More than a thousand College of New Caledonia (CNC) students will be eligible to graduate in 2022, marking one of the largest graduating classes ever.
The 2022 grads will be joined by grads from the two previous years for the college’s first in-person convocation ceremonies since 2019.
CNC’s Quesnel convocation on Thursday June 2nd will bring graduates from 2020, 2021, and 2022 together in celebration.
CNC will host two ceremonies in Prince George on June 4 at the CN Centre. The Ceremony of Graduation on Saturday morning will be for the classes of 2020 and 2021. CNC offered previous graduates the opportunity to return for recognition of their accomplishments.
At the 2022 Convocation on Saturday afternoon, graduates from this year will cross the stage and receive their credential.
“Graduation and the related convocation ceremony are the highlight of the academic year for all of us working in post-secondary education,” said CNC President and CEO Dr. Dennis Johnson. “Education is a journey and celebrating milestones is a big part of that. We’re pleased to honour our 2022 grads this year and also offer that experience to the classes of 2020 and 2021.”
CNC will feature several students telling the stories of their personal education journeys. It was eight years ago when Savannah Ball first walked across the stage to receive her one-year Dental Assistant Certificate at CNC. When it was done, she remembered telling herself that was it. She would never return to school again. What she didn’t expect, however, was how much both she and her passion for the field of dentistry would continue to grow.
In 2020, Ball decided to return to CNC to complete a two-year Dental Hygiene Diploma. Now, she is not only ready to walk across the stage for a second time but will address the graduating class of 2022 at the ceremony in Prince George.
“The opportunities and experience that CNC has given me over the past few years have been very impactful on my life,” she said. “I’m very honoured to address the graduating class of 2022 and am looking forward to celebrating with everyone at convocation.”
While sitting at her desk job one afternoon, Chailee Normandin came to the realization that she wanted to make a change to her life’s work.
She decided to volunteer with the local women’s resource centre in Quesnel and found she greatly enjoyed it. From there, she researched the social service worker program at CNC’s Quesnel campus and decided to apply.
Now, Normandin will address her graduating class in Quesnel before walking across the stage to accept her diploma.
“These last two years have been an amazing experience from learning the importance of self-care and navigating through many online classes,” she said. “We were blessed with amazing instructors who were willing and available to help assist students with technical issues, when they themselves were going through some of the same challenges with regards to online learning. I’m thankful for all the support and look forward to what the future has to offer.”
Quesnel Convocation – June 2 at 11:30 a.m. – CNC Quesnel campus, 100 Campus Way
Prince George Ceremony of Graduation – June 4 at 10 a.m. – CN Centre, 2187 Ospika Boulevard
Prince George Convocation – June 4 at 2 p.m. – CN Centre, 2187 Ospika Boulevard