‘You can really strive’

More than 300 people graduate from CBU

More than 300 students walked onto the stage with pride during the Cape Breton University fall convocation ceremony at the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre on Saturday.

Students from 14 countries crossed the stage to receive degrees, diplomas and certificates and were welcomed into alumni of more than 20,000.

The student body chose Eleanor Sidley, a bachelor of hospitality and tourism management student and current Cape Breton University students union president, as its valedictorian.

Sidley is originally from Ontario and arrived at CBU as a community college transfer student. She said the best part of her convocation was her parents watching her give a speech to her fellow graduates.

“My parents are here and it’s my dad’s first time in the East Coast and I’m really excited they can come watch me,” said Sidley, who used her speech to be honest to her classmates.

“A lot of my speech focused on the reality of what life will bring. You have some good days and you have had hard days. Days where you had a hard mid-term but you got through that and you if you can make it through those issues, you can really strive.”

Another student who was a success story was longtime Cape Breton Musician, Howie MacDonald, 53, who graduated with a bachelor of arts in psychology, with plans to move on to a bachelor of social work.

MacDonald had words of encouragement for people who might think they may not be able to adjust to university at his age.

“I know how difficult it is to go back to school at my age, and for those that are considering it, it can be done,” said MacDonald.

Honorary degrees were awarded to Eunice Harker and Mary Rebecca Julian. Each woman received a doctor of letters, honoris causa, for their life’s work in human rights advocacy and the preservation of Mi’kmaq culture, respectively.