The gowns are ready, credentials are waiting and the excitement is building. From June 8 to June 13, Niagara College will shine a spotlight on approximately 7,000 soon-to-be graduates as it celebrates its Class of 2026 with its largest Spring Convocation ceremonies to date.
NC’s Welland Campus will transform into a hub of celebration from Monday, June 8 to Saturday, June 13 as the College hosts 12 ceremonies – at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily – each dedicated to specific areas of study.
“Spring Convocation is the absolute highlight of the academic year at Niagara College – the ultimate celebration of student success, dedication and resilience,” said NC President Sean Kennedy. “We are incredibly proud of our Class of 2026 and look forward to welcoming our graduates and their families to the Welland Campus to mark this special milestone, as well as our honorary diploma and distinguished alumni recipients, who embody the passionate, community-driven spirit we hope to inspire in all our graduates.”
Two graduating students – Nashwa Higazy (St. Catharines) and Alleeya Guthro (Welland) –will be presented with prestigious Governor General’s Academic medals, for scoring the highest average in a degree and diploma program, respectively. This year’s spring Convocation will also honour Bob Martin, a prominent community leader from Niagara’s horticulture sector, with an honorary diploma, and trailblazing Class of 2020 graduate Celeste Anderson with a Distinguished Alumni Award.
Governor General’s Silver Academic Medal
St. Catharines resident Nashwa Higazy will be the recipient of the Governor General’s Silver Academic Medal, recognizing her exceptional 94.93% average in the Honours Bachelor of Business Administration (Human Resources) degree, program. Higazy will also receive her graduate certificate in Project Management. She previously graduated from NC’s Business Administration – Human Resources advanced diploma program in 2024.
A mother of six, she balanced full-time studies and a three-year student position at NC’s Global Business Development department, where she contributed to student engagement, global education, organizational development, and international projects.
She will be recognized with the award on Friday, June 12 (3 p.m. ceremony).
Governor General’s Bronze Academic Medal
Welland nativeAlleeya Guthro will be this year’s recipient of the Governor General’s Bronze Academic Medal, recognizing her outstanding 98.67% average in the Recreation Therapy program.
After initially studying visual arts, she found her true calling at NC by merging her creative spirit with a desire to help others. During her studies, she completed two impactful placements supporting individuals with disabilities and those with acquired brain injuries, which broadened her understanding of therapeutic recreation.
Guthro’s success as a student and aspiring recreation therapist is a testament to her resiliency, having overcome her life-long struggles with severe anxiety to thrive in her college program.
“My experience at Niagara College has been truly life changing,” she said.
She will be presented with her medal on Tuesday, June 9 (3 p.m. ceremony).
While the Governor General’s Silver and Bronze Academic Medals will recognize students with the highest overall GPA in a degree and diploma program, Dean’s Awards will be presented to graduating students with the highest GPA in their school of study
Distinguished Alumni Award
Toronto resident Celeste Anderson, originally from Winnipeg, is the recipient of this year’s Distinguished Alumni Award. After returning to school at the age of 30, Anderson graduated from NC’s Tourism Management – Business Development program in 2020. Despite a cancer diagnosis and surgery during her final term, she graduated with a 97.52% average, to earn the Dean’s Academic Award.
Today, she is the CEO and Co-founder of Digital Sports Administration Inc., where she manages esports tournaments, gaming activations, and live events across North America, including gaming programming at the Canadian National Exhibition. A trailblazer in the gaming industry, she was Canada’s first female professional gamer, won the reality television series King of the Nerds in 2013, appeared on Conan, and currently serves as Director of Business Operations for the Women of Halo executive team.
Anderson will be presented with the award on Friday, June 12 (3 p.m. ceremony).
Honorary diploma in Environment and Horticulture
NC will honour Lincoln resident Bob Martin for his decades of exceptional leadership in the horticultural sector. As the former General Manager of Martin Farms Ltd., Martin grew the family-owned commercial greenhouse operation into a major Ontario retail supplier and launched their beloved “Veggie Guy” brand, earning multiple Canada Blooms Plant Supplier of the Year awards, and the Loblaw Floral Innovator of the Year award.
A passionate industry advocate, he has served on numerous boards, chaired Flowers Canada, and received the Flowers Canada Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018. Martin has also been a champion for NC, serving as past chair of the NC Foundation Board, and a long-time advisor for the College’s horticultural programs.
He has been a long-time member and honorary member of the Niagara Branch of Master Gardeners, a member of the Grimsby Rotary Club, and formerly hosted Cogeco’s Simply Gardening program.
Martin will receive the honorary diploma on Friday, June 12 (10 a.m. ceremony).
Ceremony schedule
Niagara College will hold twelve convocation ceremonies over six days at its Simplii Financial Athletic Centre.
Monday, June 8
10 a.m. – School of Allied Health, School of Health Sciences, School of Academic and Liberal Studies
3 p.m. -Myhal School of Nursing
Tuesday. June 9
10. a.m. – School of Academic and Liberal Studies, School of English Language Studies, Myhal School of Nursing, School of Health Sciences
3 p.m. – School of Community Services, School of Justice and Fitness
Wednesday, June 10
10 a.m. – School of Culinary Arts, School of Hospitality and Tourism, School of Wine, Beer and Spirits
3 p.m. – School of Justice and Fitness, School of Trades
Thursday, June 11
10 a.m. – School of Technology, School of Trades
3 p.m. – School of Media, School of Technology
Friday, June 12
10 a.m. – School of Business and Management, School of Environment and Horticulture
3 p.m. – School of Business and Management, School of Hospitality and Tourism
Saturday, June 13
10 a.m. – School of Business and Management
3 p.m. – NC Toronto
For a detailed list of programs graduating within each school and the full ceremony schedule, please visit the Niagara College Convocation website. All in-person ceremonies will be livestreamed and available on the website for later viewing.
A leader in applied education, Niagara College offers diploma, bachelor degree, post-graduate and apprenticeship programs at specialized campuses in Niagara-on-the-Lake and Welland. Consistently ranked among Canada’s top research colleges, NC is also involved in educational projects and partnerships around the world that provide students with important hands-on-experience. NC welcomes students from across Niagara, Ontario, and around the world who are studying in in-demand programs that support key sectors and industries in Niagara and beyond, with graduates making important contributions in all corners of our community. Learn more at niagaracollege.ca.
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