THUNDER BAY – Holly Tsun Haggarty finds herself in a different position than most of the other fellow Lakehead University graduates with whom she shared the stage.
Tsun Haggary, who had already completed her undergraduate degree and built a successful career and had a family, returned to school to earn her Masters of Education.
That journey was officially completed Saturday morning as she was recognized at one of Lakehead University’s convocation ceremonies, just one day after watching her daughter graduate from the school’s nursing program.
“I think events like this are rite of passage. It’s so exciting to be with all of the other graduates,” she said before the ceremony. “It just feels like a magical time and a wonderful portal you’re going through.”
In addition to completing her degree, Tsun Haggarty was also recognized for earning the Governor General’s Gold Medal for highest academic standing in a Master’s program as well as the William A. West Educational Medal.
She embraced the opportunity to enjoy her success at the same time as younger students graduating and ready to embark on their careers.
It really hit her when she watched her daughter’s ceremony.
“It just brings tears to your eyes because people are getting launched into careers in social work, as kinesiologists, as nurses and as doctors so it feels very, very poignant,” she said.
One of those students about to embark on their career was Megan Myllymaa, a concurrent education health and behavioral sciences graduate.
It still hadn’t sunk in before the ceremony that she was done.
“I’ve been looking forward to this for five years,” Myllymaa said. “It’s exciting to get to the point where I’m officially a graduate and can start the rest of my life.”
The university graduated 2,000 students this year across their 10 different faculties.
University president Brian Stevenson said no matter which faculty a student graduates from, it is a plus for the community.
“These are programs the students really need and want and the region really needs and wants,” Stevenson said. “All those students are graduating with their degrees and going into the workforce to support their community.”
