Tuesday at U of S spring convocation

June 2
9 am and 2 pm
TCU Place, 35 22 Street East, Saskatoon

9 am Ceremony:

Graduating: Arts and Science, Centre for Continuing and Distance Education (Certificate in Adult and Continuing Education, Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language, Certificate in English for Academic Purposes) and School of Public Health.

Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree:  Deborah Chatsis

Ms. Chatsis has enjoyed a long and distinguished career in Ottawa and across the globe as a member of Canada's Foreign Service, but she originally called Prince Albert home. A graduate of the University of Saskatchewan, and a member of the Ahtahkakoop First Nation, Ms. Chatsis has served as Canada's Ambassador to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and in various roles in other nations.

Stories of interest:

Dylan Knowles, Master of Science, Computer Science, Unity, SK

Dylan Knowles has used hard work, a sharp intellect and his creative skills to change how we measure and understand human behaviour. His award-winning master's thesis describes a technique for turning the ubiquitous smartphone into an all-purpose measurement device for understanding human behaviour. Mr. Knowles' work has already been used by researchers around the world to make innovative contributions to geography, sociology and public health, and he recently started his own business — Minus Fifty Software — that already has clients in Australia and the United States.

Brett Trost, PhD, Computer Science, Saskatoon, SK

When Brett Trost receives the Governor General's Gold Medal at spring convocation for highest average, you could say it was because of a team effort. Mr. Trost has spent his academic career pushing his computer science studies in many areas of study, a so-called team approach to education. For example, his PhD in Computer Science is in the area of bioinformatics but touches multiple disciplines of study including veterinary microbiology, human physiology and cell biology, parasitology and entomology, plant biochemistry and biochemistry. His studies led him to collaborate in multiple other areas including environmental toxicology, immunology, vaccinology and pediatrics. During his studies at the U of S, Mr. Trost's accomplishments ranged from developing software that is being used by the U.S. National Institute of Health to help researchers study how Ebola infects cells, to working with researchers at VIDO-Intervac to develop software to help identify molecular markers in honeybees that make them resistant to certain parasites.

2 pm Ceremony:

Graduating: Arts and Science, School of Environment and Sustainability and School of Public Policy.

Stories of interest:

Linsay Martens, PhD in Public Policy, Warman, SK

Linsay Martens, who will receive his PhD in public policy this spring, has already found employment as chief of staff to Saskatchewan New Democrat Leader Cam Broten. The former Vanier Scholarship award winner is not the only graduate to land a job in government. Joining him are several other Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy 2015 graduates including:

• Jaime Leonard, Master of Public Policy student now employed as a Treasury Board analyst in the Budget and Program Review Section of the Ministry of Finance.


• Tyffany Amy, Master of Public Administration student now employed as a legislative analyst with the Policy and Program Services unit in the Ministry of Government Relations.


• Natasha Kikot, Master of Public Administration student now employed as an institutions analyst in the Universities and Private Vocational Schools unit in the Ministry of Advanced Education.

Jim Devries, PhD, Biology, Calgary, AB

Jim Devries is a biologist with Ducks Unlimited Canada and very active in the habitat conservation scene in Canada.  Several years ago, Jim decided that he wanted to challenge himself by pursuing a doctoral program in biology, involving a project that blended the theme areas of basic ecology and conservation biology. Jim has demonstrated a commitment to life-long learning by returning to school in mid-career with DU Canada. Jim's thesis investigated both positive and negative sides of the tension that exists between retaining wildlife habitat and expanding agricultural intensification.

To members of the media who plan to attend convocation:

• Photographers may take photos from anywhere—except on the stage once the ceremonies begin.


• Reserved space for media is located on the second floor to the left of the stage (all other seats are reserved for the graduating students and their guests).


• The route graduates use as they proceed to the stage must be kept clear.

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For more information, please contact:
James Shewaga
Media Relations Specialist
University of Saskatchewan
W: 306-966-1851 C: 306-270-5583
james.shewaga@usask.ca