Thursday June 9, 2022 | SAANICH, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
The largest convocation ceremony in the history of Camosun College will celebrate the achievements of graduates from the classes of 2020, 2021 and 2022.
“Convocation is often the highlight of the academic year and the opportunity for students to celebrate their achievements with family, friends and champions,” says Lane Trotter, President of Camosun College.
“Congratulations to all of the graduates on your incredible achievements and a heartfelt thank you to all of the faculty and staff who have supported students throughout the year and made convocation possible,” said Trotter, who became president of the dynamic college at the start of this year.
COVID backlog bumps up the numbers:
Camosun usually graduates more than 3,000 students every year from over 160 programs. Normally, about a third of graduates attend convocation but this year the college expects up to 1,500 students will cross the convocation stage.
Convocation ceremonies at Camosun in 2020 and 2021 were put on hold due to COVID-19 and a virtual ceremony took place in June 2021.
Some students may have slowed down their studies during COVID, ultimately producing a higher number of graduates this year. That trend could carry over into 2023 grad as well.
And some students who completed their programs during the COVID years are coming back for the in-person experience.
Virtual not the same:
“It was disappointing that there was no physical convocation ceremony and a virtual ceremony wasn’t quite the same,” says Jasey Philip who graduated in 2021 with a Post-Degree Diploma – Business Administration, Marketing, and plans to attend her convocation ceremony this year with family and friends.
“I am super excited to be able to cross the stage and celebrate all of our achievements.”
Six ceremonies:
Six convocation ceremonies will take place over three days – June 14, 15 and 16 – at Camosun’s Interurban campus compared to the usual four ceremonies over two days.
Graduates will join more than 68,000 Camosun alumni on Vancouver Island and around the world.
Two campuses:
Camosun College has two campuses in Saanich, on the Traditional Territories of the Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ people. Established in 1971, the college serves thousands of learners a year in over 160 certificate, diploma, bachelor’s degree, post-degree diploma, and professional studies and industry training programs.
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