From Juneteenth becoming a U.S. federal holiday, to U of G’s upcoming online convocation ceremony, here is what we saw in the news this week.
Juneteenth becomes a federal holiday in the U.S.
On June 17, President Joe Biden signed a bill appointing ‘Juneteenth’ a federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S.
Juneteenth, also known as “Freedom Day” or “Emancipation Day,” has been celebrated by African-Americans since June 19 of 1865, the year enslavement in Galveston, Texas officially ended.
The day has seen renewed interest following the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and other Black Americans who have lost their lives or faced violence or discrimination at the hands of police.
“This is a day of profound weight, in my view, and profound power. A day which we remember the moral stain and terrible toll that slavery took on the country and continues to take,” Biden said during a signing ceremony at the White House.
According to The New York Times, Juneteenth is typically celebrated in the U.S. by praying with loved ones and community members, making pilgrimages to Galveston, hosting backyard parties with food, and organizing and attending parades and festivals.
Locally, the Guelph Black Heritage Society (GBHS) is hosting an online Juneteenth celebration event as part of its #ChangeStartsNow Anti-Racism Education initiative.
The event will take place on June 19 at 7 p.m. and include performances such as contemporary and traditional gospel music, spoken word, and dance.
Those interested in attending can visit the GBHS’s website for more information.
Father’s Day happenings in Guelph
Guelph is offering a number of unique ways to celebrate dad this Father’s Day on June 20.
A virtual storytelling event, an online auction, and food and gift boxes will be available over the next couple of days for those interested.
Guelph storyteller Brad Woods will be hosting the virtual storytelling event, called Father’s Day Stories, at 10 a.m. Sunday morning.
According to Guelph Today, Woods will “share lessons he’s learned from his father, his own parenting adventures, and some folk tales featuring father figures.”
The event is free and accessible on the Guelph Civic Museum’s website or Facebook page.
The Guelph Wish Fund for Children is holding its annual Father’s Day weekend auction online this year.
The funds are being raised to support the organization’s wish kids “as they face heartbreaking medical challenges,” states their website.
Those interested in bidding on items such as a retro refrigerator, a gardening package, a Coleman camping tent, or a scenic flight tour can do so at guelphwishfund.com until noon on Sunday.
Food and gift boxes for dad are being offered by Taste Real partner businesses.
Taste Real is a County of Wellington initiative that aims to “support local small businesses and farms to build stronger rural communities and grow one of the most vibrant, local food economies and food tourism destinations in Ontario,” according to its website.
Partner businesses include Park Grocery Deli and Bar, Market Fresh, and The Wooly Pub.
Box options range from BBQ to beer and snacks and are available to order online until supplies last or as specified by each business. All businesses may be found here.
U of G grads to cross the stage during upcoming virtual convocation ceremony
At 7 p.m. on June 24, the U of G will be hosting a virtual convocation ceremony, where recent winter and summer graduates will be able to “cross the stage” during the event.
According to a U of G news release, participating students were prompted to enter an image or five second video of themselves crossing a stage which will be presented on screen as their names are shown.
Additionally, students and their loved ones can download #GuelphGrad social media filters, profile picture frames, and cover photos, or print a #GuelphGrad lawn sign to celebrate their achievement.
Students were sent their degree parchments in a mailed convocation box, which also included items to extend at-home celebrations.
Almost 5,000 students are expected to attend the virtual convocation ceremony.
“Our plans for summer convocation, like so many other things, have had to be altered due to ongoing public health concerns,” said Claire Alexander, manager of the Office of Ceremonies and Events, in the release.
“The unique approach to this celebration, I think, will be appreciated by our grads, their families and our broader campus community. I am encouraging everyone to join us on June 24 to celebrate the graduating class.”
Senior administrators, honorary degree recipients, graduating students, and alumni members are expected to offer messages during the ceremony. Further, U of G graduates Jenna and Stu Walker of The Reklaws will be providing a musical tribute.
Award recipients with distinguished service and academic achievement will be featured on the convocation website with photographs and citations.
U of G student planning tool to improve course selection interface
The University of Guelph will be introducing ‘Student Planning’ during the fall 2021 semester, a new online tool that hopes to make checking degree progress easier.
The new user-friendly tool for WebAdvisor hopes to better facilitate course selection for undergraduate and graduate students with an improved search tool and a visualized interface for selected courses.
This option will also allow students to compare completed and planned classes with degree requirements.
Other features include waitlisting and online approval for course waivers.
According to a U of G news release, Student Planning will not only benefit students, but also program counsellors, academic advisors, professors, and registrarial staff.
Student Planning websites for the Guelph and Ridgetown campus and Guelph-Humber campus will include more information through training videos and FAQs.
The news release encourages students to explore the new tool and familiarize themselves with it before course selection opens.
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