NLC Celebrates Graduates at Convocation 2020 & 2021

Slave Lake, Alberta (June 4, 2021): Northern Lakes College celebrated 1,337 graduates from the classes of 2020 and 2021 at a virtual ceremony on Friday, June 4. NLC graduates, staff, and faculty, along with guests, family, and friends, gathered virtually to mark the event.

Charlie Orr, Chair of the Peerless Lake Community Education Committee, led the ceremony with an opening prayer, followed by Canada’s national anthem. Master of Ceremonies, Amy Saitz, welcomed attendees and introduced a number of dignitaries, including Board Chair, Daniel Vandermeulen, who brought greetings from the Board of Governors of Northern Lakes College. “Today is reserved for one thing, and one thing only, and that is celebrating you, the graduates of 2020 and 2021. Celebrating the graduates of 2020 has been a long time coming, and we are so glad to finally have that opportunity now. The classes of 2020 and 2021 have had their fair share of challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, but have found success.”

Dr. Glenn Mitchell, President & CEO of Northern Lakes College, delivered the congratulatory address, recognizing the extraordinary level of perseverance required to succeed during the COVID-19 pandemic. “That you are celebrating your graduation today is proof that you stayed the course, in spite of life’s unexpected challenges. You took on those challenges, you scaled the mountain, and slayed those nasty dragons. I know the dedication and hard work that it takes to persevere as a student, and commend each and every one of you.”  

Alumni, Katie Bickell, delivered the keynote address. Valedictorians, Jocelyn Scott (2020) and Jeri Asels (2021), delivered addresses on behalf of their respective graduating classes. Also recognized during the ceremony were the recipients of the Friend of Northern Lakes College Award. Charlie Orr, who has been involved with the Peerless Lake Campus since the early 1970s, was the 2020 recipient. Ernst Grach, recipient of the 2021 award, was a public member of the Northern Lakes College Board of Governors from 2018 to 2020 and served on the Wabasca Community Education Committee before that time.

The 2020 and 2021 Practical Nurse students celebrated the completion of their program with a virtual capping and pinning ceremony prior to the convocation ceremony. Each nursing student was presented with a nursing cap and pin by a member of their immediate household.

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A distance learning college, Northern Lakes College provides the most accessible and flexible educational opportunities through innovative delivery. Utilizing its unique Supported Distance Learning (SDL) model, NLC assists 5,000 students annually to continue their education, improve their employment opportunities, and enhance their quality of life. Committed to its communities in northern Alberta and to its students, wherever they may be, NLC collaborates with business, industry, and other post-secondary institutions to benefit students and communities. Explore at www.northernlakescollege.ca.

For additional information contact:
Rachel Ouellette
Director, External Relations, Marketing & Communication
Office of the President
Northern Lakes College 
news@northernlakescollege.ca