The afternoon Loyalist College Convocation ceremony on June 9th honoured 431 graduates of the College’s Centre for Justice Studies and the School of Business and Management Studies. The Governor General’s Medal was presented to Jason Lee, a graduate of the two-year Accounting Program. This prestigious award is presented to the student with the highest overall average in a two or three-year program at the College.
The Convocation Address was given by Mr. Charles Benson, who was the first student to register at the College in 1967. Following graduation, he was employed at the College in various positions including College Registrar and College Bursar. He also continued his studies and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Queen’s University. “This education is a gift you will be unwrapping for the rest of your life,” he said.
He spoke of the opportunities he had to learn about life, the world, and himself during his three years of study at Loyalist. “This place is very meaningful for me, not just because of my own history, but for what it continues to do for hundreds of students every year, like my son and daughter-in-law who are both Loyalist graduates.”
An active volunteer in the community, Mr. Benson has been a member of the Board for the Belleville Volunteer Centre and a founding member of Belleville Community Policing. He has served on the Board of Directors for Quinte Destinations for Youth and for the First Adventure Child Development Centre. In 2001, he was appointed to the International Board of Directors for the International United Nations Pilgrimage for Youth local program, and was installed as the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Rebekahs (IOOF) Grand Master for Ontario in May 2008.
Charles Benson underwent a kidney transplant earlier this year, and he recalled the lapel pin worn during his illness and treatment which read, ‘Believe’. “I have learned to believe in my dreams and to pursue them. I would recommend that you do the same,” he advised the graduates in the audience.
Following his address, Mr. Benson was presented with an honorary diploma by Stuart Wright, Chair of the Loyalist College Board of Governors.
Stuart Wright, (left) Chair of the Board of Governors and Guest Speaker Charles Benson
Media Contact: Edina Cappuccitti, College Advancement & External Relations, Loyalist College, (613) 969-1913, ext. 2392; ecappuccitti@loyalistc.on.ca