After a year like no other, graduating students from Niagara College's Class of 2021 are poised begin the next phase of their lives in a world forever changed from the impacts of a global pandemic -but, this week, they celebrate.
The College kicked off its five-day Virtual Convocation week on June 21, by shining the spotlight on 800 new graduates from its schools of Business and Management, and Hospitality, Tourism and Sport. Two highly interactive virtual ceremonies were broadcast live from NC's Welland Campus - each celebrating different academic areas of study - thanks to a crew of students and staff from the College's Broadcasting - Radio, Television and Film program working behind the scenes to bring the livestream into the homes of viewers around the world. The first day's virtual events received more than 4,115 live views.
Special guest speaker Sarah Blackwood - Canadian singer/songwriter/musician from Juno-award-winning band Walk Off the Earth - addressed graduates with an inspiring speech, including a powerful wake-up call that the road of life is constantly changing.
"Welcome to the rest of life. It doesn't matter when or where you are, your journey will always be unpredictable," said Blackwood, who was honoured with an honorary diploma in Media Studies. "There's no big light at the end of the tunnel it's ever-changing. And the first thing I suggest for all of you is to get comfortable with uncertainty and get excited about not knowing exactly where you go from here. Get comfy living with a giant question mark over your head at all times."
Blackwood encouraged them to "say yes to everything," to focus on positivity and their own evolution.
For more information
300 Woodlawn Road, P.O.Box 1005
Welland Ontario
Canada L3C 7L3
www.niagaracollege.ca
