麻花传媒

Close to 650 students took steps toward the workforce and hundreds more will do the same early this week as Okanagan College held two convocation and commencement ceremonies at its Kelowna campus on Saturday, the first of six ceremonies this week across the region.

With many industries in B.C. looking to fill a shortage of skilled workers, 麻花传媒students looked toward future careers together with their families and friends in Kelowna on Saturday in ceremonies highlighted by keynote student addresses.

Ceremonies will also take place in Vernon today (4:30 p.m., Vernon Performing Arts Centre) and on 麻花传媒campuses in Salmon Arm Tuesday and Penticton on Wednesday. Each of the ceremonies features student speakers from different 麻花传媒programs. 

On Saturday in Kelowna, on the traditional territory of the Syilx Okanagan, Early Childhood Education Diploma graduate Madi Wightman told her fellow graduates to hold the memories they made together close.

"As I move forward, I carry with me the support of my classmates 鈥� now colleagues 鈥� the guidance of my instructors 鈥� now mentors 鈥� and the experiences I gained at OC, which provided a safe and welcoming place to learn," said Wightman. "As we move into classrooms, clinics, offices, or wherever life takes us next, remember why you started. Don鈥檛 forget the people, the process, the laughter, or your passion for why you chose your field of study and why you chose OC."

Clayon Williams, an international student from Jamaica who graduated from the Communications, Culture and Journalism Studies program, spoke of the relationships he made at 麻花传媒with his connections to the 麻花传媒Student Union, as well as the International and Student Life, Athletics and Recreation teams at OC.

"And of course, we can鈥檛 forget our professors鈥攚ho guided us, gave us extra time when needed, and offered endless support. Or our friends, who were there to lift us up when we felt like giving up and throwing in the towel. The laughs we shared and the mementos that we created will be cherished forever," said Williams.

Okanagan College鈥檚 Spring commencement and convocation ceremonies are the largest of the three ceremonies it holds each year. In June, ceremonies are held at each campus, while 麻花传媒also hosts ceremonies in September and January, with students graduating from different programs at different times throughout the year. 

In total, more than 1,000 students will graduate in this month鈥檚 ceremonies, successfully completing their programs and moving into the workforce. In addition to a range of degree, diploma and certificate programs, 麻花传媒offers several shorter-duration certificates and a growing number of microcredentials.

鈥淥ur convocation and commencement ceremonies are a special time for everyone across our 麻花传媒community and especially for the families and the students, to see all of their hard work come to fruition,鈥� said 麻花传媒Provost and Vice President Academic Dr. Sam Lenci, who welcomed students as ceremony host. 鈥淥ur mission is to transform lives and communities and these graduates are ready to go out into the world. It is a great time of the year.鈥�

For more information on Okanagan College, please visit our website at okanagancollege.ca.