Confederation College Celebrates Record-Breaking Convocation Ceremonies

(Thunder Bay, ON – June 7, 2024) – Confederation College commemorated a historic moment, as a record 1,180 graduating students walked the stage at the Thunder Bay Convocation Ceremonies at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium. This academic year also saw a record total of 2,211 students graduating, illustrating the college's vibrant growth and the hard work of its students. Among the graduating class, 1,279 were international students. Graduates from the college's Eastern campuses also joined in the celebration.

The two ceremonies were notably marked as the last under College President Kathleen Lynch's tenure. Having led the college with visionary leadership since 2018, Lynch has been pivotal in navigating the institution through challenges and new initiatives. Confederation College extends heartfelt gratitude to President Lynch for her unwavering dedication and service to the college community.

“Convocation is a testament to the perseverance, dedication, and excellence demonstrated by our students,” said Lynch after the morning ceremony. “It's a privilege to celebrate this significant milestone with them. As they embark on new journeys, we are confident that they will continue to excel and remind them that Confederation College will always be here to support them.”

To accommodate the unprecedented number of graduates attending the ceremonies and to increase the efficiency, a new format was introduced this year, enhancing the experience for all attendees. Students were seated in the Orchestra section of the Auditorium, instead of on the stage.

Vic Evangelista was named the recipient of the Governor General’s Academic Medal. It is one of the most prestigious awards that a student in a Canadian educational institution can receive, granted to the graduate who has achieved the highest academic standing across all diploma-level programs. They are graduating with a GPA of 4.0 and a weighted average of 97.5%. The Derek and Joan Burney Award of Excellence was also awarded to Evangelista, recognizing their outstanding achievement and contribution to campus life.

An honourary diploma in the Aboriginal Community Advocacy program was presented to Leona Scanlon. Scanlon is the Head Post Secondary Counsellor for the Northern Nishnawbe Education

Council in Thunder Bay, a role she has held since 1998. She is also the chair of Confederation College’s Indigenous Education Advisory Committee, Negahneewin Council.

The ceremonies were attended by a supportive community of family, friends, faculty, and staff, all coming together to recognize the graduates' hard work and success.

This year's regional convocation ceremonies are set to take place at our campuses in Fort Frances, Kenora, and Dryden between June 10-12, ensuring that the celebrations extend across the region and include all members of the Confederation College family.

-30-

Confederation College has been serving the citizens of northwestern Ontario since 1967 meeting the educational needs of students in a catchment area of some 550,000 square kilometres. Along with its main campus in Thunder Bay, Confederation College has seven regional sites located in Dryden, Fort Frances, Greenstone, Kenora, Marathon, Sioux Lookout and Red Lake, as well as a growing Distance Education division.   

Confederation College delivers exceptional education and training to an average of 7,000 combined full- and part-time students per year and currently has a total of 600 full- and part-time employees. Confederation’s regional economic impact and contribution is valued at $707.3 million annually.