Assiniboine celebrates record 1,570 graduates

Assiniboine Community College will see a record of more than 1,570 graduates this academic year, with approximately 1,248 graduates recognized at ceremonies this month. Today in Brandon, the college will celebrate graduates from 77 certificate, diploma, apprenticeship and post-graduate diploma programs at the college’s largest ceremonies of the year.

“Graduation day is a momentous occasion where we all come together to celebrate the successes of our students, to thank those who helped to get them across the stage, and on to commencing their careers,” said Assiniboine President Mark Frison. “To pursue and complete an education journey takes a significant effort from all involved; the students, their families, and the faculty and employees who help them along the way. Today, we celebrate the students, their success to date and the look to their futures.”

Valedictorian for one of the Brandon ceremonies, Brittany Blair, is graduating from the Business Administration diploma program and has been engaged in many facets of college life, including multiple fundraising and student engagement activities—competing in the Design Thinking Challenge, mentoring first year students, all on top of being busy business owner and mom of two.

As a mature student returning to school after many years, I had some doubts over whether I would fit in and find some common ground with the average younger student, or whether I would do well. I was pleasantly surprised to learn how welcoming Assiniboine has been, both from faculty and my peers of all different ages, backgrounds, and ethnicities.

“I also surprised myself with what I felt I could achieve, both academically and by being able to juggle a hectic schedule of running a business and parenting two kids, while still being involved on campus with the Students' Association and competing in the Design Thinking Challenge. It really means a lot to me to be chosen to represent the graduating class. I hope to inspire other students to follow their dreams, regardless of their age or how challenging it can be."

Today’s ceremonies in Brandon recognize graduates completing programs at the college’s Victoria Avenue East and North Hill campuses in Brandon, Winnipeg campus, Portage la Prairie campus, various community sites, and those enrolled in distance education. The graduation ceremony for Parkland campus was held last week.

Diorella Inocentes was also a valedictorian at one of today’s ceremonies. She’s a graduate of Practical Nursing program at the Winnipeg campus and was the Winnipeg campus representative for the Students’ Association.

“One of the quotes from one of my favourite shows growing up said, ‘Failing does not give you a reason to give up, as long as you believe’. Failing is a part of life, growth and victory. Failure will always be a stepping stone to every success,” said Inocentes.

It is fulfilling that, as valedictorian, I would be able to relay the importance of our journey, the steps we took to accomplish our task, and the struggles we had to overcome to be successful at ACC. It is my pride and joy that I could represent these values for my fellow students.

Each year, the Province of Manitoba awards a Governor General’s Medal to the student who has achieved the highest overall average in a diploma program. This year’s recipient for Brandon was Brook Olsen, a graduate of the Social Service program, and from our Winnipeg campus, Sydney Southall, a graduate of the Practical Nursing program.

The province also awards two Lieutenant Governor’s Silver Medals to students who have achieved outstanding academic performance and contributed in significant ways to the college and their community. This year’s recipients are Megan Beswitherick, a Business Administration – Marketing graduate and Jenna Rystephanuk, a graduate from the Agribusiness program.

Today’s event also officially recognized Honorary Diploma recipients, Karen and Rick Chrest, announced in May.

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, with 92 per cent remaining in Manitoba