Assiniboine celebrates more than 60 graduates in Dauphin

Assiniboine Community College is celebrating 67 graduates from nine certificate, diploma and advanced diploma programs from the college’s Parkland campus.

“Today we celebrate the culmination of the hard work of the past months and years and look to the beginning of the next chapter for our graduates,” said Mark Frison, Assiniboine President. “It’s a significant achievement and each of the students crossing the stage today, along with their families and communities, should be very proud.”

“I am thrilled to be here, at my first Assiniboine graduation ceremony celebrating these graduates of the Parkland campus,” said Director, Parkland Campus, Carol Stewart. “It’s our pleasure to provide training opportunities to this community and this region, and I’m overjoyed today to recognize the successes of those whose determination and effort have brought them here. I can’t wait to see what is next for these bright graduates.”

Praise Joseph is a Practical Nursing graduate who will serve as valedictorian. He is also the recipient of the Governor General’s Medal for the Parkland campus, as awarded by the Province of Manitoba, which goes to the student who has achieved the highest overall average in a diploma program.

“Being elected valedictorian to represent my graduating class is an incredible honour that I will cherish for a lifetime,” said Joseph. “As I stand before my classmates and their loved ones, I will reflect on the memories we have created and the challenges we have overcome. Throughout my time at college, I have been involved with the professional suitability committee for nursing. These experiences have taught me the value of collaboration and the importance of giving back. I am grateful for the opportunities that this college has provided, and I am excited to see what the future holds for each one of us.”

The other valedictorian for the Parkland ceremony, Carla Prokopchuk, is also graduating from the Practical Nursing program. She is a single mom to her son, and has worked hard to complete her education.

“I’m very honoured to be addressing the graduating class for our convocation. It was a bit of a surprise, honestly, but is a role that I’m proud to share with my classmate, Praise. I hope to capture our experiences and bid a heartfelt inspirational final farewell to all the students, staff, and school.”

The college will host its final and largest graduation ceremony of the year in Brandon next week, rounding out the celebration of a record number of more than 1,550 graduates this academic year.

Assiniboine’s most recent Graduate Satisfaction and Employment Survey shows that 94 per cent of graduates have jobs within nine months of completing their studies and make on average a gross annual salary of $46,800, with 92 per cent remaining in Manitoba.

Today’s ceremony in Dauphin begins at 2:00 p.m. at the Parkland Recreation Complex - CUP in Dauphin, Manitoba. Event details are available at assiniboine.net/grad.