Kevin Vickers inspires Mount Allison University grads, receives honourary degree

Kevin Vickers received an honourary degree and gave an address at the convocation ceremony at New Brunswick's Mount Allison University.

Monday was convocation day at New Brunswick’s Mount Allison University, and a Canadian hero was among those receiving a degree.

Former Parliament Hill sergeant-at-arms Kevin Vickers received an honourary degree from the Sackville, N.B. university, delivering a poignant address to graduates.

Vickers was swept into the spotlight last October, earning praise for his actions during the shootings on Parliament Hill.

Now the Canadian ambassador to Ireland, Vickers delivered a two-fold message to graduates.

“Respecting the dignity of people, and the other one was the importance of mothers, and that some time in their life they are going to have an October 22 as well, and to realize that their mothers are always there for them,” Vickers said.

Vickers’ words stood out to many in the graduating class.

“Kevin Vickers rocked my entire existence with the words he said,” said graduate Rayan Bouhlel.

“He really touched on some very important points. He really encompasses the kind of community that I personally strive to live in,” Bouhlel said.

For others participating in the Mount Allison convocation, the day was significant for other reasons.

For valedictorian Jonathan Graves, it was marked by the death last week of his uncle, firefighter Peter Saab.

“I just want to do him the due diligence in the way I saw fit. This was coming up — obviously it was my way of saying I am proud of him even though he is not here anymore,” Graves said.

For others bidding farewell to their campus today, Monday was about community.

“It’s always going to feel like home — Sackville, Mount Allison,” said graduate Emily Van Diepen.

“All my friends here, they are going to be friends for life, and it’s just an amazing experience,” she said.

For Vickers, who was born in the Miramichi area, the opportunity to return to the province is important in itself.

“Coming home to New Brunswick is a time for myself and my family to reach out and to heal,” Vickers said.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s David Bell