After a year marked by unwavering determination, Niagara College students truly earned the right to celebrate their accomplishments.
"You put the 'NC' in the words 'perseverance' and 'resilience,' said Fiona Allan, vice-president Academic, in her address to graduates.
June 25 capped off Convocation week for NC's Class of 2021. The College celebrated 3,872 new graduates in five days through a series of interactive ceremonies livestreamed from its Welland Campus. Thousands tuned in live to cheer on the newly minted graduates, among them, family, friends, and viewers from Niagara and over 80 countries.
The ceremonies took place virtually for the second year as the College continues to comply with ongoing gathering restrictions during COVID-19. The graduates, who completed their studies remotely - either in whole or in part - during the 2020-21 academic year, celebrated their milestone success with many of the beloved elements of NC's traditional in-person convocation events, including call-outs of their names and words of inspiration from across the College and beyond.
Niagara College president Sean Kennedy had four key pieces of advice for the Class of 2021:
The first, to be their own person. "Whatever path you take, make sure that it's your own," said Kennedy.
Second, to embrace lifelong learning. "Don't be afraid to confront yourself and your beliefs and be willing to change."
Reflecting upon the tragic news from Cowessess First Nation and Kamloops, Kennedy called upon grads to be a force for change during this moment of national mourning.
"The horrific discoveries of the unmarked graves of hundreds of Indigenous children at former residential schools reminds us of the urgent need for truth and reconciliation, and why we must grow and push society forward; that is the essence of lifelong learning - both individually and collectively," said Kennedy.
Finally, Kennedy inspired graduates to invest time in building relationships, and to embrace challenges.
"Experience can be one of the best teachers - an idea we embrace here at Niagara College, for experience... is the essence of applied education."
Distinguished guest speaker Sarah Blackwood - Canadian singer/songwriter/musician from Juno-award-winning band Walk Off the Earth - inspired graduates with a speech about saying 'yes', embracing uncertainty, and growing through life experiences.
"Life isn't about finding your purpose. It's about evolving your soul through the hundreds and hundreds of experiences you choose to have. Rather than focus on a purpose, focus on an evolution. Purpose feels like there's one final destination that we arrive at, but evolution feels like a continuous journey where we are forever growing and learning and becoming who we are," said Blackwood, who received an Honorary Diploma in Media Studies from NC.
Blackwood shared the life advice she gives her three children. "There are a million things you can try in life. If you say yes to all of them, you can experience more, grow more, and have compassion for the people walking beside you."
Spring Convocation 2021 marked a historic milestone for the College. On June 22, Emily Gushue of Ridgeway became NC's 100,000th graduate, receiving her diploma in Community and Justice Services and symbolizing the expansive and growing reach of NC's global alumni community.
June 25 ceremonies
The final day of ceremonies celebrated 311 graduates from the School of Academic, Liberal and Access Studies, and the School of English Language Studies in the morning, and 236 graduates from the School of Environment and Horticulture in the afternoon.
Amanda Sutcliffe is the Dean’s Award winner for the School of Academic Studies.
Liberal and Access Studies graduate Amanda Sutcliffe was the Dean's Award winner from the School of Academic Studies with a 95 per cent GPA. Sutcliffe, who holds a diploma in Educational Assistant-Special Needs Support (2019) began the Personal Support Worker program in September 2019, only to have pandemic restrictions on co-op placements put those plans on hold.
Sutcliffe rejigged her education plans, pivoting to online learning while supporting her children who did so as well. The Fort Erie mom balanced her studies and home life with ease, switching between her student hat and her mom hat in a busy household - no small feat.
"I am very thankful for the experience because I feel that my children watching me persevere and graduate during these times has greatly helped them through the challenges that virtual schooling has thrown their way."
Hamilton's Jonah Read had a few false starts with post-secondary education before digging into his passion for planting in the Horticultural Technician Co-op program. It was a summer job that inspired his future career in horticulture, and his supervisors - NC alumni - who recommended the College's program.
"I enjoy solving problems, and the knowledge gained at Niagara College comes into play often ... I am passionate about identifying trees, flowers and weed species, and learning best horticultural practices. Niagara College has given me a solid foundation from which I can build as a lifelong learner," said Read.
Jonah Read is the Dean’s Award winner for the School of Environment and Horticulture.
Read achieved an impressive 97 per cent GPA, earning him the Dean's Award in the School of Environment and Horticulture. Read is already seeing the fruits of his labour as he begins a leadership position with the City of Hamilton's Horticulture Department.
Virtual Convocation 2021
NC's Virtual Spring Convocation Ceremonies, which have been held twice daily between June 21 and June 25, have been drawing thousands of viewers around the world - with 17,100 viewers from 81 countries throughout the week.
College president Sean Kennedy and vice-president Academic Fiona Allan hosted all 10 livestreamed ceremonies from the Welland Campus. The ceremonies leveraged technology to create a highly interactive event, enabling graduates to connect with their classmates and program faculty via pre-organized Zoom program parties held alongside the formal ceremonies. Graduates could be seen cheering and waving during their ceremonies, as clips from their program Zoom parties were incorporated into the ceremony livestream in lieu of their 'crossing of the stage.'
Video well-wishes to the graduates from the college community and beyond were also woven into the ceremony.
Several members of the alumni community welcomed the new graduates in a video message - including president of RW&Co. Lora Tisi (1979), and Tim Hansing, CEO and co-founder of Red Planet Hotels (1987), Niagara EMS chief Kevin Smith (1992), recent winner of Top Chef Canada Erica Karbelnik (2011), and TV host and reporter Amy Audibert (2012) who also voiced an opening video for the Class of 2021.
Ceremonies included an Indigenous welcome from traditional knowledge keeper Karl Dockstader; music from piper Kelley Buckley; and a special video of the national anthem sung by College faculty members Barbara Mantini, Giacomo Folinazzo and Paul Wintemute. Names were read by faculty members Franco Bieri and Carolyn Ambrose-Miller.
Convocation was an example of applied learning in action for a team of Broadcasting - Radio, Television and Film students. They worked alongside faculty and staff to create and broadcast each event - including four graduating students who took on critical roles behind the scenes for virtual convocation - even during their own ceremony on the afternoon of June 23.
All June 2021 Virtual Convocation ceremonies may be viewed on the Virtual Convocation website at niagaracollege.ca/virtualconvocation/
Niagara College offers more than 130 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Part-Time Studies courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine science, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, distilling, horticulture and esthetics. Visit niagaracollege.ca.
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Convocation 2021 media releases:
June 14: Walk Off the Earth's Sarah Blackwood to address Niagara College's Class of 2021
June 18: Success a team effort for NC's top grad
June 21: 'Welcome to the rest of life' Musician Sarah Blackwood offers inspiring wake-up call to Class of 2021
June 22: Niagara College reached 100,000 graduate milestone during convocation ceremony
June 23: Third day of Niagara College convocation shines spotlight on Media, Trades and Technology Studies
June 24: New crop of frontline workers celebrated on fourth day of Niagara College Convocation
Media inquiries, please contact:
Michael Wales
Manager, Corporate Communications
Cell: 905-328-4101
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Julie Greco
Corporate Communications Consultant
Cell: 905-328-2532
[email protected]
