Final graduation

Despite Friday’s Confederation College convocation ceremonies being her last as college president, Pat Lang’s focus remained on the students.

It’s an honour to be able to celebrate with the students, she said before Friday’s afternoon ceremony at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium.

“It’s an opportunity to reflect on all of the things I’ve learned from students over the years, the kinds of challenges they face,” she said. “They go on to become these successful citizens who are making a difference in the world. That really for me is what convocation is about – seeing the students grow and develop and to see their sense of pride as they walk across the stage.”

Graduation is the day the college community waits for all year; Lang knows how important it is to the students and their family and friends.

She added aside from graduation, the first day of school is equally as special.

“They come in and they’re anxious and they can’t figure out where their classrooms are and they’re nervous,” she said. “Then they go on and we see them cross the stage with this air of confidence.”

June 30 is Lang’s last day as president and while Jim Madder will be stepping into the president’s seat, board of governors chairwoman Marilyn Gouthro said Friday was a bittersweet day.

“We hold (Lang) in very high affection and in very deep respect,” she said. “I know this is a day that’s very emotional for her as it is for us, but she goes out leaving a very, very strong college and that’s a good story.”

Gouthro said one of Lang’s greatest achievements was bringing the college to the community.
“That’s been a huge gift; she has raised the profile of this college,” she said.

 “She has been the architect of major building, a very significant program renewal across her tenure. The other thing she’s done is really linked the region with this college in a very vibrant way.”