Tuesday June 16, 2020 ~ VICTORIA, BC
by Mary Brooke, editor ~ West Shore Voice News
Camosun College is celebrating the accomplishments of its spring 2020 graduates and major award recipients with a special online convocation hub at camosun.ca/grad during what would have been Grad Week, June 15-19.
More than 3,000 students are graduating from Camosun this spring, having successfully completed their certificate, diploma, bachelor degree and post-degree diploma programs in Indigenous Education, Arts and Science, Business, Health and Human Services, Trades, Technologies, Sport Education, as well as Adult Upgrading and English Language Development (Access).
Quotes from Camosun leadership:
“Congratulations to the extraordinary Class of 2020,” says Camosun President Sherri Bell. “This year’s graduates have endured exceptional obstacles to successfully complete their studies. Graduation is an important life milestone; it’s the culmination of everything our students have accomplished throughout their educational journey. I wish I could personally congratulate every new graduate as they walk across our stage, but until then, we will celebrate their achievements virtually.”
“Thank you to the faculty and staff who have helped us along the way to reach our final destination no matter how bumpy the road to success was,” says Jodi-lynn Shambrook, a student graduating from the Business Administration, Marketing program. “The biggest struggle for me was not being able to say goodbye to my professors and classmates. I’m sure other Camosun grads feel the same way, as we’ve spent the past few years making Camosun our second home.”
“On behalf of the Camosun College Student Society, we would like to congratulate our graduating members for completing this milestone achievement,” says Quinn Cunningham, External Executive Camosun College Student Society. “Despite the barriers they experienced personally, and the barriers we all faced this year, our graduates held strong and finished this marathon.”
“The Student Society works to ensure every student finds success in their educational journey, and it is our hope that we were able to support you as well,” adds Cunningham. “Be it Camfest, De-Stressfest, or a campus club, it was our wholehearted effort to create a connection for you here in our community. We are grateful to have had you as a member and are proud to see you elevated into our alumni community. We recognize the dedication it took to get this far, and this demonstrates that success will be in your future.”
Camosun Graduation 2020 video:
Camosun’s online celebration at camosun.ca/grad is dedicated to all students graduating from the college this spring and summer. The online hub features a special Graduation 2020 video with messages from current grads, and well-wishes from the college community and alumni. New grads can also access messages from their deans and instructors, while downloading a digital alumni pin to post on their social media feeds.
Award winners to be announced this week:
Camosun’s major award winners, including the recipients of the B.C. Lieutenant Governors Medal for Inclusion, Democracy and Reconciliation, as well as the college’s Promising and Distinguished Alumni Awards, will also be announced during Grad Week.
Wide range of graduate specialties:
“At Camosun, we educate accountants, carpenters, mechanical engineers and chefs,” adds President Bell. “We train nurses, early childhood educators, artists, environmental technologists and dental hygienists, among others. And I am confident that this year’s graduates are ready. Ready with the knowledge, technical skills and critical thinking capabilities that our world needs as it, and the future of work, continues to transform at a rapid pace.”
Certificates, diplomas and degrees by postal mail:
Camosun 2020 graduates will receive their certificates, diplomas and degrees by mail this summer.
Share your grad congratulations online:
Graduates, friends and family can celebrate with the Camosun community at camosun.ca/grad and share congratulatory messages via the college’s Facebook and Instagram sites using #camosungrad2020 .
There is an online gift shop for buying various Camosun grad momentos.
About Camosun College:
Camosun College is one of the largest colleges in British Columbia with campuses located on the Traditional Territories of the Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆpeoples. Established in 1971, the college serves 19,000 learners a year in certificate, diploma, bachelor’s degree, post-degree diploma and continuing education programs. They operate two physical campus – Lansdowne and Interurban. Studies this fall will continue during the COVID-19 pandemic as a hybrid of on-campus and online.