Author and award-winning journalist André Picard Delivers Convocation Address to the School of Health, Human and Justice Studies
(L-R) Loyalist College President and CEO Maureen Piercy, Author and award-winning journalist André Picard, and Loyalist College Board Chair June Hagerman
Belleville, Ontario, June 9, 2016 – During the Loyalist College 49th Annual Convocation Ceremony on the morning of Thursday, June 9, 490 students in the School of Health, Human and Justice Studies graduated with Ontario College Advanced Diplomas, Diplomas, and Certificates. In addition, 34 students in the Brock-Loyalist Collaborative Bachelor of Sc
ience in Nursing program were recognized for completing years one and two at the College. They will receive their BScN degree at Brock University after completing years three and four at Brock.
The Convocation Ceremony, held in the Kente Building, was the first of four ceremonies over two days. A total of 1,887 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, Mr. André Picard. Mr. Picard is a health columnist at The Globe & Mail and author of four books, including, The Path to Health Care Reform: Policies and Politics.
Chair Hagerman said, “Being reminded by our community partners and employers of the high regard and respect that they have for our graduates, as their well prepared and trained employees, is a highlight of our work as members of the Board. We are proud that Loyalist Grads have developed successful employability and training skills in order to be productive, contributing citizens in our community and region.”
Mr. Picard has received much acclaim for his writing, including the Michener Prize for Meritorious Public Service Journalism and the Hyman Solomon Prize for Public Policy Journalism. He is an eight-time finalist for the National Newspaper Award, Canada’s Pulitzer Prize, and a recipient of the Centennial Prize of the Pan-American Health Organization, as the top health journalist in the 17 countries of the Americas.
During his Convocation address, Mr. Picard said, “The very best medicine you can offer your patients is a listening ear. The very best treatment you can offer them is a compassionate heart. The diploma that you’re going to receive is not just a piece of paper. It’s a pledge – a pledge to do your best for patients every single day. Honour it. Honour yourself. The health system needs you. We need you – now more than ever.”
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field of public policy and public service, and his dedication to improving health care for all Canadians, Mr. Picard was presented with an Honorary Diploma, the College’s highest academic tribute.
During the Ceremony, the Herbert & Ruth Young Scholarship Award was presented to Child and Youth Worker graduate Shelley Leanne Ayres of Paris, 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
We put you to work™. When it comes to grads getting jobs, 87.4 percent of the College’s most recent graduates found employment within six months of graduation compared to the provincial average of 83.6 percent, according to Provincial Key Performance Indicator (KPI) results released in April 2016. 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 60 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 LEED® Silver certified Sustainable Skills, Technology and Life Sciences Centre 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 over
all effect on the regional economy of $530 million – 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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Media Contact: Kerry Lorimer, Director of Marketing and Communications,
Loyalist College, klorimer@loyalistc.on.ca, (613) 969-1913, ext. 2536
During the Convocation Ceremony, Child and Youth Worker graduate Shelley Leanne Ayres of Paris, Ontario was presented with the Herbert & Ruth Young Scholarship Award by Loyalist College Governor David MacKinnon for her outstanding academic achievements and participation in Loyalist College life.