Belleville, Ontario, June 7, 2019 – During the final two Loyalist College Convocation ceremonies today, 1,037 students graduated with 1,133 post-secondary credentials, including Ontario College advanced diplomas, diplomas and certificates. Over the course of the ceremonies on June 6 and 7, Loyalist recognized a total of 2,016 new graduates who successfully completed their programs of study.
This morning, 480 diplomas and certificates were conferred on 460 graduates in the:
School of Applied Sciences, Skills and Technology (Applied Sciences)
School of Media, Business and Access (Media Studies)
This afternoon, 653 diplomas and certificates were conferred on 577 graduates in the:
School of Applied Sciences, Skills and Technology (Skills and Technology)
School of Applied Sciences, Skills and Technology (Building Sciences)
School of Health, Human and Justice Studies (Justice Studies)
Chair of the Loyalist College Board of Governors, Bob Forder, opened the Convocation ceremonies and welcomed graduating students and their families and friends. Loyalist President & CEO, Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan, also addressed graduates and guests, and introduced guest speakers Mr. Ryan Snoddon and Professor Vincent Cunnane.
Presentation of Honorary Diplomas and Prestigious Awards
Mr. Snoddon was presented with an Honorary Diploma, the College’s highest academic tribute, by Chair Forder, for his distinguished career as a meteorologist, his leadership as a Loyalist graduate and his contributions to his community through the many organizations and initiatives he supports. Mr. Snoddon was also presented with the Hugh P. O’Neil Outstanding Alumni Award by Mrs. Donna O’Neil and President Vaughan.
Rami El Masri was presented with the Herbert & Ruth Young Scholarship, which recognizes outstanding academic achievement and commendable participation in other aspects of College life. Mr. El Masri graduated from the New Media Production & Animation Ontario College advanced diploma program with a cumulative average of 92.1 percent, while tutoring peers, volunteering for Student Success opportunities; orientation activities, facilitating software learning sessions for the College’s AccessAbility orientations in addition to being a Residence Assistant and a member of the Student Access Lab staff.
Professor Cunnane, President of Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT), was presented with an Honorary Diploma by Chair Forder in recognition of his influence, commitment and leadership in post-secondary education and its importance to society. Professor Cunnane is Chair of the Governing Council of the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, and was a member of the board of the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training.
Jacinta Obasohan, a 2019 Customs Border Services graduate, was recognized for serving as the student representative on the Loyalist College Board of Governors for 2018-2019.
Mr. Bob Forder, Chair of the Loyalist College Board of Governors, was presented with an Honorary Diploma by June Hagerman, Past Chair, Loyalist College Board of Governors, in recognition of his long and distinguished service to the College. In addition to having played a major role in the development of the College, Chair Forder’s deep sense of commitment, active participation and outstanding leadership have set an example for members of Loyalist’s community.
Achievement Awards
Other distinctions presented included the Weston Family Scholarship in the Skilled Trades. The W. Garfield Weston Foundation is a private Canadian family foundation, established in the 1950s by Willard Garfield Weston and his wife, Reta. The Scholarship was established as a pilot program at Loyalist in 2013 and provides financial support and recognition to students in the skilled trades.
Thirty-four Weston Family Scholars graduated this year, in:
Automotive Service Technician Apprenticeship
- Jeff John Bolton, Kingston
- Matthew Lebow, Frankford
- Jacob Alexander MacDonald, Havelock
- Isaac Abdul Salaam, Kingston
- John Vilneff, Peterborough
Carpentry & Renovation Techniques
- Wyatt Gordon Craig, Stirling
- Alexandra Kathleen Abigail Ingram, Frankford
Carpentry & Renovation Technician
- Alexandra Kathleen Abigail Ingram, Frankford
Electrical Techniques
- Alexander George Pilote, Cornwall
- Gordon Samuel Tanner, Tottenham
Electrical Engineering Technician – Industrial
- Mark Davidson, Belleville
- Michael David Edwards, Shannonville
- Brandon Wilhelm Paul Kasbaum, Brighton
- Richard Kellar, Belleville
- Rachel Nicole Maynard, Belleville
Manufacturing Engineering Technician
- Scott Alexander Elliott, Uxbridge
- Sonora Isobel Plumb, Cardiff
- Mark Stoddart, Fergus
Mechanical Techniques
- Ethan Riley Puffer, Belleville
Motive Power Fundamentals – Parts & Counter Personnel
- Sean Blayney, Plainfield
- John Ormston Roussakis, Trenton
Motive Power Technician – Service & Management
- Amber Arlene Raby, Port Hope
- Sarah Stoliker, Castleton
Welding Techniques
- Elizabeth Kathleen Fearon, Belleville
- Emily Sarah Jaring, Vankleek Hill
- Kyle Stewart Legault, Carleton Place
- Jade Alexis Murphy, Stittsville
- Travis Keith Andrew Rendell, Shannonville
- Brandon Van Loon, Finch
Welding & Fabrication Technician
- Grant Alexander Bidwell, Trenton
- Quinn Dunkley, Campbellford
- Keith Lorne James Gunning, Stirling
- Kyle Christopher Hendry, Pembroke
- Ben Andrew Kovacs, Wasaga Beach
- Meagan Amelia Riedke, Port Colborne
Valedictorians
Natasha Mathieu, Biotechnology Technologist, 2019, and Biotechnology Technician, 2018
Josh Roberts, Public Relations – Event Management, 2019, and Fitness & Health Promotion, 2018
Quotes
“I’ve only been in the media workforce for 15 years, but I learned quickly that once you walk out these doors and enter that next chapter of your lives, it’s the people who are driven, who will get where they want to go the fastest. Those who separate themselves from the pack as the hardest workers, the non-complainers, the “I’ll try any job in the building” people. Those folks are the ones who almost always are rewarded in the end.” – Guest speaker Mr. Ryan Snoddon
“Over a very short period, LIT and Loyalist College have developed a close working relationship with many articulations and staff interactions. At LIT we recognize all prior learning of Loyalist students in a one-to-one credit system basis as we do with other Ontario colleges. LIT has had over 200 Ontario students in the last five years. They have assimilated seamlessly into LIT, Limerick and other parts of our operations. In fact, I think they have received a very good education and had a great time!” – Guest speaker Professor Vincent Cunnane
“I believe that the connections that are made at Loyalist are rare in an educational institution. For example, Loyalist provides opportunities to connect with your faculty, peers, teammates and our community. These connections not only enriched our learning, they will be carried with us throughout our lives.” – Valedictorian Natasha Mathieu
“I take a sense of pride knowing that I am a part of this incredible and hardworking graduating class. While we all don’t come from the same programs, backgrounds or even places, we all share in the fact that we are dedicated hard workers willing and able to climb the steepest and most difficult mountains to overcome challenges and achieve our goals.” – Valedictorian Josh Roberts
About Loyalist College
Loyalist is Ontario’s Destination College, empowering students, faculty, staff, and partners through experiential, industry cluster-based education, training and applied research programs. The College provides job-ready graduates for, and knowledge transfer to, industry and the community. When it comes to Ontario college graduates getting jobs, Loyalist is the top College in the province, according to KPI results, released November 2018. Of 2016-17 Loyalist graduates, 90.8 percent were employed within six months after graduation. Located on more than 200 acres in the beautiful Bay of Quinte region, the College is perfectly positioned between Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. Loyalist offers more than 70 full-time diploma, certificate and apprenticeship programs in biosciences, building sciences, business, community service, health and wellness, media studies, public safety, and skilled trades. Continuing education options are available through LoyalistFocus.com; including hundreds of online, distance and in-class courses; and through the College’s 100+ university transfer agreements. Loyalist is a key driver of social and economic health in eastern Ontario. It contributes 5.8 percent of the Gross Regional Product, representing $465 million annually to the regional economy – based on an October 2018 report by Emsi. For more information on Loyalist’s Belleville and Bancroft campuses and Port Hope satellite location, visit YoureGoingPlaces.com.
– 30 –
Contact: Kerry Lorimer, Director, Marketing, Communications and Recruitment
Loyalist College, klorimer@loyalistcollege.com, 613-969-1913, ext. 2536