Excitement is in the air as Niagara College prepares to shine a spotlight on its Class of 2023 graduates and two honorary guests: a prominent Niagara leader and a distinguished member of the College’s alumni community for Spring Convocation.

From June 12-16, the Welland Campus will be a hub of activity with eight convocation ceremonies to be held in the Athletic Centre. Over five days of ceremonies, the College will celebrate 4,400 new graduates from NC’s spring Class of 2023 and two guests will be awarded special honours: Niagara Health President and CEO Lynn Guerriero will be presented with an Honorary Degree in Health Studies, and Amy Audibert (Broadcasting – Radio, TV and Film Class of 2012) on-air broadcaster for the NBA’s Miami Heat, will take the stage with a Distinguished Alumni Award.

“Spring Convocation is the highlight of the academic year at Niagara College. We look forward to welcoming our Class of 2023 and their families to our Welland Campus for the ultimate celebration of student success,” said NC President Sean Kennedy. “This year, we also look forward to honouring two extraordinary guests – a Niagara healthcare leader and an amazing NC alumna — who embody our College’s core values.”

Honorary Degree in Health Studies: Lynn Guerriero

Niagara Health President and CEO Lynn Guerriero will be presented with an Honorary Degree in Health Studies.

On the morning of June 14 (10 a.m. ceremony), Niagara Health President and CEO Lynn Guerriero will be presented with an Honorary Degree in Health Studies in recognition of her leadership and community collaboration in Niagara and within the Ontario healthcare system.

Guerriero joined Niagara Health as President in early 2020 and has been President and CEO since early 2021. She arrived in Niagara with more than 30 years of leadership in the Ontario healthcare system, including senior roles at Cancer Care Ontario and as Assistant Deputy Minister for the OHIP Division of the Ontario Ministry of Health.

Since she took the reigns at Niagara Health, Guerriero has supported the hospital team through its COVID-19 response, as well as with all Niagara region assessment centres, temporary management of two long-term care facilities in crisis, and the region’s largest vaccination clinic.

Under Guerriero’s leadership, Niagara Health has made significant progress with planning for the new South Niagara Site hospital, expanding healthcare research, and embracing innovations in technology to enhance access to safe, quality care and patient information – which are all expected to benefit Niagara.

Guerriero will receive her honorary degree at the morning ceremony on June 14 which will celebrate new graduates from the School of Nursing and Personal Support Worker, and School of Justice and Fitness.

Guerriero is currently a resident of Pelham.

Distinguished Alumni Award: Amy Audibert

Amy Audibert, who graduated from Niagara College’s Broadcasting program in 2012, will be presented with a Distinguished Alumni Award.

It’s been just over 10 years since she graduated from NC, and alumna Amy Audibert will receive a Distinguished Alumni Award in recognition of accomplishments on June 15.

Audibert, who has been netting success in her sports broadcasting career since she graduated from NC’s Broadcasting – Radio, TV and Film (BRTF) program in 2012, will be presented with the award during the morning convocation ceremony, which celebrates new graduates from the College’s School of Academic and Liberal Studies, and School of Media – including those graduating from the BRTF program.

Originally from Niagara Falls, Audibert currently works as part of a broadcast team for the National Basketball Association’s Miami Heat as a radio and television studio analyst. Previously, she was known as the voice of the Toronto Raptors as a court reporter and analyst for Sportsnet. In 2021, Audibert made headlines when she was selected to be part of a historic all-female broadcast crew – the first NBA broadcast in Canada which featured women in all on-air roles for a televised Raptors game.

Audibert played basketball for the University of Miami before she pursued her broadcasting studies. As a NC student, she took on the role of assistant coach for the NC Knights women’s basketball team (2011-2012) and honed her broadcasting skills at NC Knights games.

After graduating, she worked for a variety of sports media networks including CBS Sports, NBATV, and NBATV Canada.

Eight spring ceremonies

NC will host eight Spring Convocation ceremonies at its Welland Campus including:

• June 12, 3 p.m. (programs within the School of Business and Management);
• June 13, 10 a.m. (programs within the schools of Hospitality and Tourism, and Business and Management);
• June 13, 3 p.m. (programs within the schools of Culinary Arts; Wine, Beer and Spirits; and Environment and Horticulture);
• June 14, 10 a.m. (programs within the schools of Justice and Fitness, and Nursing and Personal Support Worker);
• June 14, 3 p.m. (programs within the schools of Technology, and Trades);
• June 15,10 a.m. (programs within the schools of Media, and Academic and Liberal Studies);
• June 15, 3 p.m., (programs within the School of Nursing and Personal Support Worker); and
• June 16, 10 a.m. (programs within the schools of Allied Health, and Community Services).

A highlight of Spring Convocation will be the presentation of the prestigious Governor General’s Academic medals to two graduating students who have achieved the highest overall grade-point average – one from a diploma program and another from a degree program (to be announced). Throughout the week, eight graduating students will also be presented with Dean’s awards for scoring the highest GPA within their school of study.

To view the schedule and list of programs graduating within each School, visit the ‘Ceremony Schedule’ section of NC’s Convocation website.

NC’s in-person Spring Convocation ceremonies will also be livestreamed. Visit the convocation website at niagaracollege.ca/convocation. Ceremonies will also remain on the site for later viewing.

 

 

 

Events to be held at Welland and DJP campuses

NC employees who are also NC graduates are invited to become a part of a new College tradition: Internal Alumni Coffee Hour!

Inaugural Coffee Hour events will be held for internal alumni on:

• March 21, 10-11 a.m. at the Welland Campus (SA 208); and
• March 23, 10-11 a.m. at the DJP Campus (N002).

Presented by Alumni Relations, the casual events offer internal alumni a chance to meet and mingle on campus. Alumni will have a chance to enjoy complimentary coffee, tea and pastries, and pick up some NC alumni swag.

“Not only is NC one of the best places to work, it’s also one of the very best places to earn an applied education,” said Gord Arbeau, Vice President, Advancement, who plans to attend both events. “The College is powered by a sizeable community of alumni who choose to work here after graduating and who put their applied learning to good use on our campuses and in service to our students.

“The Alumni Coffee hour will bring together graduates who are employed by the College and we can’t wait to celebrate their success and thank them for what they do each day for NC.”

“Whether you’re a brand-new employee or you’re an alum who has been working at NC for a while, we’re excited to welcome you to Internal Alumni Coffee Hour, where you can enjoy a warm beverage and good conversation while connecting with our College’s strong internal alumni community,” said Jana Boniferro, Interim Manager, Development and Alumni Relations. “We encourage all internal alumni to attend one of our inaugural events in March as we kick off this exciting new tradition, which we look forward to continuing during the years ahead.”

Chance to win

Attendees will also have a chance to win a $25 SAC gift card, which may be used at The Core and The Shack at the Welland Campus or at The Armoury and The Undergrounds at the DJP Campus.

Show your NC spirit

Attendees are encouraged to bring their NC alumni mug, if they have one, or they may have a chance to receive one at the event (while supplies last).

RSVP

Please RSVP by email to [email protected] (indicate which campus event you plan to attend).

Update your contact info

All internal alumni (whether or not they’re attending Internal Alumni Coffee Hour) are encouraged to update their contact information with Alumni Relations at www.niagaracollege.ca/alumnirelations/contactinfo/?bbeml=tp-EyLVuBnEvUisTw8_WeJqCw.jjJOivsQd

 

In honour of Black History Month, ncLibraries is shining a spotlight on the docuseries Canfield Roots, a six-part series that shares the stories of Black families who made rural Southern Ontario their home after escaping enslavement, whose descendants now work to save an abandoned cemetery.

The docuseries was directed and produced by NC alum, Graeme Bachiu, who graduated from NC’s Broadcasting – Radio, Television and Film program in 2003, and is available to view, free of charge, for all NC students, staff and faculty through the ncLibraries.

Canfield Roots was first released during Black History Month in 2022 and continues to serve as a reminder of the rich history of freedom seekers and the lives they led following their escape into Canada.

To view Canfield Roots, visit the ncLibraries website, and click on the “Black History Month Featured Resource.”

History

In the mid-1800s, Black American freedom seekers journeyed north to Canada on the Underground Railroad, a network of safe houses and hiding places that took people north. Some families put down roots near the small village of Canfield, building homes, raising families, and contributing to the cultural fabric of the community. Over time, the children of those families married into other families across Ontario and the United States, including a connection with the family of Harriet Tubman, the heroine known for making 13 return trips on the Underground Railroad to help liberate other freedom seekers.