Niagara College is ready to bring on the pomp, despite the circumstance, for its graduating class of 2020.
From June 15 to June 19, the College will celebrate its 5,000 spring graduates with its first-ever virtual convocation ceremonies. The virtual events will incorporate cherished elements of its traditional ceremonies – such as speeches, student awards and name call-outs – while optimizing technology to create an interactive experience for the graduates, who have been unable to return to campus since mid-March due to COVID-19.
The ceremonies will feature special guest speaker Clara Hughes. The six-time Olympic medalist and mental health advocate will address the College’s 2020 graduates by video message during the ceremonies and will receive an Honorary Diploma in Health Studies from the College.
“Convocation is truly the highlight of our academic year, and our innovative College community has gone above and beyond to ensure it will be one to remember for our Class of 2020 and their families,” said Niagara College president Sean Kennedy. “We are excited to announce Clara Hughes as our spring convocation speaker and honorary diploma recipient.
“Clara’s track record of outstanding accomplishment and dedication, both as an athlete and as a mental health advocate, will surely inspire our new graduates as they embark on the next chapter of their lives during this extraordinary time.”
“I’m so excited to announce that I’m your commencement speaker this year,” said Clara Hughes in a video message addressing Niagara College’s Class of 2020.
While she currently lives in Canmore, Alberta, Hughes noted that as a young cyclist, she had the great gift of racing in the Niagara region while living in Hamilton.
“What a stimulating and naturally beautiful learning environment,” said Hughes. “With the trailblazing programs offered by Niagara College, I can’t imagine a more perfect place setting for academic excellence and personal growth.”
NC’s Virtual Convocation Ceremonies – to be held at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily throughout convocation week – will be livestreamed from the College’s Welland Campus, while incorporating speeches and well wishes through video feeds and social media. Graduates will have the opportunity to connect with their classmates and professors in real-time through Zoom chats, which will be held alongside the ceremonies.
Participants and well-wishers are encouraged to use the social media hashtag #NCgrad2020. Likes, comments and reactions will be visible from the livestream ceremonies.
Visit the College’s Virtual Convocation site to view the schedule or to access the livestream ceremonies niagaracollege.ca/virtualconvocation/.
About Clara Hughes
After spending half her life striving to be the fastest person in the world, six-time Olympic medalist Clara Hughes decided to switch gears and “slow down to the pace of a human being.”
This led her to hike over 16,000 kilometres, where she discovered the healing power of movement. In her candid, personal talks, Hughes explores how movement can change lives, and draws from her experience living with depression to inspire audiences to face their fears, find their voice, and become the champions they’re meant to be.
Hughes is the only athlete in Olympic history to win multiple medals in both summer and winter Games, representing Canada in both speed skating and cycling. In addition, she served as Team Canada’s flag-bearer at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games.
As the founding spokesperson for Bell Let’s Talk, a campaign designed to end the stigma attached to mental illness, Hughes helped jumpstart the conversation on mental wellness. In 2014, she completed a 110-day national bicycle tour through every province and territory in Canada called ‘Clara’s Big Ride.’ She covered more than 11,000 kilometres, visited 105 communities and hosted over 235 events to raise awareness for mental health. She is also the author of the bestselling memoir, Open Heart, Open Mind.
Over the course of her distinguished career, Hughes has won countless awards and accolades. She was awarded the International Olympic Committee’s Sport and Community Trophy, honoured with a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame, inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, and named a member of the Order of Manitoba, and an Officer of the Order of Canada.
In her effort to lead a life in motion, Hughes has completed the ‘Triple Crown’ of long-distance hiking — the Pacific Crest Trail, the Continental Divide Trail, and the Appalachian Trail — and continues to this day, to find deep meaning in outdoor adventure pursuits.
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, distilling, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca.
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Media inquiries, please contact:
Julie Greco
Communications Consultant, Niagara College
Cell: 905 328 2532
Michael Wales
Manager, Corporate Communications
Cell: 905-328-4101