Student support shines at NSCC graduation
Around 250 students graduated during NSCC Burridge ceremony
The 2018 NSCC Burridge convocation ceremony was held June 5 at the Yarmouth Mariners Centre. Pictured are NSCC Burridge principal Mary Thompson (far left) and NSCC president Don Bureaux (far right) with major award winners Kendall Treese, Mallory Francis, Kaitlyn Williamson, Jenny Goreham, Hailey Stuart and class valedictorian Keegan O’Connell.
As they crossed the stage to collect their certificates and diplomas at this year’s NSCC Burridge convocation you could feel and witness the support the students – now graduates – receive from the college, the faculty and the community.
“It’s a very special time of the year for us where we get to recognize the success of our students,” said NSCC president Don Bureaux prior to the June 5 ceremony. “It’s a very humbling experience because we get invited into people’s lives for a couple of years to be part of their learning journey. The bond that is created between the student and the faculty and staff is simply Smiles from graduates Aileen Addington (right) or Digby and Social Services classmate Federica Costanzo of Italy. amazing.”
Close to 250 students graduated during the ceremony – one of 21 ceremonies across the province for 4,500 graduates. Bureaux said NSCC has worked hard to address the post-secondary needs of Nova Scotians, especially given that not everyone wants to – or is able to – go the university route.
“We’ve worked hard over the years to make sure that every Nova Scotian has an opportunity to pursue post-secondary education and we recognize that people learn differently and they want to pursue different careers,” he said. “If a person wants to pursue a career where the college education makes sense, I think we’ve come to a place where we’re respected, recognized and are a relevant post-secondary institution.”
NSCC has also partnered with universities in some programs. Students can complete two years at NSCC for their diploma, then continue studies for another two years at university to secure a degree.
The NSCC graduating class included students who recently graduated from high school. Others who have been away from the education system for some time. Some looking for career changes. Some balancing jobs and/or families as Lots of smiles while crossing the stage at the NSCC Burridge graduation. they attended school. Some graduates crossed the stage carrying their children.
“For me this is such an emotional day because you see students who come in at the beginning of the year and some are really nervous, some haven’t maybe had a lot of experience in school, and at the end of this they just shine,” said Mary Thompson, principal of NSCC Burridge. “Not only are they confident but they want to come back and they want to be part of the community. It’s just so heartwarming.”
During convocation ceremonies an NSCC tradition is to have faculty members and staff present certificates and diplomas to their own loved ones when a family member is graduating. Thompson was among those who had the pleasure of doing this as she presented the diploma to her daughter Carrie Thompson, who graduated with honours from the Mental Health Recovery and Promotion Program.
Thompson noted NSCC continues to work hard to create partnerships with the community and to be a place people turn to for more than just an education. This includes an upcoming initiative in Digby, Yarmouth and Shelburne, courtesy of Université Sainte-Anne, that will aid in the development of community business ideas.
Class valedictorian Keegan O’Connell, of Yarmouth, graduated from the Business AdministrationAccounting program. He returned to NSCC after graduating from the welding program. He plans to use NSCC’s articulation agreement to further his education at university, attain a degree and, one day, earn a chartered professional accountant or chartered financial analyst designation.
In his valedictorian bio it was stated that as a person with severe hearing loss, O’Connell has had to persevere to overcome a variety of challenges. He said fellow graduates have had to do the same.
“I’m sure you can all remember a moment during your time at NSCC when it felt like you were on the brink of failure. Maybe you contemplated giving up, whether it was a test, an assignment, a deadline or life’s circumstances,” he said, but with support from family, friends, faculty or classmates they pushed through.
“We have learned to work hard, gained employable skills, learned how to overcome obstacles. We’ve shouldered responsibility, gained independence, we’ve learned to cope with stress, learned from our mistakes,” he said, adding that often the greatest lessons in life can come from the most challenging of experiences.
MAJOR AWARD RECIPIENTS
• Governor General’s Academic Medal for highest academic standing in a diploma program: Kaitlynn Williamson, Sable River (Esthetics and Spa Therapies)
• Nova Scotia Community College Gold Medal for highest academic standing in a certificate program: Hailey Stuart, Clare (Office Administration)
• Board of Governors’ Award for academic achievement in a diploma program and contribution to campus and/or community activities: Mallory Francis, Digby (Practical Nursing)
• President’s Award for academic achievement in a certificate program and contribution to campus and/or community activities: Jenny Goreham, Woods Harbour (Office Administration)
• NSCC Alumni Rising Star Award for a graduate who embodies the alumni tradition of excellence and ambassadorship and whose contributions have inspired a sense of community and pride on campus: Kendall Treese, Yarmouth (welding)