Associate Coach for the Ottawa Senators Marc Crawford Delivers Convocation Address to the School of Health, Human and Justice Studies
(L-R) June Hagerman, Chair of the Loyalist Board of Governors; Convocation guest speaker Marc Crawford, Associate Coach for the Ottawa Senators; Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan, Loyalist College President and CEO.
Belleville, Ontario, June 8, 2017 – During the Loyalist College 50th Annual Convocation Ceremony on the morning of Thursday, June 8, 472 students in the School of Health, Human and Justice Studies graduated with Ontario College Advanced Diplomas, Diplomas, and Certificates. In addition, 38 students in the Brock-Loyalist Collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing program successfully completed years one and two at Loyalist College (2013-2015) and years three and four at Brock University (2015-2017). They will receive their BScN degree at Brock University.
The Convocation Ceremony, held in the Kente Building, was the first of four ceremonies over two days. A total of 1,819 individuals will graduate, having successfully completed their programs of study. Chair of the Loyalist Board of Governors, June Hagerman, officially opened Convocation and welcomed graduates, their families and friends, and guest speaker, Marc Crawford.
Chair Hagerman said, “We all have professional and personal dreams but where do we find the confidence to pursue them? I believe your confidence begins today with your well-deserved credential in hand. I believe the supporters who surround you, whether it be faculty members, family or friends will continue to encourage you. I believe in you – your passion, your commitment to hard work and your belief that you will succeed. Our congratulations to you, the Class of 2017!”
Mr. Crawford has received many awards throughout his eight-year career as a professional hockey player in the International, American, National and Canadian Hockey Leagues and 30 years as a professional hockey coach. In his first year as coach with the Quebec Nordiques (1994-95), Mr. Crawford won the Jack Adams Award as the National Hockey League Coach of the Year. An Ontario College Business Diploma graduate, Mr. Crawford’s coaching career includes a Stanley Cup win with the Colorado Avalanche (1996). At the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan, he was the head coach of Team Canada’s Men’s National Ice Hockey Team.
During his Convocation address, Mr. Crawford said, “The first thing people say to me (about the Ottawa Senators) is, ‘We had an outstanding season,’ and to me, that’s what it is all about. It isn’t just one person who does it, it is a team, and a team is more than just the players, it’s the people who surround them. We are all connected here – we are connected to Belleville. I hope that you take a piece of the Quinte region with you, graduates, as you head out to see the big, bright world.”
In recognition of his career as a professional hockey player and impressive record as a coach in the Ontario, National and International Hockey Leagues, Mr. Crawford was presented with an Honorary Diploma, the College’s highest academic tribute.
Lianying Chen of Brighton, Ontario received The Governor General’s Award, presented to the graduating student with the highest cumulative average in a two or three-year College program. She graduated with 98 percent from the two-year Early Childhood Education Ontario College Diploma program. The Governor General’s Academic Medal was first awarded in 1873 by the Earl of Dufferin, and has since become one of the most prestigious Canadian educational awards. In addition, Ms. Chen received the Quinte Early Childhood Education Award.
“After coming to Canada, I was at a loss at first about what to do and where to begin,” said Ms. Chen. “Since I’ve always been interested in early childhood education, I decided to go back to school to learn more about it and to start a new career. The two-year experience is rewarding. What I treasure most are the helpful and knowledgeable professors. I was a teacher in China and knew how hard it could be. Thus, I really appreciated the efforts made to help students develop step by step toward the career we chose.”
During the Ceremony, the Herbert & Ruth Young Scholarship Award was presented to Child and Youth Worker graduate Felicity Allcorn of Belleville, Ontario for her outstanding academic achievements and participation in Loyalist College life. The award is presented annually in recognition of Herbert Young who was the President of Loyalist College from 1970–1988.
About Loyalist College
Located on more than 200 acres in the beautiful Bay of Quinte region, Loyalist College is a close-knit community where students and their success come first. Loyalist provides personalized attention in small classes, rewarding field placements and superior student services. To prepare students for in-demand careers, Loyalist offers more than 65 full-time programs; apprenticeships; and hundreds of online, distance and in-class courses, as well as opportunities for continuing education through more than 70 university transfer agreements. The College’s wide selection of advanced diplomas, diplomas and certificates aligns with market-driven disciplines including applied sciences, biosciences, building sciences, business and management studies, health sciences, human studies, justice studies, media, arts and design, and skills and technology. In Ontario, the College’s new Digital Media Centre and The Bay of Quinte Skills Centre, which is LEED® Silver certified, are training centres of choice for students, as well as College business and industry partners. The College is a key driver of the social and economic health and prosperity of the area and contributes 5.4 percent to the Gross Regional Product. This represents an overall effect on the regional economy of $530 million annually – based on a 2014 Report by Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI). For more information on the College’s Belleville and Bancroft campuses, visit loyalistcollege.com.
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Contact: Kerry Lorimer, Director of Marketing and Communications,
Loyalist College, klorimer@loyalistc.on.ca, (613) 969-1913, ext. 2536
(L-R) Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan, Loyalist College President and CEO, and Lianying Chen, recipient of The Governor General’s Award