Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Science

News and Events

October 2010

Computer Science's pace stick is full

 
Names of the graduates of the Computer Science Master's program have been engraved on the stick.

The Department of Computer Science is building a tradition - the pace stick. In 2007, Ryerson University first offered the Master of Science program in Computer Science. At the same time, the Department of Computer Science established a tradition of excellence involving a tool called the pace stick, or simply, "the stick". 

The stick represents the work of the program's graduates, records their contributions to the Computer Science discipline, and is present during all theses defences and ceremonies. Successful graduates are shown their names engraved on the stick during the graduation ceremony procession; it is a moment that demonstrates to graduates that their contributions will not be forgotten.

Dr. Alex Ferworn, Program Director for the Master's program in Computer Science, shows students their names on the stick during the October convocation ceremony.

When the department obtained its first stick in 2007, they expected there would be enough room for the names of ten years worth of graduates. In less than four years, however, and with the graduation of 15 Computer Science Master's students, the stick is now full. This stick and all that follow will be stored in a display case in the department in perpetuity.

Historically, the pace stick has been used by military instructors to measure the length of pace of inexperienced soldiers, as they learn the intricacies of the foot drill. As soliders gain confidence and perform the drill on their own, the stick is eventually eliminated. The stick represents a standard in the military that all are expected to achieve.