(with files from Maria Kotsovos)
Final preparations are underway for one of the biggest celebrations of the year at Belleville’s Loyalist College.
Convocation begins Tuesday with two ceremonies each day for four days and more than 2600 students receiving their diplomas in front of their family and friends and proud faculty members.
This will be the first convocation ceremony to be held in the new, larger gymnasium which also has a large viewing deck on the 3rd floor for people who want a bird’s eye view of the magic moment.
The past 18 months has been challenging for everyone at Loyalist College with announcements about program and staffing cuts, but President and CEO Mark Kirkpatrick says that doesn’t change what convocation means to everyone at Loyalist.
“Our academics lead and tremendous programs give [students] the skills they need to be successful and when we get to convocation, it is the culmination of all of that.
“When you work that into some of the challenges that we’re going through today, what it shows is that we’re still doing what we need to do. We’re still graduating great students, we still have great programs, we’re still making sure that we address the workforce needs of our region,” Kirkpatrick added.
In addition to celebrating graduating students, Loyalist College will confer honorary diplomas on three distinguished community leaders.
The 59th annual convocation honourees are Chris King, CEO, Quinte Economic Development Commission; Sheri Meeks, Deputy Chief, Belleville Police Service; and Tawnya Smith, Administrator, International Student Program and Student Leadership, Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board.
Honorary diplomas are awarded at convocation to individuals who embody Loyalist College’s core values through outstanding professional achievement and community leadership, serving as examples of excellence for students and graduates.
Loyalist College will also be honouring business leader and philanthropist Catharine Huff with the Hugh P. O’Neil Outstanding Alumni Award.
