Winston LaRose, U of T honorary degree recipient, June 23, 2022

TL;DR

Winston LaRose urges University of Toronto graduates to treat graduation as a beginning, embrace future opportunities, persevere through challenges, and remember the families and communities behind their success. Speaking in his 85th year after recently surviving a collapse, he traces his journey from British Guiana through nursing and nearly 30 years of unpaid service in Jane and Finch. Read on for his lessons about legacy, gratitude, friendship, and community.

Transcript

What a profoundly exciting moment this is — just looking out there, and looking at all of you, with great expectations of a future to come. Let me, first of all, say a wonderful thank you to Dr. Rose Patten, the person who has managed this university, a very historic space, for quite some time. And I take off my hat to her and to our president Meri... Read More

Key Insights

• 🔇 Acknowledgement of significant nominators and the importance of their role in the speaker's journey.
• 🌐 Encouragement for graduates to embrace opportunities and make a global impact.
• 👪 Emphasis on family support as a crucial foundation for personal success.
• 😣 Inspiration to persevere through hardships and challenges to achieve greater heights.
• 🐕‍🦺 Personal anecdotes shared by the speaker highlight the importance of friendship and community service.
• 🌍 Reflection on the transformational impact of Africa in shaping a better world.
• 🇨🇦 Gratitude towards Canada and the opportunity it provides for success and growth.

Questions & Answers

Q: What message did Winston LaRose give University of Toronto graduates?

LaRose told graduates that the world’s possibilities and opportunities were open to them, but that graduation was not the peak of their success. He encouraged them to pursue greater heights, make an impact around the world, and celebrate the family members who supported them.

Q: How did Winston LaRose describe his personal journey?

LaRose said he was born in British Guiana, a former colony in South America, and traced his ancestry to Africa. He presented his life as a story of success despite a long journey marked by historical and personal hardships.

Q: What did Winston LaRose say about his nursing career?

LaRose trained as a nurse in British Guiana and traveled to England with his longtime friend Richard Jordan. He continued nursing in Great Britain and was later recruited to work in operating rooms, one of his specialty areas.

Q: Why did Winston LaRose discuss his hospitalization?

LaRose said he collapsed at home and was found unconscious in January of that year. After Dr. Sameer helped save his life at Joseph Brant Hospital, LaRose returned ready to celebrate the graduates and continue creating a legacy in Jane and Finch and Canada.

Q: What role did family play in Winston LaRose’s graduation message?

LaRose called family the strongest base and foundation of society. He reminded graduates that their families had supported and encouraged them over many years and had sometimes paid their school fees.

Q: Why did Winston LaRose dedicate his honorary degree to Jane and Finch?

LaRose described the people of Jane and Finch as his family and said they were the reason he reached the podium. He had served the community for almost 30 years without pay and said he had missed no days except when outside the country.

Q: How did Winston LaRose address fears about the Jane and Finch community?

LaRose recalled post-secondary students asking whether it was safe to visit Yorkgate Mall for placements with him. He answered that he was there and still alive, challenging their fear through his own long experience traveling around and serving the community.

Q: Who did Winston LaRose thank for his honorary degree nomination?

LaRose thanked Professor Charlie Keil, Dr. Kofi Hope, and Loryl MacDonald as people who nominated him. He also acknowledged Dr. Rose Patten and University of Toronto president Meric Gertler before addressing the graduates.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker, a Black immigrant nurse, expresses gratitude for the nomination and opportunity to speak at the graduation ceremony.

• Reflecting on his long journey and near-death experience at 85, he encourages graduates to embrace opportunities and make an impact globally.

• Sharing personal stories of friendship, career, and community service, he emphasizes the importance of family support and perseverance in achieving success.