It’s graduation day for students at Lambton College, the first in-person convocation in two years.
Corporate Communications Coordinator Jami Kloet says as many as 650 graduating students are expected to take part in the celebration, being held at Progressive Auto Sales Arena in Sarnia at 2 o’clock Wednesday afternoon.
“We have a traditional ceremony…our graduates will enter the arena to a processional, we’ll have a convocation blessing and an Indigenous honour song,” Kloet expalins. “We’ll be giving away some major awards, including our Governor General’s Academic Medal, which is given to the student with the highest academic standing.”
Kloet says it’s a proud moment for all students and faculty after a challenging few years.
“We’re just so incredibly proud of their perseverance, their commitment to their studies, and really their commitment to each other,” Kloet says. “What we’ve seen over these past two years is not only have these student shown up and worked so hard to get where they are today, to have this moment to cross the stage, but they really committed to showing up for each other. They were reaching out, they were supporting each other, and cheering each other on to get to the finish line.”
Dr. Michel Haddad, a critical-care physician and Chief of Staff at Bluewater Health, has been selected as this year’s guest speaker, and will also be presented with an honourary diploma in Health Management & Leadership Development.
Following today’s ceremony, the festivities continue with live music and local food trucks.