Niagara College celebrates graduates

Niagara College’s spring convocation ceremonies saw a record number of students graduate last week.

More than 4,600 graduates walked across the stage starting last Tuesday and ending Friday afternoon. This year’s graduation ceremonies were significant for more than the sheer number of grads, it also marked the 50th anniversary of the college,

Friday saw students from the media, trades and technology studies graduate. Among those was broadcasting student Valentina Garcia, 21.

For Garcia, Friday ’s convocation held a special significance because the college has impacted her life in a variety of ways. Garicia said her parents attended the college shortly after her family moved to Niagara from Venezuela, and have since been successful.

“The reason we moved to Welland … is because of Niagara College. Because Niagara College offered my dad the ability to study a program (construction technician) which is related to his real career of a civil engineer,” Garcia said.

Garcia said attending the college was important and she has accomplished a great deal because of the support teachers have provided. During her studies, she said, her teachers always went above and beyond for her.

“I discovered that this is a very good school because the professors here really care about your success,” Garcia said.

During her studies, Garcia interned and worked for CBC. She said she enjoyed covering the Pan Am Games and Para Pan Am Games as well as the Rio Olympics. Because Garcia speaks Spanish and English, she helped translate during her time with CBC.

Garcia said her work experience during her studies at Niagara College laid a good foundation for her future.

Niagara College has graduates from more than 100 countries. There have been more than 75,000 graduates since the college’s inception 50 years ago.