It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!
Posted on Tuesday, June 10th, 2014
It really is the most wonderful time of the year here on campus and it’s not because a majority of our students are gone for the summer! This is our favourite time of the year because the faculty, support staff and management team love celebrating the successes of our graduating class.
This past week we had the honour of watching over 180 students walk across the stage at the Pembroke Memorial Centre. Their smiles could be seen from a mile away as could the realization that all their hard work, late nights and endless cups of coffee got them to this extraordinary moment. All the “cheerleaders” who watched these students grow and accomplish such wonderful things, including friends, family, special guests, faculty and support staff cheered and clapped as this enthusiastic group of students celebrated each other.
Dr. Kent MacDonald, Algonquin College President said it perfectly, “We are in an arena which has a long history of celebrating champions,” he said, and stated it is no different this evening. “You are a very impressive lot.”
The theme of the evening was a challenge to our graduating class – figure out how to give back to your communities and live a life of purpose. This is not a small challenge by any means, but a challenge nonetheless that we know our students are committed to fulfilling.
Photo taken by Stephen Uhler, Observer Multimedia Journalist
We also had the privilege of presenting an honorary degree to Charles Butler, Pembroke businessman and exceptional supporter of our Waterfront Campus. Mr. Butler shared some very wise words with our graduates, “You have earned an education from the college, but it is now up to you to do something with it,” he said.
No matter where they end up, Butler said they should never forget their home community or their college, and to share the wealth with them, either with volunteer time or money.
These words were echoed by valedictorian Anthony Rea, a Social Service Worker student who has dedicated the last two years of his life to support his local community of Renfrew County through various charitable events and his volunteerism.
Though not family and not necessarily friends of our students, we, at the College, are invested in the success of our students on campus and take great pleasure in celebrating each and every student who crosses the threshold of what could be to what will be.
Did you have a “cheerleader” in your life that supported you through your educational journey? Tell us about it!
Posted By: Jodi Bucholtz
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