Cambrian College celebrates graduating students at convocation this week – June 12

SUDBURY – Cambrian College held its convocation ceremonies this week and made some school history in the process.

Approximately 3800 graduates and provisional graduates took part in eight ceremonies, one of the largest graduating classes in Cambrian’s history.

In her address to the graduates, Cambrian President Kristine Morrissey encouraged students to stay in touch with the people that mattered to them and maintain real connections to people, and to remember that growth comes from failing forward.

“The truth is your relationships will shape your life more than any algorithm ever could,” Morrissey shared with the graduates. “Friendships, family ties, mentors: these are your lifelines when the world feels too big or too fast. Keep those connections alive. Also, embrace failure, those awkward moments, rejection, and all of the detours along the way. They don’t feel good in the moment, but they grow you. They give you grit, humility, and pride.”

This year marked the first graduating class for Cambrian’s stand-alone Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, and the final graduating class for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program offered jointly with Laurentian University.

For the first time ever this year, Cambrian’s convocation featured the Governor General’s Silver Medal, given to the student graduating from a degree program with the highest overall average. This inaugural recipient was Allan Renaud, who graduated from Cambrian’s Honour Bachelor of Business Administration program, with an average of 94.35 per cent.

Cambrian also issued its first-ever honorary degree. The award was given to Walter Siggelkow, the owner and president of HLS Hard Line Solutions, a company focused on mining automation and remote-control technology. Siggelkow is a member of the MineConnect Hall of Fame. He is a past recipient of Cambrian’s Employer Award of Distinction for his contribution to students and programs, a Community Builders Award for Economic Development, and a Northern Ontario Business Award for Entrepreneur of the Year (2017).

This year’s convocation also included several special academic and community awards.

The Governor General’s Academic Bronze Medal for highest average for a student graduating from a diploma program was earned by Abby Robinson, who graduated from the Early Childhood Education program with an average of 97.5 per cent.

This year’s President’s Gold Award was given to Amber Appleby, who completed the joint Cambrian-Laurentian Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. This award recognizes a student with a grade point average of at least 3.5 who contributed to both campus and community life. Amber was recognized for her work as a peer mentor and student member of the Program Advisory Committee.

The President’s Silver Award was presented to Alexie Cotton, who graduated from the Social Services Worker – Indigenous program. This award recognizes a student with a grade point average of at least 3.0 who contributed to campus and community life. Cotton received the award for her work with the Cambrian Indigenous Student Circle and her work in the community to promote Indigenous values and culture.

The Dr. Fred Sheridan Award for outstanding contributions to community through education was presented to Randy Pascal, a sports journalist, founder of sudburysports.com, and Sudbury’s foremost authority on amateur sports at the high school and post-secondary level.

The Alumni Award of Distinction was presented to Meggan Van Harten, a graduate of Cambrian’s Graphic Design program and co-CEO of Design de Plume, an Indigenous and women-owned design firm.

Each convocation ceremony also included an address to graduates from a Cambrian alumni. This year’s alumni speakers included:

• Phil Guido (Electrical Engineering Technology, 2006), Vice-President of Engineering and Operations, Greater Sudbury Utilities.
• Kelli-Ann Lemieux, (Medical Laboratory Technologist, 1994), Chief Executive Officer, St. Joseph’s General Hospital, Elliot Lake.
• Marie Litalien (Journalism, 2008), President and CEO, Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce.
• Mansi Patel (Business Administration-Accounting, 2011), Senior Manager, Freelandt Caldwell Reilly LLP.
• Meggan Van Harten.