Grads play double duty on fourth day of Convocation

Today, over 1,000 Niagara College students can proudly call themselves alumni after graduating on the fourth day of Spring 2022 Convocation. Among them, graduates from NC’s School of Media, who were supported by their classmates from the Broadcasting – Radio, Television and Film (BRTF) program working behind-the-scenes on the ceremony livestream.

The dedicated crew, led by student Sarah Gray from St. Catharines, has been involved with all components of the livestream from prerecorded video to live ceremony shots.

“I have to say it is a nerve wracking experience knowing that these are the moments that the graduates and their families will remember forever,” said Gray, who just completed her second year of the BRTF program.

“The faculty at Niagara College have prepared us well for this. They have taught us all the components of TV production and now we’re getting a chance to put it all together in this production – all while having a blast doing it!”

By the time the College’s week-long Convocation ceremonies wrap up on Friday, the production team, some of whom played double duty as “crew member” and “graduate” on Thursday, will have broadcast eight ceremonies to viewers tuning in from around the world.

Thursday’s ceremonies drew over 1,400 viewers from over 31 countries via livestream, while over 1,200 guests cheered on more than 560 graduates in person.

Dean’s Academic Award winners

Thursday’s graduates also included two Dean’s Academic Award winners from the schools of Media, and Academic Studies.

Vancouver’s Megan Yeung thought it was too late to follow her passion for coding which she discovered, unexpectedly, in an introductory computer science class during her undergraduate studies.

Too intimidated at the time to make the switch from pharmacology and nutritional sciences, Yeung found inspiration later on to follow her passion for problem-solving.

“I was always told growing up that computer science was not a suitable field for girls, and that really deterred me from pursuing it. After graduating, my interest in tech continued to grow. I kept having thoughts of ‘what-if’ and feelings of regret for not following my heart,” said Yeung, who reflected upon how rewarding it feels to solve tough problems in her field.

Yeung achieved a final grade-point average of 96% in the School of Media’s Computer Programmer Analyst program.

“Having heard so many great things about the computer programming curriculum at Niagara College, I decided to just go for it this time, and I am so glad I did!”

Yeung is applying for graduate studies in computer science and hopes to complete a master’s degree in the field.

From the School of Academic Studies, Min Jung Kim, originally from Korea, was the Dean’s Academic Award winner for achieving a 93% average in the General Arts and Science program.

Also included in Thursday’s ceremonies were students from the School of English Language Studies, who will be prepared to explore new pathways to academic success with their newly acquired language skills, as well as students from the School of Nursing and Personal Support Worker. Additional grads from the latter division will celebrate at NC’s final Convocation ceremony Friday morning.   

“Graduands, today marks an outstanding accomplishment,” said Caroline Mann, Vice-Chair of NC’s Board of Governors.

“After a tremendous year of success at NC, you have more reasons than ever to be a proud Niagara College graduate. We look forward to seeing how you will apply your NC education to advance your chosen fields, and to make your communities a better place.”

Governor General’s Academic Medal

Niagara College’s Spring 2022 Convocation will wrap up on June 24 with a final morning ceremony. Friday’s ceremony will include the presentation of the Governor General’s Academic Medal to the College’s top student, Jonhel Ampil, a Niagara Falls resident who is originally from Philippines. Ampil completed her studies in Recreation Therapy with a 98.046% average.

For full details of NC Convocation, or to view the schedule and livestreamed ceremonies, visit niagaracollege.ca/convocation.

Niagara College offers more than 130 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Part-Time Studies courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, distilling, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca.