Rob Huddleston, Manager of Human Resources for Foot Locker Canada, Addresses Third of Four 50th Anniversary Convocation Ceremonies
(L-R) June Hagerman, Chair of the Loyalist Board of Governors; Convocation guest speaker Rob Huddleston, Manager of Human Resources for Foot Locker Canada; Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan, Loyalist College President and CEO.
Belleville, Ontario, June 9, 2017 – At the 50th Annual Convocation Ceremony this morning, 478 graduates in the School of Applied Sciences, Skills and Technology and School of Business were presented with 434 Ontario College Advanced Diplomas, Diplomas and Certificates. The College also presented 17 Loyalist College Career and College Prep Certificates and 27 Automotive Apprenticeships. The 50th Anniversary Convocation Ceremony was the third of four, recognizing a total of 1,819 graduates.
Loyalist President and CEO Ann Marie Vaughan addressed graduating students, “Thank you for choosing Loyalist for this part of your journey. Loyalist is truly a ‘Destination College,’ and I know that you will keep in touch with your alma mater through loyalistconnections.com. We hope that you will stay up-to-date with College activities and continue to learn with us as you move through your career. We will welcome you back at any time – in person or online!”
Guest speaker Rob Huddleston, a Loyalist graduate who earned a Business diploma in 2009 and a Business Administration and Human Resources Management diploma in 2010, delivered the Convocation address. As Manager of Human Resources for Foot Locker Canada, Mr. Huddleston supports operations across various divisions. He has played a pivotal role in launching new banner initiatives from the United States including House of Hoops, Footaction and the new Jumpman store on Yonge Street in Toronto. In 2014 and 2016, he received Leadership Awards from Foot Locker and in 2015 was nominated by Loyalist for a Colleges Ontario Premier’s Award in the Business category. He is currently working towards a Bachelor of Management degree through Athabasca University.
“The lessons I learned from my Loyalist professors echo in decisions I make to this very day,” said Mr. Huddleston. “I strive to one day do the same for those I coach and mentor throughout my career. I have defined that as the pinnacle of what I do. No matter the salary or title, I will seek the rush of fear to fuel me, the teaching of failure to guide me and the confidence I get from knowing my path and the way to success at the finish line.”
In recognition of his impressive career and for his leadership as a Loyalist graduate, Chair of the Loyalist Board of Governors June Hagerman presented Rob Huddleston with an Honorary Diploma, the College’s highest academic tribute.
Among other distinctions presented Friday morning was The W. Garfield Weston Foundation Fellowship at Loyalist, providing financial support for students entering skilled trades programs. During the course of their studies, recipients who maintain a specified minimum average may receive up to $4,000 in bursaries from The W. Garfield Weston Foundation and tuition credits from the College. The Fellowship began as a pilot project at Loyalist in 2013 with a total commitment of $240,000 and has since grown to over $520,000 in student funding to provide financial support for 150 students entering skilled trades programs.
Forty-six Fellows graduated this year, in:
Automotive Apprenticeship
- Kasey Marie Waterman, Indian River
- Travis William Brown, Port Hope
- Shane Finch, Springbrook
Construction Renovation Techniques (June 8 at 2:30 pm)
- Cameron Clamp Parrish Gray, Belleville
- Victoria Maietta, Belleville
Construction Renovation Technician (June 8 at 2:30 pm)
- Quintin Paul Jolliffe, Napanee
- Gwendolyn Wannamaker, Picton
Electrical Techniques
- Michael Paul Ian Bruyea, Trenton
- Austin James Cummings, Pickering
- Rylan Douglas Howes, Dartmouth, NS
- Connor Laguff, Belleville
- Landon Richard Liam Meek, Stirling
- Carter Francis Gordon Moore, Belleville
- Jeremy Daniel Nopper, Stirling
- Jacob Austin Outred, Campbellford
- Robert Daniel Steenburg, Picton
Mechanical Techniques
- Riley James William Avery, Trenton
- Edward Stanley Brake, Trenton
- Aaron James David Crang, Picton
- Alisha Christine Hoard, Stirling
- Kevin Robert MacDonald, Trenton
- Jordan David McIntosh, Scarborough
- Tyler Jacob Reynolds, Lyn
- Addison Rickman, Courtice
- Riley Wayne Rose, Verona
- Rebecca Faith Sweet, Napanee
- Harold James Toews, Madoc
- Ryan Whyte, Madoc
- Stephen Jean Christopher Zammitti, Belleville
- Cole Warren Zervos, Kars
Welding Techniques
- Ryan Robert Calver, Napanee
- Justin David Smithers, Belleville
- Kyle Ross Woodbeck, Wooler
Electrical Engineering Technician – Industrial
- Jeffry Cross, Belleville
- Gregory John Legere, Cobourg
- Wyatt Jack McCann, Madoc
Manufacturing Engineering Technician
- Dana De Jong, Marmora
- Adam James Lott, Madoc
- Cole Alexander Watts, Foxboro
Motive Power Technician – Service and Management
- Sarah Cloutier, Belleville
- Andrew John Dale Gunsinger, Napanee
- Austin Reid, Brighton
Welding and Fabrication Technician
- Jordan Donald Michael Brough, Flinton
- Austin Kenneth Fuller, Denbigh
- Logan Keller, Bancroft
- Catherine Elaine Preece, Corbyville
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