduced by Cambrian College in 1992 and is named for Fred Sheridan — a visionary who was a long-time friend and supporter of Cambrian College and who, until his death in 1990, gave generously of his time and energy to all levels of education.

In keeping with Dr. Sheridan’s long-standing community involvement and focus on education and training, The Dr. Fred Sheridan Award recognizes contributions to the advancement and betterment of society through extraordinary service to education.

This year’s recipient is John Rodriguez.

John Rodriguez emigrated from Guyana in 1956 and came to the Sudbury region in 1962 to assume the role of principal of St. Paul’s school in Coniston. His leadership abilities and his passion for community eventually led him to political life, first as a member of municipal council in the town of Coniston and later as a member of parliament for the riding of Nickel Belt.

During his 18 years in federal politics, Rodriguez worked to improve the economic well being of the Sudbury area and the quality of life of its citizens. A vibrant and respected politician, Rodriguez served on numerous committees, including the Standing Committee on Finance, Trade and Economic Affairs; the Standing Committee on Labour, Employment and Immigration; the Standing Committee on Regional Development; and the Standing Committee on Indian Affairs and Northern Development.

In 2006, thirteen years after leaving federal politics, Rodriguez entered the local political arena, becoming the Mayor of the City of Greater Sudbury. A strong advocate for community growth and development, Rodriguez has worked diligently to shape the community’s strategy for growth in areas such as mining and mining research, health care, arts and culture, and recreation. His on-going discussions with senior executives at Vale Inco have led to an agreement to pursue mining research opportunities, which could include a mining research park involving industry, the education sector, and the community to explore a value-added approach to mining.

A grassroots politician, Rodriguez has established a number of citizen advisory panels, has worked to breathe life into the report prepared by Floyd Laughren, Chair of the Community Solutions Team, and has taken action to enable the Community Action Networks (CANs) to bring their plans to fruition.

In addition to his many accomplishments as an educator and a political leader, Rodriguez is a long- time volleyball coach, a former member of the Board of Governors of the Ontario Teachers’ Federation, and a past President of both the local and provincial Catholic Teacher’s Union. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Spanish Literature from Laurentian University.

The Cambrian College Alumni Award

The Cambrian College Alumni Award recognizes Cambrian alumni who have exhibited outstanding contributions to Cambrian College and to society through professional excellence and extraordinary service to education.

This year’s recipient is Gayle Hawes, a 1969 honours graduate of Cambrian’s Social Services Worker program, who has the distinction of being a member of the first graduating class of Cambrian College.

Hawes began her employment with the Children’s Aid Society of Sudbury upon graduation from Cambrian, and after 36 years with the agency, she retired in December 2007. During her career with the Children’s Aid Society, Hawes held a variety of positions in a number of departments, including child protection, children’s services, foster care, public relations, and more recently, staff training.

In addition to her professional achievements, Hawes’s on-going support for children and youth has been evidenced in her many volunteer activities. Over the years, she has given of her time and expertise to a number of local and provincial boards, associations, and committees, including the Lo-Ellen Park Playground Association, the Sudbury Ringuette Association, and the Parent’s Council for R.L. Beattie Public School. In addition, Hawes was a member of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Mental Health Association, a member of the Special Education Advisory Committee with the Sudbury Board of Education, a member of the Ontario Association of Children's Aid Society’s Training Committee, and also served on numerous local and regional committees related to her work in child welfare. Hawes and her husband Wayne have two married children, Pamela Bronicheski, and Paul, and four grandsons.

Awards and Medals

Cambrian’s 40th annual Convocation ceremonies will also feature the presentation of seven additional awards and medals—the President’s Gold Medal, the President’s Silver Medal, the Governor General’s Academic Medal, three Certificates of Recognition, and the President’s Award for Excellence – Faculty category.

Convocation Ceremonies

Cambrian’s 2008 graduating class will be honoured during four ceremonies—two on Thursday and two on Friday.

Thursday, May 29, 2008 – 10 a.m.
Health Sciences and Emergency Services

Thursday, May 29, 2008 – 2 p.m.
Justice, Access and Community Services

Friday, May 30, 2008 – 10 a.m.
Computer and Engineering Technology
Trades and Apprenticeship
College Transitional Skills

Friday, May 30, 2008 – 2 p.m.
Community and Workforce Development
Business, Media and Creative Arts
Part-time Studies

For the recipient of the President’s Award for Excellence, read the Media Release, or for information on the Gold, Silver, and Governor General Awards Winners, download the communique (PDF). For more on the 2008 Convocation Ceremonies, read the News Feature.

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