Del Rollo, director, Eastern Estates Wineries and Government Relations at Constellation Brands, was the guest speaker at Niagara College’s afternoon ceremonies the morning of June 19. He is pictured on stage at NC’s morning convocation ceremonies.
Del Rollo, director, Eastern Estates Wineries and Government Relations at Constellation Brands, was the guest speaker at Niagara College’s afternoon ceremonies the morning of June 19. He is pictured on stage at NC’s morning convocation ceremonies.
Chief of Niagara Emergency Medical Services Kevin Smith returned to his alma mater Niagara College on June 19 to inspire graduates from the College’s Community and Health Studies Division during their afternoon convocation ceremony. Smith, who also received an honorary diploma in Community and Health Studies, had a powerful message.
“After today, it’s not about you anymore,” he said, addressing approximately 400 graduates at the ceremony. “It’s all about the patients/clients you serve.”
Smith spoke about the need for a personal touch in healthcare, and for new graduates in the digital age to “disconnect to reconnect.”
“The human element, the human touch, is so, so vital,” said Smith. “Being able to talk to a patient or simply holding a hand can be the greatest medicine you can provide.”
At the morning ceremony, more than 400 students from the College’s Canadian Food and Wine Institute; Business, Hospitality and Tourism Environmental Division; and the Media and Technology Division received degrees, diplomas or certificates. Guest speaker Del Rollo, director, Eastern Estates Wineries and government relations at Constellation Brands, received an honorary degree in Hospitality Operations Management. His main message to the graduates: Carpe Diem.
“I really believe that everybody should wake up every day and say, ‘I am going to seize the day!’ It is actually a pretty hard thing to do,” he said.
Rollo, who worked his way up the ranks in server and management positions at various hotels, to food server, wine sommelier and assistant manager of the Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto’s Yorkville neighbourhood before becoming instrumental to launching Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate in 2001, gave advice from his own experience.
“Many of you in the room today have chosen some pretty inspiring professions, whether it is hospitality, winemaking, viticulture, culinary arts, environmental studies … you all have the opportunity to achieve great things,” he said. “Create a plan, become an expert in everything you do. It is OK to start as a waiter and hone your skills there before you move into management. These are all the steps that I have taken to get where I am today.”
The morning ceremony also marked a special a milestone for the College, as the first class of students from the Renewable Energies Technician program were among the graduates. The two-year diploma program, which teaches students about renewable energies such as solar, wind and geothermal, aims to supply the market with high-quality graduates to fill the demand for renewable energies, which is more labour intensive than other energy sources such as fossil fuel.
This year’s Spring Convocation Ceremonies – the College’s largest to date – will see 3,300 students, cross the convocation stage to receive degrees, diplomas or certificates. Held at NC’s Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus, the ceremonies take place between June 18-21, at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. each day.
