Convocation ‘bittersweet’ for outgoing college president
By Lethbridge Herald on May 27, 2022.
Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-Guzman
Departing college president Paula Burns addresses the graduating class of 2022 during the morning convocation ceremony Friday, on her last day at Lethbridge College.Alejandra Pulido-Guzman – LETHBRIDGE HERALD – apulido@lethbridgeherald.com
Lethbridge College graduates had the opportunity to receive their diplomas in the presence of family and friends once again, as this year’s ceremonies were open to the public.
Graduates were split into two convocation ceremonies Friday celebrated at the Val Matteotti Gymnasium, where they had the opportunity to cross the stage with family and friends cheering them on in person as well as online for those who were more comfortable with that setting or who live on other parts of the world.
Convocation 2022 ceremonies were the last for departing president Paula Burns, who had the opportunity to see her own son graduate during the morning ceremony.
“It’s bittersweet for sure. I’ll definitely miss this place, but certainly to be able to end my time here on convocation was actually pretty amazing,” said Burns in an interview with the Herald.
She said she feels comfortable departing as she had a wonderful team who has taken over many of the duties already, including Samantha Lenci who will be taking over her role.
“We’re looking forward to doctor Lenci becoming the interim president, which will be great for the institution. Sam has been with us for five years and it’s going to be just wonderful to have her leading,” said Burns.
During her speech in the morning ceremony Burns spoke about the many opportunities awaiting for them in the future and how they hope that their time at Lethbridge College has equipped them to rise and to be ready to embrace them.
“As you go out into the world you can search far and wide to find inspiration. Many of you will have found it here, close friends that you’ve made your family, because most often the inspiring people are quite close to home,” said Burns during her speech.
And while most of the graduating students will move on to tackle those opportunities Burns spoke about, some are continuing to further their education as it is the case for Ednna Stobschinski, who graduated Friday from the Renewable Resource Management program and will be continuing her education at Lethbridge College through the Bachelor of Ecosystem Management Degree.
“One of the advantages that Lethbridge College has is that some of their programs you have continuation into a bachelor’s degrees, so students like me get to stay here at the college instead of transferring to universities,” said Stobschinski.
She said one of the great things about being able to continue her education within the college is that it provides her with the hands-on experience the industry looks for in graduates.
Stobschinski served as president of the Lethbridge College Students’ Association for the 2021-22 academic year and as vice-president the year prior. She is also the student member of the Lethbridge College Board of Governors and has been working with the college’s AgENT program on a pilot project to make the college a zero-waste campus.
“The main objective of this pitch project was to create an organic waste management system that could be implemented at the college,” said Stobschinski.
She said we are in a very crucial moment in history that we need to take care of this world otherwise we are probably not going to make it as humanity and therefore it is very important to give back to the environment and try to find that balance.
“Essentially that’s what the project was all about, to bring that part of nature that was given to us,” said Stobschinski.
Such involvement with the college in her many endeavours had her highlighted during the afternoon ceremony, where those in attendance had the opportunity to watch a video of her and learn about her passion for the environment.
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19-18
Did the UCP government ever follow through in reducing the bloated wages for these post-secondary presidents? Really? $400k to run a College? $500k for the U?