Congratulations class of 2021

June 1, 2021
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Graduating students, faculty, and staff shared messages to the PHAS class of 2021

“Here, on the edge of what we know, in contact with the ocean of the unknown, shines the mystery and beauty of the world. And it’s breathtaking.”

― Carlo Rovelli, Seven Brief Lessons on Physics

To PHAS Graduates of 2021: the Physics and Astronomy community extends a hand out to you  - you have made it through a very challenging year of obstacles and quick adaptations. We salute your success!

In this very abnormal pandemic year, you had to adapt quickly to some overwhelming challenges and hardship on top of your already demanding studies. You had to adapt quickly to online courses, fast-changing travel and space restrictions, and faced a lack of access to people and resources that would normally be significant supports in your education. 

As your PHAS community, we acknowledge this very difficult year.

Living through a pandemic affected all of us, including our connections to family, friends and communities. It revealed the importance of community in order to effectively communicate, support and enact change, share knowledge and help direct progress and development for the betterment of all.

As part of the UBC Faculty of Science and PHAS alumni, know that we will always be your community as you grow your careers, whether in industry, education, research or business. Know that you are in a position to conceptualize, review, and increase the functionality of our global systems. And consider this a parting gift: with your knowledge is the capacity for bringing science and systems together - and, in light of the past year, is a heartening way forward for the world.

Congratulations Graduates! Share your successes, and to continue to unveil the mystery.

Colin Gay, Department Head
Chris Waltham, Undergraduate Program Chair
Gary Hinshaw, Graduate Program Chair
Andre Marziali, Director of Engineering Physics

Some reminders!