More than 600 graduates were joined by their family and friends, college faculty and staff and the Durham College Board of Governors on October 25 as Durham College hosted its annual fall convocation ceremony at the Oshawa campus.

The event, which took place at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre, saw students from the schools of Business, IT & Management; Continuing Education; Health & Community Services; Interdisciplinary Studies & Employment Services; Justice & Emergency Services; Media, Art & Design; Science & Engineering Technology; and Skilled Trades, Apprenticeship & Renewable Technology receive their credentials following remarks by Don Lovisa, president, Durham College; Franklin Wu, chair, Durham College Board of Governors; Sanjay Surendran, elected student representative, Durham College Board of Governors; and Lillian Jacoby, president, Alumni Association.

“As you cross the stage to begin the next chapter in your lives, remember to appreciate where you have come from as you look ahead to where you are going,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College. “Your opportunities will only be limited by how you choose to use the tools you now have to start your career.”

In addition, graduates listened to a keynote address delivered by Elaine Garnett, a 2009 Durham College Alumna of Distinction Award winner and 1990 graduate of the college’s Advertising and Marketing Communications Management (formerly Advertising Administration) program. Since graduating from the college, Garnett has built a successful multimedia career in television, radio and newspaper while encouraging the pursuit of education through the development of academic course materials at the post-secondary level and her involvement with the college’s Advertising and Marketing Communications Management program.

“Today is just the start of your journey, whether it leads you across the world, into the global village or to a community close to home,” added Lovisa. “Try multiple paths, continue to build your knowledge and experience and be proud of your accomplishments!”

The annual ceremony has brought the college’s total number of alumni to close to 60,000 members strong.