After six days, 12 high-energy ceremonies and thousands of congratulatory handshakes, Niagara College officially concluded its largest ever Spring Convocation on Saturday, June 13.<\/p>\n
The marathon event marked a historic milestone for the College, adding approximately 7,000 new graduates to its global alumni family of well over 150,000.<\/p>\n
Throughout the week, the Welland Campus transformed into a hub of celebration that highlighted how the College directly supports crucial economic sectors, with new graduates ready to bring applied knowledge and hands-on experience to the workforce.<\/p>\n
Saturday’s final ceremonies brought a dynamic close to the week, celebrating more than 1,600 graduates from the School of Business and Management<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Niagara College Toronto<\/a>.<\/p>\n Niagara College president Sean Kennedy challenged the Class of 2026 to embrace the future with passion. He left the new graduates with a powerful prompt, quoting poet Mary Oliver’s poem, “The Summer Day” asking them what they plan to do with their “one wild and precious life.”<\/p>\n “Graduates, your ‘wild and precious life’ is yours to design. You had a plan when you came to NC, an interest that informed your program choice, that has hopefully grown into a passion upon which you will build a career,” said Kennedy. “Your plan may have changed since you started, and it may change many more times as you build the life you wish to live.”<\/p>\n He encouraged the Class of 2026 to prioritize connection with people and nature, and to take time to unplug.<\/p>\n “Wherever your ‘wild and precious life’ takes you next, know that your NC family is incredibly proud of you, and behind you every step of the way,” he said.<\/p>\n Spring Convocation highlights<\/strong><\/p>\n The College rang in Spring Convocation on June 8 with hundreds of future healthcare heroes crossing the stage among almost 1,045 graduates from the schools of Allied Health<\/a>, Health Sciences<\/a>, Academic and Liberal Studies<\/a>, and the Myhal School of Nursing<\/a>.<\/p>\n Ceremonies on June 9 honoured more than 1,180 graduates from its schools of Academic and Liberal Studies<\/a>, English Language Studies<\/a>, Health Sciences<\/a>, \u00a0Justice and Fitness<\/a>, Community Services<\/a>, and the Myhal School of Nursing<\/a>.<\/p>\n Recreation Therapy<\/a>\u00a0graduate Alleeya Guthro (Welland) was honoured with the prestigious Governor General’s Bronze Academic Medal<\/strong>, for achieving the highest average in a diploma program.<\/p>\n On June 10, the College recognized almost 980 graduates from the schools of Culinary Arts<\/a>, Hospitality and Tourism<\/a>, and Wine, Beer and Spirits<\/a>, providing an immediate boost to Niagara’s skilled labour force as a premier destination for tourism, as well as the schools of Justice and Fitness<\/a>\u00a0and Trades<\/a>, equipped for careers that support safer, stronger communities and help fill critical workforce needs.<\/p>\n More than 1,115 graduates were honoured from the schools of Media<\/a>, Trades<\/a>, and Technology<\/a>\u00a0on June 11, ready to bring their sought-after skills to Ontario’s tech and industry sectors.<\/p>\n June 12 celebrated 910 graduates from the schools of Business and Management<\/a>, Environment and Horticulture<\/a>, and Hospitality and Tourism<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Governor General’s Silver Academic Medal<\/strong>\u00a0was awarded to Nashwa Higazy (St. Catharines), a graduate of the Honours Bachelor of Business Administration (Human Resources)<\/a>\u00a0program, for achieving the highest average in a degree program.<\/p>\n This year’s Distinguished Alumni Award<\/strong>\u00a0was presented to Celeste Anderson (Toronto), CEO and co-founder of Digital Sports Administration Inc., who graduated from the Tourism Management – Business Development<\/a>\u00a0program in 2020. A trailblazer in the gaming industry, Anderson was Canada’s first female professional gamer and currently serves as Director of Business Operations for the Women of Halo executive team.<\/p>\n Community guest Bob Martin (Lincoln) was awarded an Honorary Diploma in Environment and Horticulture. <\/strong>The former General Manager of Martin Farms Ltd. was recognized for his decades of exceptional leadership in the horticultural sector.<\/p>\n From June 8 to June 13, ceremonies were held twice daily at the Welland Campus (Simplii Financial Athletic Centre). All ceremonies were livestreamed and remain available for viewing on the Niagara College Convocation website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\t\t