The graduation celebration at UNBC's Northwest campus marked not only an academic milestone for the graduates, but a moment to reflect on community, resilience and purpose - recurring themes echoed throughout the ceremony.
The graduating Class of 2025 from the Northern Collaborative Baccalaureate Nursing Program at UNBC's Northwest campus.
This year, 30 students crossed the stage at the R.E.M. Lee Theatre in Terrace: 17 earning their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees through the Northern Collaborative Baccalaureate Nursing Program (NCBNP) and 13 completing their Bachelor of Education degrees.
UNBC Nursing alum Michael Provost, who graduated with a BScN in 2012, reminded the graduating class that community extends beyond geography it's defined by the people and stories that shape it. He urged the graduates to view themselves as part of a growing network of over 17,000 UNBC alumni dedicated to service, leadership and mutual support, encouraging them to stay connected and contribute to their communities in meaningful ways.
Chair of UNBC's School of Nursing, Dr. Catharine Schiller, acknowledged the emotions graduates may be feeling as they step into the professional world. She reminded them that while they may wonder if they're ready for the responsibilities of caring for a patient or stepping into a classroom, the knowledge and skills they've acquired over the past four years have prepared them. "I want to welcome my newest nurse colleagues to the profession," Schiller told those gathered. "The future of our health care system is in incredible hands with this group of graduates."
That confidence was echoed by Amy Klepetar, Senior Lab Instructor for the School of Nursing at the Northwest campus. Reflecting on how this group began their studies during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, she praised their determination and strength in the face of adversity. As the cohort progressed, Klepetar noted a visible transformation a shift from student to nurse particularly during community practicums where students tackled challenges with creativity and offered real-world solutions. She described the graduates as both leaders and change-makers.
Class speaker for the Nursing graduates, Trinity Scott reminded her classmates that their chosen profession is one of the most demanding and deeply meaningful: supporting people at their most vulnerable. She called the day a celebration not just of academic achievement, but of the community that upheld them.
Growing up in Terrace, choosing the NCBNP allowed Scott to remain surrounded by her support system - her partner, family and friends - during the program. She is set to begin her career at Ksyen Regional Hospital in August in the Psychiatry unit.
Nursing graduate Jean-Francois Lambert was recognized with the annual NCBNP Student Award for Clinical and Academic Achievement.
The spirit of dedication and service was equally evident among the Education graduates, whose faculty highlighted the profound impact teachers have on their communities.
"Teaching is one of the most noble, demanding and profoundly important professions in society," said School of Education Assistant Professor Dr. David Litz. Acknowledging this challenging time filled with tension and possibilities, he encouraged the graduates to be fiercely present for their students, to embrace uncertainty with courage and to teach with hope.
Class speaker Terri Wilkinson had been working in Terrace as an Education Assistant and chose UNBC because she wanted to take the next step in her career. As a mother to two children, the Bachelor of Education program offered through UNBC's Northwest campus allowed her to grow professionally without leaving her community.
During her speech, she reflected on the milestones shared with her classmates over the course of their studies - from births and engagements to personal losses and triumphs that have led to connections beyond learning.
"We're a community," she told the graduating Class of 2025. "We're the future teachers of the north. We have made it."
For these graduates, the next chapter begins not just with degrees in hand, but with a strong sense of purpose, community and commitment to uplifting others.
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