A reunion 50 years in the making.
On August 22, members of Niagara College’s first-ever graduating Nursing class, the Class of 1975, returned to the Daniel J. Patterson Campus for a golden anniversary celebration at Benchmark Restaurant.
Twenty-five alumni attended the milestone event, with some travelling from out of town, across provinces, and even internationally. For many, it marked the first time they had reunited since crossing the stage together in 1975.
The reunion began in the Benchmark foyer, where alumni shared warm embraces, flipped through an old yearbook, laughed over familiar photos, and caught up on decades of life and career experiences. Alumni were greeted with NC swag before continuing the celebration out onto the Benchmark patio.
The group reflected on careers that had taken them across Canada and around the world, with alumni working in emergency rooms, serving as nurses on cruise ships, and moving into leadership and teaching roles at universities and colleges.
“One of the great things about nursing is that it’s universal,” one alumna shared. “If you want a change, you can take what you’re doing and do it somewhere else, in a different specialty, in a different location. The skills go with you.”
The reunion was sparked by alumni Maria Cancellara and Rose Scales, who approached NC’s Alumni Relations team earlier this year with hopes of organizing a fiftieth anniversary gathering.
“We thought fifty years was a big milestone and we wanted to get everyone together to celebrate,” said Cancellara, who retired in 2019 but later returned to the profession during the pandemic. “I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t love it so much. Nursing gives you a true sense of purpose, I would do it all over again. For current students and future nurses, it’s such a rewarding career to pursue.”
For Scales, who went on to a decade-long career at Toronto’s St. Michael’s Hospital, the choice to become a nurse was one she had known since childhood.
“It’s not something you simply decide to do, it’s a calling,” said Scales. “In my 47 years of nursing, I never once felt like I didn’t want to go to work. When someone really feels it’s their calling, they will make an amazing nurse.”
Tom Price, Alumni Engagement Officer at NC, helped organize the reunion and welcomed the group back to campus.
“I feel so fortunate to be part of these moments,” said Price. “To witness the emotions of alumni reuniting after so many years is incredibly special, and it’s an honour to welcome the Class of 1975 back to Niagara College.”
Gord Arbeau, Vice-President, Advancement, also joined the celebration and noted how meaningful the timing of the reunion was.
“We are honoured and privileged to welcome you back,” Arbeau said. “In just a few weeks, Niagara College will break ground on a major expansion of our healthcare facilities in Welland. This will allow us to graduate more nurses and allied health professionals, because our community is telling us they need it.”
The 75,000-square-foot Healthcare and Community Services Expansion will double the number of students the College can train and comes as NC marks the second year of its Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, which officially returned in 2023.
Courtney Evers, Associate Dean of the School of Nursing, shared updates on NC’s flagship Practical Nursing diploma and the return of the BScN program, which allows students to earn their RN credential through the College.
Courtney Evers, Associate Dean of the School of Nursing, reconnects with Lily Kaldwell, her former NICU preceptor, during the alumni reunion.
“We’re continuing to expand pathways and opportunities to graduate more nurses into this incredible profession,” said Evers.
For Evers, the evening brought a personal full-circle moment. Among the alumni in attendance was Lily Kaldwell, who had been Evers’ preceptor during her student placement in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at McMaster Hospital. The two reconnected instantly, reflecting on their shared time together years earlier, now with an NC connection bringing them together once again.
The reunion was filled with stories, fond memories, and a deep pride in a profession that has shaped countless lives over the past five decades. It was also a moment to reflect on the College’s ongoing work to expand nursing and healthcare programs and prepare the next generation of nurses to serve communities across Ontario and beyond.
Alumni interested in organizing their own reunion are invited to connect with NC Alumni Relations: niagaracollege.ca/alumnirelations/benefits/oncampus.
