Belleville, Ontario, June 7, 2018 – During the first two Loyalist College Convocation ceremonies today, 920 students graduated with 998 post-secondary credentials, including Ontario College Advanced Diplomas, Diplomas and Certificates. Over the course of ceremonies on June 7 and 8, Loyalist will recognize a total of 1,838 new graduates who have successfully completed their programs of study.
This morning, 344 Diplomas and Certificates were conferred on 340 graduates in the:
School of Health, Human and Justice Studies
School of Media, Business, Access and Continuing Education
This afternoon, 654 Diplomas and Certificates were conferred on 580 graduates in the:
School of Health, Human and Justice Studies
School of Media, Business, Access and Continuing Education
Chair of the Loyalist Board of Governors, Bob Forder, opened the Convocation ceremonies and welcomed graduating students and their families and friends. Loyalist President and CEO, Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan also addressed graduates and guests, and introduced guest speaker, Peter MacKinnon.
Presentation of Honorary Diplomas
June Hagerman, Past Chair of the Loyalist Board of Governors, was presented with an Honorary Diploma, the College’s highest academic tribute, by Chair Forder in recognition of her long and distinguished service to Loyalist. Having been appointed as a Governor in 2012 and reappointed by the Board in 2015 for a second three-year term, Past Chair Hagerman served six years on the Board, the maximum term for a Governor.
Catharine Huff and Lanny Huff were presented with Honorary Diplomas by Chair Forder and Dr. Vaughan in recognition of their outstanding contributions as community builders and visionary supporters of the College over the years. Mr. and Mrs. Huff established the Peter F. Huff Endowment Fund to provide annual awards for students from Prince Edward County, and contributed major capital support to the building of The Bay of Quinte Skills Centre. Most recently they provided support for the focus on Health and Wellness at Loyalist, an initiative which began in 2016 with the newly renovated third floor of the Northumberland Wing.
Mr. MacKinnon was presented with an Honorary Diploma by Chair Forder in recognition of his outstanding contributions to public service, and his commitment and leadership in post-secondary education and its importance to society. Mr. MacKinnon, who delivered the afternoon Convocation address, served as President of the University of Saskatchewan from 1998 to 2012 and Dean of Law from 1988 – 1998.
Presentation of Prestigious Awards
Catherine Francia of Belleville 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 an average of 98.24 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. Ms. Francia, who moved to Belleville in 2016 from the Philippines, also received the Quinte Early Childhood Education Award.
Lesley Hayman of Frankford received the Herbert and Ruth Young Scholarship from Dr. Vaughan and Mrs. Young. The scholarship, which recognizes outstanding academic achievement and commendable participation in other aspects of College life, was presented to Ms. Hayman for graduating from Business with a cumulative average of 95.5 percent, while tutoring peers, creating the Novel Writing Club at Loyalist and participating in the Enactus program. Ms. Hayman, who returned to school after working for 20 years, completed her program in less than three semesters through both in-class and online studies.
Valedictorians
Jennifer Thompson, Public Relations, 2018; Recreation & Leisure Services, 2016; and General Arts & Science, 2013
C-Jay Stark, Child & Youth Care, 2018, and President of Loyalist Student Government, 2017 – 2018
Quotes
“As a graduate of Loyalist, I know what is required to complete a post-secondary credential, and I congratulate each of you for your perseverance and dedication. Looking back, I understand the value of my education here in a very different way. I know that it gave me a great start and has helped me succeed as I’ve moved ahead in my career. I also understand the importance of this College to our communities and province – to you and your families, to employers, businesses and industry, and the social and economic health of our area.” – Bob Forder, Chair of the Loyalist College Board of Governors
“Our graduates contribute to our communities each and every day – they deliver the services we need in health and policing, human studies, engineering technologies, media arts, and applied sciences. They are entrepreneurs – they are community leaders – and they are dedicated to service. They keep our economy and our society moving! They reach for the stars and they impact virtually every service with which we interact every day. Graduates – this is your day – and we want to congratulate you and thank you for choosing Loyalist for this part of your journey.” – Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan, President and CEO, Loyalist College
“The single, greatest preparation for adaptation and leadership is advanced education – and that is the real meaning of today. Your families and friends, your instructors and all who contribute to Loyalist, celebrate and salute your success. I am fortunate enough to join them, and to join you in this well-earned celebration.” – Guest speaker Peter MacKinnon
“Upon enrolment, we’ve all had our fair share of challenges. Whether physical, mental or emotional. I’m proud to say that Loyalist has given us the tools to succeed regardless. The College has provided a place to foster our intelligence and acknowledge the world outside the classroom.” – Valedictorian Jennifer Thompson, Public Relations, 2018, Recreation & Leisure Services, 2016, and General Arts & Science, 2013
“I would like to take a moment to thank the wonderful faculty who spend countless hours figuring out ways to teach us, marking our work and helping us figure out what we want to do with our education. We appreciate and value your dedication and without you we would not be here today.” – Valedictorian C-Jay Stark, Child & Youth Care, 2018, and President of Loyalist Student Government, 2017-18
About Loyalist College
Loyalist is Ontario’s Destination College, a deliberate choice of students and community for quality programs and student engagement, enabled by a creative, innovative and supportive organizational and learning culture. Located on more than 200 acres in the beautiful Bay of Quinte region, the College is perfectly positioned between Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. Loyalist prepares students for rewarding careers through more than 70 full-time diploma, advanced diploma, certificate and apprenticeship programs in applied sciences, biosciences, building sciences, business, health sciences, human studies, justice studies, media studies, skills and technology. Through the College’s 100+ university transfer agreements, many Loyalist diploma graduates earn a degree in as little as one additional year. Continuing education options are also available throughLoyalistFocus.com, including hundreds of online, distance and in-class courses. The College is a key driver of social and economic health in rural-urban eastern Ontario. It contributes 5.4 percent to the Gross Regional Product, representing $530 million annually to the regional economy – based on a 2014 report by Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI). Loyalist collaborates with industry partners in various fields on applied research projects, creating amazing learning experiences for students and faculty. The College’s Applied Research Centre for Natural Products and Medical Cannabis (ARC) is Canada’s only College with a laboratory approved to conduct research with cannabis under the Narcotic Control Regulations. For more information on Loyalist’s Belleville and Bancroft campuses and Port Hope satellite location, visit YoureGoingPlaces.com.
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Contact: Kerry Lorimer, Director, Marketing, Communications and Recruitment
Loyalist College, klorimer@loyalistcollege.com, 613-969-1913 ext. 2536
(L-R) Chair Forder presented June Hagerman, Past Chair of the Loyalist Board of Governors, with an Honorary Diploma, the College’s highest academic tribute, in recognition of her long and distinguished service to Loyalist.
Lanny Huff and Catharine Huff (centre) were presented with Honorary Diplomas by Chair Forder (right) and President Vaughan (left) in recognition of their outstanding contributions as community builders and visionary supporters of the College over the years.
(L-R) Lesley Hayman of Frankford received the Herbert and Ruth Young Scholarship from Mrs. Young.
(L-R) Catherine Francia of Belleville received The Governor General’s Award, presented by Loyalist College President and CEO Ann Marie Vaughan.
(L-R) Bob Forder, Chair of the Loyalist Board of Governors; Convocation guest speaker Peter MacKinnon who served as President of the University of Saskatchewan from 1998 to 2012 and Dean of Law from 1988 – 1998; Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan, Loyalist College President and CEO.
Valedictorian Jennifer Thompson, Public Relations, 2018; Recreation & Leisure Services, 2016; and General Arts & Science, 2013.
Valedictorian C-Jay Stark, Child & Youth Care, 2018, and President of Loyalist Student Government, 2017 – 2018.