Lethbridge College is ready to celebrate its graduates with an exciting online Convocation package. Students graduating will be able to celebrate safely at home by going to Lethbridge College’s website and social media channels on May 28 to view videos and messages that commend their achievements during their time as Lethbridge College students.
The college had initially planned a drive-thru Convocation ceremony but has switched its plans due to the increase in COVID-19 cases in southern Alberta and enhanced provincial public health measures. The enhanced measures also necessitated cancelling the annual Honour Night Festivities for Indigenous graduates.
“This year’s graduates are a unique class, the only class to have ever completed the bulk of your program in the midst of a global pandemic,” says Dr. Paula Burns, Lethbridge College President and CEO. “In addition to building skills in their programs, they have learned adaptability and resilience skills that will last a lifetime. We look forward to fully celebrating our graduates in a safe and interactive manner.”
For the first time, Lethbridge College is shifting from holding one annual April convocation ceremony immediately after exams to two true graduation ceremonies where students receive their official parchments once all final marks have been calculated – one in late May and one in October.
The college will honour more than 1,100 graduates during its Spring Convocation. Of those students, 312 received an honours graduation statement on their credential, including 22 who earned honours with great distinction. The online celebration will also honour the college’s first Valedictorian, Ashley Pierson; the college’s Governor General Award recipient, Harrison Hadford from the Civil Engineering Technology program; and The Honourable Murray Sinclair, who will receive an honorary degree.
“We are committed to celebrating all of our graduates and their achievements,” says Marko Hilgersom, Lethbridge College Registrar. “This online ceremony will mark this moment in our students lives and celebrate their achievements as they complete their Lethbridge College journey and get ready to take the step towards whatever comes next in their lives.”
Graduates and their families can learn more about the 2021 online Spring Convocation ceremony as it gets closer to May 28 at lethpolytech.ca/convocation.