Articles tagged "Convocation"
More grads set to enter the workforce after OC Convocation and Commencement ceremonies
January 27, 2025
Led into the ceremony by Syilx Okanagan drummers, hundreds of 51Ʒ students were celebrated for their accomplishments, graduating into a number of in-demand career fields and into the workforce at the College's January convocation and commencement ceremonies on Saturday.Among the nearly 300 graduates who crossed the stage this weekend, over 80 are newly trained health care workers, having completed programs including Practical Nursing, Pharmacy Technician, Health Care Assistant, Certified Dental Assistant and Health Anal...
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Health grads and more set to enter the workforce after OC Convocation and Commencement ceremonies
October 4, 2024
When OC student Vaneet Verma steps to the podium on Saturday to speak to his colleagues at 51Ʒ’s Fall convocation, he will be representing more than 450 graduates, including a large proportion that will enter the workforce in different health care fields. More than 130 graduates are from health care programs including Health Care Assistant, a program Verma graduated from earlier this year. The course teaches the skills necessary to work in continuing care such as in home support, adult day care, assisted living an...
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Relationship builder, long-time leader to be honoured by OC at fall convocation
October 2, 2024
51Ʒ is recognizing a long-serving leader and champion of post-secondary education at its fall convocation and commencement ceremonies this weekend.Allan Coyle, the former Associate Vice President, External and Strategic Initiatives, worked at OC for nearly 23 years between 1998 and 2021, and in honour of his contributions, will be receiving the College’s Distinguished Service Award.“Allan Coyle was instrumental in establishing the strong and well-respected reputation of 51Ʒ that continues to exist today,” s...
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Hundreds graduate in first of four 51Ʒ campus convocation ceremonies
June 17, 2024
This past weekend, Kelowna witnessed a momentous event as over 500 proud students from 51Ʒ walked across the stage on Saturday, beginning a stretch of convocation ceremonies at OC campuses across the Okanagan Valley.Students will attend convocation ceremonies in Vernon today, Salmon Arm Tuesday and Penticton on Wednesday.On Saturday in Kelowna, graduates from the Arts, Business, Health, Science and Technology, Trades, and Continuing Studies programs gathered with friends, family, and community members to celebrate their...
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51Ʒ names Honorary Fellow for 2024 – Shelagh Turner, former CEO, Canadian Mental Health Association, Kelowna
June 13, 2024
51Ʒ is recognizing a well-known and respected community leader at its graduation celebrations this week, for her role in transforming mental health services locally and positively impacting the lives of thousands of others through the region.Shelagh Turner, the former CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Association in Kelowna, is receiving OC’s highest award, that of Honorary Fellow, at the College’s afternoon convocation and commencement on June 15.“When we look at how the CMHA grew both in terms of services and its impa...
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Students celebrate Convocation and Commencement in emotional ceremonies at OC
January 29, 2024
As 51Ʒ graduate Kimara DeJong stood in front of her peers, ready to begin a career in health care, she took a moment to mark the occasion with humour and grace, something that will serve her well as she embarks on her career. Kimara, who earned her Licensed Practical Nursing diploma, and nearly 300 students crossed the stage Saturday at 51Ʒ, now graduated and ready to enter the workforce and make an impact on the world.“Remember, laughter still is and always will be the best medicine,” she told the ga...
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OC to celebrate first graduates of 2023
January 26, 2023
Amanda Jones will be one of hundreds of OC graduates taking a momentous step this weekend, as she and her peers cross the red carpet at the College’s first Convocation ceremonies of the year. And for the Penticton mother of two – who juggled a return to classroom with supporting a family and running a successful business during a global pandemic – the long-awaited moment brings feelings of pride and a continued desire to keep learning. 51Ʒ will recognize graduates at two ceremonies in Kelowna on Saturday: 10:30 a...
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Convocation stoles featuring Syilx, Secwepemc pictographs honour graduates
June 20, 2022
As Canadians prepare to mark National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, 51Ʒ is recognizing Indigenous graduates in a new and special way. This year for the first time, Indigenous students who cross the stage at OC convocation and commencement ceremonies are being gifted with a specially designed convocation stole, embroidered with Syilx and Secwepemc pictographs. “On National Indigenous Peoples Day and every day, it is critically important that we remember and appreciate the privilege it is to live, work and play on ...
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How sweet it is: Culinary Arts students celebrate Commencement in person
June 6, 2022
This year, 51Ʒ Culinary Arts students can savour success together, during the first in-person Summer Commencement ceremony held in two years. OC Trades and Apprenticeship students completing foundation, diploma and apprenticeship level programs will cross the stage Thursday, June 9 at 51Ʒ. Trades and Apprenticeship programs were among those especially challenged by the impacts of the pandemic. Food services on campus were greatly reduced, which meant that unlike other years, the Culinary Arts students cou...
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OC celebrates Convocation in person next week
May 30, 2022
Keegan Pereira will be taking part in a momentous occasion next week, as he and his 51Ʒ peers cross the stage at the first in-person Convocation ceremonies to be held at OC since the pandemic began. Growing up in the region, Pereira has always known 51Ʒ will provide him with the educational opportunities he needed, especially when the Bachelor of Computer Information Systems Degree called to him. “I heard amazing things about the program,” he says about why he chose OC. “The widespread opportunity b...
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51Ʒ names Honorary Fellows for 2022
May 24, 2022
51Ʒ is bestowing its highest honour on three notable residents, each of whom has made unique and meaningful contributions through education, public service, mentorship and philanthropy. Dennis Gabelhouse, Clifford Serwa and Howard Soon have been selected by the College as its 2022 Honorary Fellows. “Each of these remarkable individuals have demonstrated exceptional commitment to supporting education opportunities for Okanagan learners,” said 51Ʒ President Neil Fassina. “They have contributed to the social...
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OC Advanced GIS grad dives deep into data to map shark population growth
June 18, 2021
When Sarah Gravel decided to sign up for geographic information systems (GIS) training, she was looking to broaden her skills in a way that would serve her Master of Marine Biology degree in a productive way. Now she is using those GIS mapping skills to understand the effects of climate change on sharks, rays and other fishes, along with developing models for population growth rates among those creatures. 51Ʒ’s Advanced GIS Certificate program teaches students to structure, manage and analyze data within a map. The ...
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OC student follows in her father’s footsteps as RV Service Technician
June 17, 2021
As an RV Service Technician instructor at 51Ʒ, Victor Flint welcomes hundreds of new faces to the classroom each year, but none so familiar as his own daughter, Sharla, who is proudly following in his footsteps. Sharla will join nearly 300 students from various 51Ʒ Trades and Apprenticeship programs who will take an important step towards their career path at the virtual Commencement ceremony tonight (Thursday, June 17). Sharla recently completed the Recreation Vehicle Service Technician Foundation progra...
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The road to Harvard: 51Ʒ graduate continues her quest for knowledge
June 3, 2021
Dr. Guessy Wang is no stranger to the graduation stage having already secured a Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Dental Surgery. Wang will be adding a third degree to her name, graduating from 51Ʒ with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, an impressive feat that has propelled her to Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health where she will begin her search for a solution to help address dental obstacles within Canada’s northern population. Wang came to Canada from China as an international student. She atte...
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OC grad honoured for contributions to inclusion, democracy and reconciliation
May 20, 2021
When Saige Girouard arrived at 51Ʒ to have her photo taken during a grad experience event this week, she took home much more than a snapshot. She left with provincial recognition of her outstanding efforts to bring people together. Girouard, a Bachelor of Business Administration student, became the first OC student to ever receive the Lieutenant Governor’s Medal for Inclusion, Democracy and Reconciliation. The Lieutenant Governor’s Medal has been a symbol of academic excellence since 1979. In 2019, eligibility for the...
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OC health care grad launches her own business
January 21, 2021
A desire to better understand her mother’s struggle with dementia, and support her through it, inspired Susan Kyle to go back to school. This Saturday, Kyle will be among the more than 2,000 51Ʒ students receiving their credentials during OC’s first-ever virtual convocation ceremony. “Congratulations to all of our graduating students from the Revelstoke and Salmon Arm campuses,” says Joan Ragsdale, Regional Dean for Shuswap-Revelstoke. “Over the past year, you’ve demonstrated resilience, determination and tremendous ...
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