A sea of students await their diplomas at Medicine Hat College's Friday afternoon convocation ceremony.--NEWS PHOTO JEREMY APPEL
jappel@medicinehatnews.com@MHNJeremyAppel
A sea of students in their caps and gowns gathered in the Medicine Hat College gymnasium, along with family and faculty, to celebrate their graduation Friday.
The festivities were divided into a morning and afternoon ceremony, both of which were emceed by Terry Chapman, MHC’s interim vice president, academic, and included greetings from Graham Kelly, the chair of MHC’s board of governors, Brooks-Medicine Hat MLA Michaela Glasgo, Deputy Mayor Phil Turnbull and recently-installed president and CEO of the college Kevin Shufflebotham.
Near the beginning of her remarks, Chapman cracked a joke, quoting Charles Dickens, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times” before bringing out a Toronto Raptors shirt to demonstrate the best times and a Saskatchewan Roughriders shirt for the worst.
The Raptors, of course, won their first NBA Championship the night before, setting a particularly cheerful mood for the already joyous occasion.
In his remarks, Kelly said he has confidence in this cohort’s ability to face its unique generational challenges head on.
“One of the advantages of age is perspective. My nearly-50 years in education tell me, this is the toughest time ever to be a student. So much has changed so rapidly. No generation of students has had to meet the challenges that you face,” he said.
“Now is the time to take what you have learned and harness it to your own distinctive traits.”
Turnbull, who was representing city council in lieu of Mayor Ted Clugston, spoke to a similar theme of the graduates thriving in a rapidly-changing world.
“Graduates, in a few moments you’re going to be walking up on this stage, and you’re going to get your diplomas and your degrees, but I think you’re going to get something else. You’re going to get a key – a key that will open the doors of opportunity for you and your careers and professions,” said Turnbull.
“I urge you, please, do not stop learning. The world that you’re in today is changing at such a fast pace that those who are willing to adapt will soar.”
Shufflebotham encouraged the graduating students to embrace the challenges ahead and follow their passions.
“Only you can determine where you go from here,” he said. “Don’t leave your future to chance, be open to new opportunities, and finally, don’t be afraid to fail, or even to start over. Being courageous is a choice, and tremendous learning and growth can come from that failure. Life is too short not to do what you love.”
