Last class of Lethbridge College graduates cross the stage

By Justin Seward - Lethbridge Herald on October 22, 2024.

Herald photo by Justin Seward Students of the last Lethbridge College graduating class walk down the hallway on their way into the gym for their convocation ceremony on Saturday.

Fall convocation students made history on Saturday as about 170 of them crossed the stage as the last Lethbridge College graduates ever before the post-secondary institution switched over to polytechnic status.

The name switch happened in the summer and the fall convocation graduates were the last to receive their parchments from Lethbridge College.

Those 170 students were of the 500 that were obtaining degrees, diplomas, certificates and apprenticeship credentials this month.

“For those of you heading into new careers, remember this: your credential isn’t just a piece of paper, said Brad Donaldson, Lethbridge Polytechnic president and CEO, in his speech to the graduates.

“It’s proof that you’ve developed the tools to build something remarkable, to solve problems, to innovate and to lead. Whether you’re becoming a leader in industry, health care, technology, or any other field, you’re stepping into a world that needs thinkers and doers more than ever.”

Donaldson wanted the graduating students to take pride in their accomplishments.

“You are the culmination of Lethbridge College’s proud history and the bright beginning of Lethbridge Polytechnic’s future,” said Donaldson.

“You’re ready to take on whatever the world throws at you. And if you ever need a reminder of what you’re capable of, just look at the person next to you – you made it here together, and you’ll make it through anything else that comes your way.”

Tiffany Brown graduated from the practical nursing program.

“It’s something that we worked really hard for over the last two years,” said Brown.

“So it’s just really exciting to be able to share this accomplishment with friends, family and others in the program.”

Brown said it’s super exciting to be able to kind of make history.

“It is also exciting to see it evolving into (a) Polytechnic, much like the rest of the colleges are,” said.

Brown enjoyed the support system at Lethbridge College.

“The supports that Lethbridge College offers just for everybody is unmatched,” said Brown.

“The supports that the instructors offer their students and just other supports that the college offers is just amazing. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience.”

Jade Tilleman was also graduating practical nursing, which was her second diploma after graduating from the Exercise Science Diploma.

“To have two with the same name is kind of cool, especially now that it’s gone,” said Tilleman. When asked about being part of the last college graduating class.

Tilleman enjoyed the friendships she made.

Kevin Erick received his Virtual and Augmented Reality Certificate

“Just joy I’d go with,” said Erick, on being done.

Connecting with his classmates is what Erick enjoyed the most.

“I made some phenomenal friendships and I’m genuinely really lucky with the instructors I had,” said Erick.

For Erick, there a sense of pride for him being one of the last students to graduate at the college.

“My mom graduated from here previously, so I get to carry on the family through graduating from the college,” said Erick.

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