Niagara skilled trades leader Chuck McShane to receive honorary diploma

Niagara College will shine a spotlight on almost 2,000 new graduates and a community leader dedicated to promoting the skilled trades at its upcoming Fall Convocation ceremonies.

Four ceremonies will be held over two days October 24-25 at the Welland Campus making it the College’s largest Fall Convocation to date. This follows a record number of 5,500 graduates celebrated at the College’s Spring 2024 Convocation in June.

The fall ceremonies will kick off on October 24 with special honours for Chuck McShane, CEO of the Niagara Home Builders’ Association. The Niagara-on-the-Lake resident will be presented with an Honorary Diploma in Skilled Trades during the morning ceremony (10 a.m.), in recognition of his industry leadership, his dedication to promoting the skilled trades, and his support for student learning at the College.

“We are thrilled to celebrate almost 2,000 new graduates this fall who have become part of our College’s legacy of student success. We take great pride in their accomplishments,” said NC President Sean Kennedy. “We are also looking forward to recognizing the contributions of our valued community supporter, Chuck McShane, who’s been a champion for the skilled trades in Niagara and instrumental to building new opportunities for students here at Niagara College.”

“This is one of the most humbling experiences that has happened to me in my lifetime, and I am so grateful to be honoured in this way,” said McShane. “There are many people in my life that continue to support and mentor me and this accolade must be shared with them; My family, especially my wife of 33 years, my colleagues and friends. Without this village of amazing individuals, this would have not been possible.

“Over the last several years, I have been thrilled to see the uptake of interest our youth has expressed in the skilled trades. Niagara College has done a remarkable job of expanding their trades programs, and to be a part of that after 25 years of advocacy in the trades gives me high hopes for the future of this industry.”

The first day of Fall Convocation will honour graduating students in various programs within the College’s schools of Trades, Allied Health, Media, and Technology during the morning ceremony (10 a.m.); and programs within the schools of Business and Management; Environment and Horticulture; Culinary Arts; Hospitality and Tourism; and Wine, Beer and Spirits during the afternoon ceremony (3 p.m.).

On Friday, October 25, ceremonies will continue with graduates from the schools of Business and Management, and Academic and Liberal Studies during the morning ceremony (10 a.m.); and schools of Community Services, Justice and Fitness, and Nursing and PSW during the afternoon ceremony (3 p.m.).

NC hosts convocation ceremonies during its Spring and Fall terms every year. The College’s alumni community is currently more than 120,000 – and growing.

Fall 2024 Convocation ceremonies will be held in person at the Welland Campus (Simplii Financial Athletic Centre). Graduates and their families will also have the option to celebrate virtually as ceremonies may be viewed via livestream or may be watched later via the convocation website at niagaracollege.ca/convocation.

For more information about Fall 2024 Convocation, including ceremony schedules, visit niagaracollege.ca/convocation.

Niagara College has a full-time enrolment of more than 10,000 students from over 95 countries, who study in 130 diploma, certificate and bachelor degree programs at specialized campuses in Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Niagara College is also involved in educational projects and partnerships around the world and is consistently ranked among Canada’s top 10 colleges for research funding. Learn more at niagaracollege.ca.