Serving the community was in the spotlight on June 20 as Spring Convocation Ceremonies continued at Niagara College.
The second day of ceremonies celebrated almost 700 new graduates and honoured two distinguished Niagara leaders: Coletta McGrath, executive director of Quest Community Health Centre, who received an honorary bachelor of Applied Studies during the morning ceremony; and Niagara Regional Police Service chief Bryan MacCulloch who received an honorary diploma in Police Foundations during the afternoon ceremony.
McGrath, whose entire career has focused on community, shared words of wisdom with more than 300 new graduates from the School of Community Services, by telling stories about experiences throughout her career. She recounted how she once lost a job at a children’s mental health centre after publicizing her opinion that more resources needed to be put into prevention – and how that proved to be a positive experience, a “sweet pain,” providing her with a sense of confidence and reinforcing the importance of knowing what you value and believe in.
Being diagnosed with Stage 4 Malignant Melanoma about seven years ago, McGrath shared how it has impacted her perspective on life, and has given her a much better appreciation of living and dying. For those at the beginning of their careers, she encouraged them to know what is important to them and commit to their life goals.
“Life is short. Identify how you want to use your time when you are on this earth and go after it,” she said. “That journey, when plotted by you, will prove to be one guaranteed source of happiness.”
She spoke about the rewards of giving and making a difference, and noted that each of the new graduates can bring equity to the planet, help ensure people from all walks of life have equitable opportunities, equitable resources and equitable lives. She told them that no matter how big or small their contribution may be, what matters is that they step into the role and bring others along with them.
“Working in community, building community, and participating in community has been one very big and very, very cherished part of my life,” she said. “I look at each of you with admiration and envy as you begin your careers in community, knowing the amazing and rewarding moments and experiences that lie ahead.”
In the afternoon ceremony, grads and their guests heard from Niagara Regional Police Service chief Bryan MacCulloch, who reminded students that that though their academic journey at Niagara College is ending, “the reality is that your life journey has really just begun. With the unprecedented change that is occurring in workplaces throughout Canada, it will be incumbent on each of you to commit to the concept of life-long learning.”
Prior to his appointment as chief at the Niagara Regional Police Service, MacCulloch served with the NRPS in a variety of leadership and operational roles, gaining experience in every aspect of policing through his career, which spans over three decades.
In that time, MacCulluch has seen his fair share of changes come not only to the world of policing, but to nearly every sector of the workforce. No matter what their field of work may be, MacCulloch urged graduates “to question norms, to correctly interpret information and data and to not accept ‘that’s how we do things because that’s how we have always done things.’”
He also impressed upon graduates and their guests the importance of providing compassionate, courteous customer service. “Trust me, nobody will ever complain that you were too polite, that you were too compassionate, or that you were too courteous,” he said. “Make a commitment to provide exceptional service each and every time. Don’t deviate from that standard and you will be destined for success.”
MacCulloch left students with a plea to volunteer and get involved in the life of their community, and to stay engaged with the people and places who have helped shape their future.
“The future is in your hands,” he said.
More than 3,700 new graduates will cross the stage to receive their certificates, diplomas or degrees at Niagara College between June 19 and 22. Spring Convocation ceremonies kicked off on June 19 with co-founder, Uncharted LLC Vicki Heyman – wife of former U.S. ambassador Bruce Heyman and spent three years as a cultural envoy in Ottawa from 2014-2017 – who received an honorary bachelor of Applied Studies; and Daljit Singh Gujral, president of INSCOL, who received an honorary diploma in Health Studies. View June 19 release here: Spring Convocation ceremonies begin at Niagara College
Ceremonies continue on June 21 when the College will welcome guest speaker Anthony J. Spiteri, a leader in the consumer packaged goods industry, who will receive a Distinguished Alumni Award; and the 2018 Governor General’s Academic Medal will be presented to Business Administration – Accounting graduate Jesse Reynders, who graduates with a grade average of 98.23 per cent. The afternoon ceremony will feature guest speaker CKTB morning host Tim Denis, who will receive an honorary diploma in Broadcasting – Radio, Television and Film (afternoon).
Ceremonies will conclude on June 22 with guest speaker Sarah Watts-Rynard, executive director of the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum, who will receive an honorary diploma in Skilled Trades. It will also mark a milestone for the College, with the first cohort of graduates from the Commercial Beekeeping program. The graduate certificate program is the first of its kind in Eastern Canada, and was launched in 2017 to meet a significant demand for qualified, professional beekeepers across the country.
View Convocation kickoff release here: Niagara College to celebrate Class of 2018 at Spring Convocation June 19-22
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 sciences, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca.
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