‘We are just getting started’: UNF celebrates first graduating class at inaugural Convocation

Ceremonies also included formal installation of UNF President and recognition of key community supporters

As valedictorian Laden Akyildiz Isguder looked out from the Spring Convocation stage at her fellow graduates, she recalled her first day as a student at University of Niagara Falls Canada when she walked into a room of strangers and found herself wondering if she was in the right place.

“Looking back, yes. We were exactly where we were supposed to be,” she said, speaking during the afternoon ceremony.

Isguder was part of the first cohort of students in the Master of Management program, starting their studies as the university opened its doors in April 2024.  Two years later, that cohort was among the more than 900 graduating students from the Master of Arts in Digital Media and Global Communications, Master of Data Analytics, and Master of Management programs celebrated in Spring Convocation on May 21.

During her valedictorian speech, Isguder reflected on the growth she and her peers experienced both in and outside of the classroom. As a founding member of UNF’s Rotaract Club, now 80 members strong, she proudly boasted about the hundreds of volunteer hours members have logged and funds they’ve raised for the community. And she recalled her winning entry in UNF’s mascot naming contest, when she was recognized at the Student Leadership Awards for putting forward the chosen name, Spark.

Originally from Turkey, Isguder quoted her first leadership role model, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic.

“He said to the first group of Turkish students sent abroad for education, ’I send you as a spark. You must return as flames.’ A century later, students from every continent started (UNF) as a spark, persevered through uncertainty, through distance, through doubt, and now continue their journey as flames, wherever they may go,” she said. “We are flames. And we are just getting started.”

The morning ceremony saw the formal installation of Professor David Gray as UNF’s first President and Vice-Chancellor, an appointment originally announced in September. The installation was led by Cyndi McLeod, acting Chancellor for UNF and CEO of GUS North America.

“You can take pride in your achievement,” Gray said in his address to the graduates. “All of us at the University of Niagara Falls Canada are very proud of you and we hope you are proud to be associated with UNF.”

The university also handed out four Distinguished Impact Awards during the morning ceremony, recognizing individuals and organizations who, from the earliest stages, demonstrated exceptional leadership, commitment, and belief in UNF, helping to bring it into being and establish a strong foundation for its future. Award recipients included Francis Pang, founder and chairman of the AKD network of schools in China; Sheldon Levy, president emeritus of University Canada West and Toronto Metropolitan University; Victoria Martin, Chief Commercial and Compliance Officer for GUS North America; and the City of Niagara Falls’ Business Development Department.

“It’s my privilege to recognize these recipients and thank them for the lasting impact they’ve made on our university and our community,” said McLeod when handing out the awards.

Both ceremonies also featured congratulatory remarks for the graduates shared on behalf of Prime Minister Mark Carney, and Nolan Quinn, Ontario’s Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence, and Security. Each graduate also received a congratulatory letter from Premier Doug Ford. Both the morning and afternoon ceremonies are available to view on UNF’s YouTube channel.