Grad time at NWCC

Northwest Community College celebrated another year of achievement at the Prince Rupert campus on Friday, with 117 students attending their convocation ceremonies.

A long list of local luminaries took part in the event, offering congratulations, wisdom and advice to the graduating class of 2007.

The Daily News provided a full report on the day’s events as part of the front page of Tuesday’s paper.

HATS OFF TO GRADS AS COLLEGE HELPS THEM MAKE THE GRADE
Students are urged to use their education and skills to help build region as opportunities boom
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Pages one and five

One hundred and 17 students finished one chapter of their lives and entered another during the Northwest Community College (NWCC) Convocation Friday afternoon.

And hopefully, they will choose to do that in the Northwest, said Jeff Burghardt, the keynote speaker at Friday’s ceremony.

“I want to offer you a business perspective that’s important to consider as you decide what your opportunities will be,” said Burghardt, in his address to the platform of students.

“Prince Rupert and the Northwest are poised to develop with new import activity around the port. The opportunities will come in the many small businesses that develop around the import and export.”

He encouraged students to use their many varied skills to build a future near to their family and friends and contribute to building the Northwest.

Burghardt has been traveling in recent months, collecting information on trade policies as part of his work with a committee for the Minister of International Trade.

“I can tell you from all points of the world, it surprises me how aware they are of Prince Rupert, the Northwest and the northwest corridor, he said.

“People of all parts of the world are looking for something better in terms of service in North America and people believe something new operated by the people who live here can contribute to that success of business around the world.”

He said the opportunities will come in all fields, and the community needs these graduates to give back by building their futures here.

“The North needs you folks, we really do,” he said.

“We can’t be successful unless you choose to be part of our region for a long period of time.”

Carrie Clifton, who presented the student address, said they could not have achieved their goals without the support of the faculty and staff.

Other dignitaries included: Stephanie Forsyth, NWCC president; Deb Stava, NWCC campus manager; Prince Rupert Mayor Herb Pond; North Coast MLA Gary Coons; Penny Denton, chair of the college’s board of governors; Clarence Nelson Snr. of the Allied Tsimshian Tribes; Irene Seguin, vice chair of the NWCC First Nations College and the Sm’Haalyt Dancers.

All speakers passed on their good wishes for the future of the graduates.

The Convocation Ceremony also included the presentation of several awards.

The John Hiom Academic Achievement Award, given to an outstanding student going on to a career in the field of science, went to Marlin Smyth, who was graduating with his Associate Degree in Science.

Smyth also won the Governor General’s Award for outstanding academic achievement.

The Jeff Marvin Memorial Award, given to a First Nations student who shows potential to become a future leader, went to Carrie Clifton, who was graduating with her Associate Degree in Arts.

The John Wood Memorial Award went to Robert Russ, a student who moved from Haida Gwaii to attend the college.

Rising Stars Awards, presented by the Prince Rupert and District Chamber of Commerce and Northwest Community College, for students who showed excellence during their interaction with the business community went to Frances Eli, Hannah Fromm and to Russelle Howes.

And the Northern Savings Credit Union Made the Northwest Award went to Ashley McCrea, who has just completed her first year in Applied Coastal Ecology and who will be going on to her second year.