Delivered by video May 28, 2026
Good afternoon. I want to take a moment to express my profound gratitude to the University of King’s College for honouring me with an honorary degree in Civil Law.
It is with great pride that I accept this recognition, in the company of two individuals for whom I have the utmost respect and admiration. Ann Sylliboy, whom I know by her work and reputation, and Neil Hooper, a colleague and friend who, in so many ways, epitomizes the positive and enduring aspects of King’s.
I am also, I say with great pride, that I am following in the footsteps of my father, the late Senator Calvin Ruck. Who in 1999 also received this esteemed honour from the university.
I must also acknowledge the significant role that my family’s love and support has played in this journey. My father, Calvin, and my mother, Joyce, who is now 96, persevered against the odds and made untold sacrifices so that their children could attend university.
My wife, Valerie, and my daughters, Jacqueline and Lindsay, whose love and devotion have been a constant part of this journey. Even when very young, Jacqueline and Lindsay were always very supportive. Now, as they have their own families, they and their partners, Craig and Christopher, continue to provide strength and support.
There are also the grandchildren. Hudson, Georgia, Calvin and Madeline. Whose energy, enthusiasm and very presence continue to inspire each and every day and remind me of the importance of our efforts for those who follow in our footsteps.
When I first arrived at King’s, I heard that graduates participated in Encaenia. As a young student, I was impressed. But I feel that I can now safely confess that I had no idea what they were talking about. There wasn’t much ancient Greek spoken in my household or in my neighbourhood in Dartmouth.
Over time, as a student, my appreciation for Encaenia grew, revealing not just its uniqueness, but also the rich heritage of this institution which has become an important part of my own identity.
As graduates, you know how significant it is to be a part of King’s. Today, you are part of the Encaenia tradition. While graduations at any school are meaningful, at King’s, Encaenia is something truly special.
I regret that I cannot join you in person, but I am delighted that King’s has enabled me to participate in this manner. King’s, despite its size, consistently surpasses expectations. As the Class of 2026, you now carry that legacy forward, and I wish you every success as you step into your roles in society, whatever those roles may entail.
You are familiar with the traditions of King’s, and understand what it means to belong here. You are also aware of the institution’s imperfections, and admittedly, not everyone has felt welcome. However, substantial changes have taken place and more are on the horizon. The student body has played a crucial role in these reforms, making King’s a stronger and more welcoming place for a diverse population.
Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Love is the greatest force in the universe. It is the heartbeat of the moral cosmos.” Those who have had the pleasure of hearing President Bill Lahey recognize his commitment to harnessing the power of love and instilling it in the very fabric of this university. So that, as an institution, we achieve transformative education. For the university to thrive, it must be a welcoming environment. Love must be the cornerstone of what we do.
It’s not good enough for one aspect of this university to display love. It’s imperative that it’s part of the entire university. It must be the Office of the President, the administration, the faculty, not just what is taught, but how it is taught. It must be the Board of Governors. The Board must lead by example. It must not just speak. It must demonstrate that it, in fact, has love for our students.
In this day and age, given the existing divisiveness, given the problems that exist, given the fact that those rights that we thought were embedded in our society, that we thought were protected, are now in danger of being lost, how do we, as a university, protect and ensure that our students feel loved? How do we ensure that they, in fact, feel that they have the support of the entire university in every aspect of what they do, while on campus and while off campus, but that we, as King’s, are with them?
We do it, in part, through love and by speaking it. This must be so much more than the mere exercise of ticking the boxes. We must be real. We must be honest. We must ensure that we show them that we are here with them.
As you move on to the next phase of your lives, you will take with you many memories and valuable lessons. I hope that the love you discovered here, which empowered you to be your true selves, will remain with you always.
May the transformational education you received continue to open your minds, continue to open your eyes, and despite whatever challenges may arise, may it continue to open your hearts.
Thank you.