On June 2, close to 250 graduating students from the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education crossed the stage at Convocation Hall to receive their degrees. They join more than 15,800 U of T students graduating this spring. Following the convocation ceremony, KPE's newest batch of alumni were invited to a graduation reception at the Goldring Centre hosted by the Faculty.
“Not only did you earn degrees from one of the world’s most prestigious universities, but you also gained expertise in a field whose relevance and importance is increasingly recognized and appreciated around the world,” said Gretchen Kerr, professor and dean at KPE, who congratulated the new graduates on behalf of the Faculty. “The reputable QS World University Rankings by Subject consistently place U of T’s sports-related subjects in the top five in the world.”
Kerr said she couldn’t think of better ambassadors to carry forward the Faculty’s core mission of advancing knowledge about the interactions of physical activity, mental wellness and overall health.
Professor Ashley Stirling, vice dean of academic affairs, said that she is daily witness to the depth and breadth of the research undertaken by KPE faculty and their talented students.
“Ranging from behavioural and biophysical to physical cultural studies, the impact of their research is felt far and wide,” she said, while introducing Sina Azimi, one of four KPE students graduating with a PhD degree this spring.
Azimi’s research, under the supervision of Katherine Tamminen, looked into the different stages of the coach-parent relationship and offers valuable insights for parents, coaches, athletes and administrators in youth sport.
“Thank you for believing in me and for helping me turn my dream into reality," said Azimi. "Now is the time for us graduates to make the world a better place by applying the knowledge we gained through our education to empower others, irrespective of their ethnicity, beliefs, sexual orientation or the pigmentation of their skin."
Read more about KPE's newest graduates.
Professor David Frost, director of the Master of Professional Kinesiology (MPK) program, spoke of the value of kinesiology, as an academic discipline and practice, for the health and well-being of everyone - from the high-performance Olympian to the fireman in your local fire station.
“What makes the MPK program special, aside from the fact that it was the first master’s-level program of its kind in Ontario when it launched back in 2016, is that it teaches its graduates to look at movement and human performance from a multidisciplinary perspective, translating leading-edge research findings into professional practice to meet the unique needs of our diverse populations,” said Frost.
Speaking on behalf of the MPK graduates, Yifan Cao shared the moment when she understand the true meaning and potential of kinesiology. It was when she heard Professor Michael Atkinson say during a lecture that the future of kinesiology lies in health promotion, which can only be implemented when all cultural, social and ecological determinants that shape the environment are considered.
“That single line sparked my curiosity about program development and policy-making to enhance health promotion, while considering health equity and other social determinants,” said Cao, who added she will forever be grateful for the inspiration, guidance and support she received from the Faculty throughout her academic journey.
Professor Catherine Amara, director of undergraduate studies at U of T, said she had the pleasure of following the progress of students from the first year they joined the BKin program to this exciting moment.
“The discipline of kinesiology is wide ranging and far reaching and our undergraduate students are a wonderful testament to that,” said Amara. “It has been a joy to witness you discover what you’re passionate about in this field and share this passion with each other and the community.”
She introduced Malieka Shahid, who spoke on behalf of the students graduating with a bachelor degree in kinesiology.
“After four years filled with laughter, joy, tears and a lot of KPE chants, we finally get to celebrate the culmination of our hard work and step into the beginning of our new lives,” said Shahid.
Recalling the impact of COVID-19 on her and her classmates, Shahid said the strong sense of community at KPE made it a lot easier to get through those uncertain times.
“KPE set the foundation for all of us and today we leave here today wiser and ready to take on the challenges of the world," she said.
After the students were presented with academic awards, Tom Babits, president of the KPE alumni association, welcomed all the graduates to the KPE alumni family and encouraged them to stay actively involved with the Faculty and the University.
“My wife, sons and I are all proud graduates of the Faculty and even though many years separate us, we all have a special bond as a family of over 6,600 graduates from the Faculty," he said. "Wherever your work or travel may take you, your connection with this University and this Faculty will act as an impressive introduction and a remarkable stepping stone.”