UNBC and CNC honouring the last two years’ grad classes

Post Secondary institutions in Prince George are going back to in-person grad ceremonies this year.

“We’re so thrilled for the students, the friends, the families that have been part of this journey, and really looking forward to the day,” said University of Northern BC President Dr. Geoff Payne.

“It will be a bit of a smaller convocation than you would normally see, very focused on the students, and their friends and family to celebrate with them, and that will be the same as well out in the regions.”

“We’re anxiously, and feverishly working away but we’re going to be ready, and we’re going to have an absolutely terrific time for students and their families as they celebrate,” said Mark Karjaluoto, College of New Caledonia Executive Director of Marketing and Communications.

On top of celebrating the 2022 grad classes, both institutions will be honouring the 2020 and 2021 classes.

Both UNBC and the CNC have been unable to have their in-person ceremonies for  the last two school years because of the pandemic.

“The last few years have been tough, there’s no question about that, and so it was difficult for people in 2020 and last year to graduate and not be able to cross the stage,” Karjaluoto said.

“We’re going to give them that opportunity. We’re going to have three ceremonies.”

For CNC, there will be ceremonies for this year’s class at both the Prince George and Quesnel campuses, as well as a ‘Celebration of Graduation’ in Prince George for the 2020 and 2021 classes. That ceremony will take place on June 4th.

For the UNBC 2020 and 2021 classes, they’ll have to wait a little bit longer.

“We’re aiming for the fall to have a large event where we’ll have an opportunity to celebrate the classes of 2020 and 2021 that missed their convocation,” Payne explained.

This year, UNBC is also celebrating 16,000 graduates in recognition of the 16,000 people that donated $5 to help the university get started.