THUNDER BAY -- In what many considered to be an extremely challenging year, 1,400 proud Confederation College graduates defied it by walking across the stage to accept their diploma.
Graduates from the School of Heath and Community Services, the School of Aviation, Engineering Technology and Trades, the School of Business, Hospitality and Media Arts helped the college exceed an important milestone of 50,000 alumni at this year’s 50th convocation ceremony.
To mark the special occasion, the college selected international student Vignesh Viswanathan as the honorary 50,000th student in this year’s ceremony.
“What? Me?” Viswanathan said when he was told he would be receiving the honour.
“It was so much excitement. I was told it was because of my academics, leadership and diversity, and I was truly honoured to be represented.”
Viswanathan is an international student who came from India in 2016. After graduating from the dental assisting program last year, he earned a certificate for the healthcare professionals program on Friday. He is also the newly elected student union president.
“I came here and didn’t know anyone. There was actually a family who was waiting for another student who helped me move into residence,” Viswanathan said. “At that moment I felt like I was at home.”
President Jim Madder has called Confederation College his home for seven years, but held his final convocation ceremony on Friday, as he will retire at the end of the year.
He said although this year’s fall strike made things difficult, it made the end of the year ceremony all the more rewarding.
“Very challenging for sure,” Madder said. “We did lose more students I would have thought in the fall, but those who stayed us were determined.”
The drop-off from last year’s graduates was about 100 students.
Judy Brekveld, who graduated from practical nursing, exemplified the determination.
Brekveld formerly studied at Lakehead but had to leave the school after being diagnosed with lupus, epilepsy, and vasculitis.
During her time at the hospital, she interacted with Confederation College student nurses who were assisting in her treatment, and eventually decided to join them once she returned to better health.
“I loved their enthusiasm, and they didn’t judge me for my diagnoses.”
Brekveld said she was filled with pride walking across the stage.
“I feel empowered, and I hope others feel the same way,” she said. “I didn’t let my diagnosis shape the path for me.”
