Hats off to the 2010 spring convocation Durham College grads

Durham College graduates spend their final moments together as DC students at the 2010 spring convocation ceremony, held on June 18 at the General Motors Centre in Oshawa.

Congratulations to the 2010 spring graduates of Durham College! Three convocation ceremonies took place on June 18 at the General Motors Centre in Oshawa, accommodating each school from Durham College. Not only was this a big day for the graduates, it was also a special day for the college as it recognized its 50,000th graduate that day.

More than 2,500 students crossed the stage, only a few handshakes away from the beginning of their future careers. The centre was decorated with the school colours and nearly every seat was filled as proud parents and loved ones came out to celebrate.

In addition to recognizing the graduates, the first-ever honorary credential was presented to Dr. Peter Zakarow, former chair of DC’s Board of Governors and six DC alumni received Alumni of Distinction awards.

DC graduate Sarah Ojha of the Social Services Worker program couldn’t have been happier when her name was called that day. “A million negative things ran through my head before I walked up there, like I might fall or something,” she said. “But like my two years here, at the end I made it across.”

Ojha felt a huge sense of accomplishment as many graduates did upon receiving their diplomas. Words from college president Don Lovisa, helped inspire the grads for their bright futures ahead.

The final ceremony came to a very special close when former DC Graphic Design student Tyncel Hasan was honoured posthumously, following her sudden death last year. Her mother Charmaine Hasan, a clerk in the college’s Access and Support Centre, walked across the stage to accept her daughter’s diploma.

“I had mixed feelings at first, but it was a proud moment,” Hasan said. “Tyncel wanted to graduate on time.”

Fellow graduates gave both Charmaine and Tyncel a standing ovation that could be heard outside of the arena. “It felt like she was a celebrity,” said Hasan. “In spite of (Tyncel) not being there, everyone still clapped.”

Convocation is a time to acknowledge those students that are leaving and to recognize the many that are to come. The day was a success and a big thank you goes out to everyone involved.