The St. Catharines Standard recapped Niagara College’s 2019 Spring Convocation in which over 5,100 students received diplomas at eight ceremonies over five days, the largest graduating class in NC’s history.
The piece focuses on two firsts for NC. At the ceremonies on Thursday and Friday, the first cohort of students from the Commercial Cannabis Production program and the Artisan Distilling program graduated.
Artisan Distilling student Michael Bright says of NC, “There’s no school like this — no other graduates coming out with this hands-on experience,” expressing his excitement about being one of the first to enter this emerging sector of the beverage industry with a post-secondary credential in distilling.
Distilling student Stephen D’Orazio, and Head distiller David Dickson comment on being part of the first post-secondary program of its kind in Canada. NC president Dan Patterson expresses his pride for graduates as they crossed the stage last week.
The piece mentions Kelly L. Brown, senior vice president, legal and corporate affairs for Arterra Wines Canada Inc., who addressed graduates at the Friday ceremony, urging them to take pride in their accomplishments and be a leader who has a positive impact on others. Other speakers noted were Niagara Casinos president Richard Taylor, acting Niagara Region medical officer of health Dr. Mustafa Hirji, and CEO of Community Care St. Catharines and Thorold Betty-Lou Souter.
