Class of 2024 - More than 480 Medicine Hat College students attend this year's convocation ceremony at Co-op Place.--NEWS PHOTO BRENDAN MILLER
bmiller@medicinehatnews.com
More than 480 Medicine Hat College graduates walked the stage at Co-op Place in front of family and friends Friday afternoon, the largest single convocation ceremony the college has held since moving to Co-op Place three years ago.
Students arrived to their seats to the sounds of cheers from supporters and bagpipes roaring. The ceremony began with the singing of the national anthem. An honour song was then performed by the Wild Tongues Drum Group.
College officials and dignitaries were then introduced. MP Glen Motz and Brooks Mayor John Petre provided graduates with words of inspiration, as well as Medicine Hat Coun. Darren Hirsch, who was also at the convocation ceremony celebrating his daughter’s graduation.
“In a world where it is often easy to criticize and tear down, I urge you to take the road less travelled,” said Hirsch. “Become builders. Be the architects of your future and the future of those around you.”
Nichole Neubauer was then presented with an honorary applied baccalaureate degree for her ongoing commitment to local agriculture education and food sustainability in the community, one of several recent honours, including being named ‘Newsmaker of the Year’ for 2023.
“Graduates, I’m speaking to each of you now right from my heart,” said Neubauer. “As you embark on the next journey in this amazing thing called life, I encourage you to do so with an open mind and an open heart.”
Neubauer reminded students that food universally brings people together despite wavering opinions among issues that divide society.
“Food is so much more than sustenance. It’s a celebration of our collective histories, a symbol of our diverse identities, and it’s something that we all have in common. Food can invoke a memory and it brings people together.”
Following Neubauer’s speech, more than 480 college graduates in attendance from the Schools of Arts, Science & Education, Business & Continuing Studies, Health & Community Services and Trades & Technology were individually acknowledged on stage as they donned their graduation robes.
College staff say the ceremony is a rewarding moment and many share pride as they watch their students walk the stage.
“It’s seeing them fulfil their accomplishments that they’ve worked so hard for,” says Zoe Brooks-Lacasse, marketing and advertising specialist with the college.
The venue allowed students to invite as many guests as they wished. Constantly throughout the ceremony groups of supporters could be heard cheering and clapping as each graduate received their certificate or diploma.
In the past the college had limited the number of guests a graduate could invite to two due to the lack of space in the gymnasium.
“We want everyone to be able to experience the day. It might be a grandparent or neighbour,” says Brooks-Lacasse. “Whoever helped get the person across the stage and wants to celebrate, they’re welcome to come because we have the space.”
The ceremony concluded with an Alumni Social that included light refreshments. Last year more than 370 students attended the convocation ceremony at Co-op Place.
