Day two of Spring Convocation celebrates more than 825 new alumni  

Hospitality took centre stage as Niagara College welcomed hundreds of new graduates into its alumni community on day two of Spring Convocation, including a standout scholar who received the prestigious Governor General’s Silver Academic Medal.

More than 825 new graduates received a warm welcome as they celebrated their academic milestone on June 10, whether they crossed the stage at the Welland Campus or watched the ceremony livestream. The morning ceremony saw more than 345 graduates from the School of Hospitality and Tourism earn their credentials, while the afternoon celebrated 480 graduates from the Schools of Business and Management, Culinary Arts, and Wine, Beer and Spirits.

President Sean Kennedy encouraged the Class of 2025 to carry forward the spirit of welcome they experienced at NC, where they cultivated their passions and forged meaningful connections.

“Wherever your next path takes you, I want you to remember the power of welcome,” said Kennedy. “In a time of incredible uncertainty and divisiveness, it is so important that we never lose sight of our humanity; that we focus less on what sets us apart and more on what unites us; that we make an effort to find common ground.”

Academic excellence shines

The morning ceremony recognized Abigail Tuckwell, Honours Bachelor of Business Administration (Hospitality) graduate. The 23-year-old capped off her studies with an impressive 95% average, earning her this year’s prestigious Governor General’s Silver Academic Medal – an annual honour reserved for the student with the highest average in a degree program.

Tuckwell, who is originally from Chatham, has been applying her skills across the country in Dawson City, Yukon. Since completing her studies, she has been working at Holland America/Princess Alaska-Yukon Land Operations where she previously completed one of her program’s co-op placements.

Tuckwell credits her academic success to her strong work ethic and genuine passion for hospitality. She finds inspiration in creating experiences for people, whether working in hotels, events, or the food and beverage sector – all areas where she gained valuable experience as a student.

“I found my passion for hospitality as I enjoy creating experiences for people,” she said. “Whether they’re visiting a new location, celebrating something special, or exploring, I enjoy being able to help create those moments.”

Though unable to attend in person, Tuckwell addressed her fellow graduates via video. She said that receiving this award was special to her and led her reflect on all the hard work and dedication she has put into the past four years.

“It’s helped me to truly appreciate the wealth of knowledge and skills that will prove useful as I go out in the industry,” said Tuckwell. “As I’m now taking the next steps within my career in hospitality, I recognize that my motivation and work ethic came both from my interests in the industry, but also from the passion my professors exemplified through my studies. Their passion helped fuel my own and made me more excited for my career ahead.”

Tuckwell was also named Dean’s Award winner for the School of Hospitality and Tourism. Dean’s Academic Awards are presented to students with the highest cumulative grade-point average in each academic school.

y. Dean’s Awards were also presented during the afternoon ceremony to Chevell Clarke, Culinary Innovation and Food Technology (Co-op) graduate (School of Culinary Arts); Nicole Hennig, Winery and Viticulture Technician graduate (School of Wine, Beer and Spirits); and Jessica Rakotonandrianina Ratsimba, Office Administration – Health Services graduate (School of Business and Management).

Spring 2025 Convocation continues

Niagara College will celebrate more than 5,000 new graduates during Spring 2025 Convocation, running from June 9-14 with ceremonies held twice daily at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

The first day of ceremonies on June 9 saw more than 960 new graduates from the Schools of Academic and Liberal Studies, Justice and Fitness, and Community Services. Rochelle Bush (St. Catharines), owner of Tubman Tours, received the Distinguished Alumni Award during the afternoon ceremony.

Ceremonies will continue on Wednesday, June 11, with over 1,045 graduates from the Schools of Media, Trades, and Technology. The Governor General’s Collegiate Bronze Academic Medal – awarded to the graduating student with the highest average from a diploma program – will be presented to Kane Jennings (Waterdown), who graduates from the Acting for Film and Digital Media program with an outstanding 97.83% average (morning ceremony).

On Thursday, June 12, over 685 students will graduate from the Myhal School of Nursing and the School of Allied Health.

Friday, June 13 will celebrate more than 1,035 new graduates from the Schools of Business and Management, Environment and Horticulture, Academic and Liberal Studies, and English Language Studies.

Convocation will conclude on Saturday, June 14 with over 745 new graduates from the School of Business and Management. Retired Chief Executive John F.T. Scott (Niagara-on-the-Lake), former CEO of the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers and former Chair of NC’s Board of Governors, will be presented with an Honours Bachelor of Business Administration (International Commerce and Global Development) during the morning ceremony.

All Niagara College Convocation ceremonies take place at the Simplii Financial Athletic Centre at the Welland Campus. For the full schedule, including a list of programs graduating within each school, or to watch the livestream of any ceremony, visit NC’s Convocation website.

Niagara College has a full-time enrolment of more than 10,000 students from over 95 countries, who study in 130 diploma, certificate and bachelor degree programs at specialized campuses in Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Niagara College is also involved in educational projects and partnerships around the world and is consistently ranked among Canada’s top 10 colleges for research funding. Learn more at niagaracollege.ca.

Recent Convocation media releases:

June 9: Niagara College kicks off week-long Spring Convocation ceremonies

June 5: Niagara College to celebrate class of 2025 at Spring Convocation

Media inquiries, please contact:

Julie Greco 
Communications Consultant 
905-328-2532 
[email protected]

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A new Motus tower at Niagara College’s Welland Campus is tracking at-risk birds and other migratory species moving through the region.

Installed on the roof of the Simcoe building, chosen for its accessible high point on campus, the tower was positioned to pick up radio transmitters from tagged birds which broadcast unique identifiers as they fly overhead.

“Each tower collects data that are like pieces of a puzzle, and all those puzzle pieces are put together through the network of hundreds of towers,” said Martin Smith, Professor in NC’s School of Environment and Horticulture. “It’s the collective of the different data points which makes the system informative.

“We can use the data to see where birds were flying, how long it took them to go from station to station, whether they stopped to rest, and how many disappeared or got lost.”

This data feeds into the Motus Wildlife Tracking System, an international collaborative research network connected to hundreds of other towers across North and South America, as well as Europe. Managed by Birds Canada, Motus uses coordinated automated radio telemetry to facilitate research and education on the ecology and conservation of migratory animals, including birds, bats and insects.

The Motus tower at the Welland Campus was installed just two years after the College’s first Motus tower made its debut at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake. While the Niagara-on-the-Lake tower tracks birds migrating through North Niagara, the Welland Campus tower detects those flying along the south shore of the region, benefitting both the international network and student learning opportunities.

The two towers on NC’s campuses expand the Motus network. Currently, there are only three Motus receiver locations in the Niagara region – two on NC campuses and one in Thorold. The next closest stations are in Grimsby and Port Maitland, and across the U.S. border in North Tonawanda, New York.

“The Niagara College Motus towers are integral to this large-scale collaborative effort by helping fill a crucial gap in the Niagara region, which is an area where many animals migrate through if they are unable to cross over Lake Ontario or Lake Erie,” said Matt Fuirst, PhD, Research Ecologist and Observatory Manager, Birds Canada.

Fuirst noted that Motus is a collaborative research network that makes use of new and existing infrastructure to enable anyone to play a part in tracking migratory birds, bats, and insects, and contributing to their conservation. Motus is rapidly expanding and there are over 2,000 stations worldwide.

Students in NC’s environmental programs gain direct experience with monitoring techniques, hands-on training with the equipment and how to navigate the sophisticated monitoring system, enhancing their employability.

“The Motus tower at our Welland Campus is another outstanding example of how Niagara College blends experiential learning with meaningful community partnerships. It not only enhances the hands-on training our students receive, but also contributes to vital conservation efforts across the region,” said Evan DiValentino, Dean of Business and Environment. “Projects like this are why our graduates are so well-prepared to meet the demands of today’s environmental sector.”

Even before the tower became operational, different classes of Ecosystem Restoration students learned the nuts and bolts of the initial installation process, including  figuring out costs and applying for funding. Students were involved with equipment purchase and assembly, linking the tower to computer and internet systems, troubleshooting technical issues, and more.

Smith noted that Ecosystem Restoration students use the Motus data in an animal monitoring project for their Species Management course. They also write formal proposals for funding grants as part of their Ecological Engineering course – an essential skill for many Ecosystem Restoration graduates as they pursue their careers.                 

Through written proposals, different classes of Ecosystem Restoration students over the past few years have successfully gained funding to support both of NC’s Motus tower projects.

Funding and community support

The tower at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake was supported by an RBC Foundation grant of $4,000, and a student-led Go Fund Me campaign that raised $2,800 to cover purchase and installation of the Motus tower, as well as a $2,531.69 donation from the Niagara Falls Nature Club and $1,000 from the World Wildlife Fund.

The Welland Campus project was supported by funds raised by students in 2023-2024, including $13,000 from the Niagara Community Foundation (NCF) and $6,000 from RBC Foundation.

“The Motus Wildlife Tracking Tower Project is an excellent example of an innovative project that is addressing the ever-changing environmental concerns of our region,” said Bryan Rose, NCF Executive Director.

Rose noted that the NC project exemplifies a successful initiative addressing a priority of NCF’s Environmental Grants program, supported by the Dorothea Thomas Fund.

“We know that Niagara has a unique natural habitat that is in constant threat by climate change, and human impact of development and growth within our region. We need to work together to protect it. But the first step in any environmental protection, is knowledge,” said Rose. “Gaining a better understanding of the migratory corridors, with the help of the Tracking Tower, will equip Niagara College and other community partners with the data and information they need to better understand how to protect and preserve our environment for migratory birds and animals.”

“Protecting Canada’s biodiversity and investing in solutions that fight biodiversity loss will be important for generations to come,” said Jaye Toulouse, Regional Vice President, Niagara Region, RBC. “That’s why we are proud to support Niagara College’s Motus Wildlife Tracking Tower Project, that leverages technology and helps unlock the data needed to inform how to protect and restore our natural ecosystems.”

Hands-on experience for students

In addition to supporting the Welland Campus tower, funds raised enabled 12 selected students from NC’s School of Environment and Horticulture to attend a three-day advanced ornithology micro-credential course, which focused on the Motus system, at Birds Canada’s Port Rowen Observatory in March. 

Graduating Environmental Technician student Tyler Warmbold (Port Colborne), who will continue his studies in the Ecosystem Restoration post-graduate program in September, valued the experience he gained with Motus towers on campus and the opportunity to attend the Birds Canada course. He was in his early twenties when he enrolled in the program, pursuing a career change to a field he was passionate about.

“The Motus initiative was an unexpected pleasure …  I was able to use the experience installing the new tower on the Welland campus rooftop and finding out the way the towers work to create a proper thesis and complete the term long project,” he said.

Warmbold noted that the experience students are gaining may be beneficial for their future environmental careers. 

“If I were to pursue a career in birds, there is potential to install Motus towers in other countries; for example, South America has very few towers and it is where a lot of our bird species end up migrating to,” said Warmbold. “If we are to better understand and track these species, many more towers are going to need to be installed and maintained.”

Niagara College has a full-time enrolment of more than 10,000 students from over 95 countries, who study in 130 diploma, certificate and bachelor degree programs at specialized campuses in Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Niagara College is also involved in educational projects and partnerships around the world and is consistently ranked among Canada’s top 10 colleges for research funding. Learn more at niagaracollege.ca.

Media inquiries, please contact:   

Julie Greco 

Communications Consultant 

905-328-2532 

[email protected]

The post Bird-tracking initiative takes flight at Welland Campus appeared first on Niagara College.

Electrical Apprentice Olivia Carre is $1,000 richer, but for the Welland native, it’s the recognition that matters.

This Spring, Carre was one of just four apprentices from across Canada to receive the Dakota Prep Fellowship.

“It’s good to be noticed,” said Carre, who recently completed Niagara College’s Electrician – Construction and Maintenance Apprenticeship program. “If someone else sees that, they might say, why don’t I try this?”

Dakota Test Prep offers a study app that is popular with NC students preparing for Red Seal exams. The inaugural award seeks to empower exceptional electrical apprentices who have demonstrated a deep commitment to mentoring and assisting their peers.

“Olivia is an emerging leader in the trades, and this recognition from Dakota Test Prep is a testament to her excellence as an electrical apprentice,” said Darrell Clarke, Associate Dean of NC’s School of Trades. “We know she will do well in her career and hope her story inspires others to see the breadth of possibilities in the skilled trades.”

For Carre, who works at Sid Grabell Contracting in Thorold, the stakes are high, and safety is number one.

“Our job is no joke,” said Carre. “People can get seriously hurt in this career. There is a lot to be aware of on a job site, and not just electrical, but machinery and other contractors. I want to make sure my crew is safe.”

Carre looks out for her younger contractors – including two first-year NC students – and ensures no one takes shortcuts.

Beyond safety, and with a quiet confidence, Carre is a willing mentor.

“I teach everything I know. Whatever I know, I’m going to pay it forward to someone else.”

Carre got her start at her parents’ landscaping company. When they took on Sid Grabell Contracting as a client, Carre was exposed to a wide range of jobs in the trades.

“The guys would start to notice what I was doing, and they said, ’you’re a hard worker, you should get into the trades.’ It’s a great place to be and you just move up from there… We didn’t know as high school students that the trades were a thing, and now, we need people in the trades – bad.”

To women and girls considering the trades, Carre says, “you’re definitely capable… there are so many different tasks in the electrical field that you will find your niche.”

She adds that having a positive attitude, being a good listener, and having the guts to ask questions goes a long way in the field.

“We [women] tend to pay extra attention to detail, think ahead and consider the outcomes.”

Beyond electrical work, Carre has learned to work with wood and steel on the job, skills she’s been able to bring home where the most precious little person lives: her son.

“I would love to pass my Certificate of Qualification, my final test, and have that because I have a baby who is two and a half, and, one day, I can tell him I did this, and you can do whatever you want to do.”

“Juggling motherhood, school, and leadership on the job, Olivia hasn’t just kept up—she’s thrived. That’s what the Dakota Prep Fellowship is all about,” said Alex Au, Co-founder of Dakota Prep.

Niagara College has a full-time enrolment of more than 10,000 students from over 95 countries, who study in 130 diploma, certificate and bachelor degree programs at specialized campuses in Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Niagara College is also involved in educational projects and partnerships around the world and is ranked Canada’s No. 1 research college. Learn more at niagaracollege.ca.

– 30 –

Media inquiries, please contact:

Jessica Torok
Communications Consultant
Niagara College
905-932-1520
[email protected]

The post Wired for success: Welland electrical apprentice wins national fellowship appeared first on Niagara College.

He’s represented Canada on the world stage, and cooked for celebrities and royalty at some of the finest restaurants across the country and abroad; now Chef Scott Baechler is ready to dish on his extraordinary career at a one-evening-only dinner event in Niagara.

On May 8, A Chef’s Journey with Scott Baechler will draw a sold-out dinner crowd to Niagara College’s Benchmark restaurant. The event will shine a spotlight on the NC Chef Professor through a carefully curated dinner menu along with dashes of storytelling peppered throughout the evening.

An ongoing dinner series at Benchmark restaurant, A Chef’s Journey celebrates NC’s exceptional roster of academic chefs who not only share their ‘recipes for success’ with students but have made their own indelible marks on the industry.

“The menu I’ve written for this event is a reflection of food memories and locations,” said Baechler who noted that a smoked black cod fish course is a variation of a dish he prepared with his former team in Vancouver, while the main course will be a spinoff of his son’s favourite dinner: steak frites.

“It will be great to share a little part of my journey with everyone.”

Baechler has enjoyed an exciting 35-year career in the food service industry. He has cooked such notables as Queen Elizabeth, Prince Phillip, Halle Barry and LL Cool J.

His prominent positions include Executive Chef at the Diva at the Metropolitan Hotel in Vancouver (2003-2004), Chef de Cuisine at Fairmont Dubai, United Arab Emirates (2004-2005), and Executive Chef at the Four Seasons in Whistler, B.C. (2005-2007).

Baechler was a core member of Culinary Team Canada (2013-2016) which scooped up gold and silver medals in Switzerland and Luxembourg. In addition to winning hardware at national and international culinary competitions, he also coached Canada’s national junior culinary team.

Baechler’s interest in entering the culinary world stemmed from growing up in Goderich, Ontario.

“My grandma Valma Miller was a professional caterer and my mom Larraine Baechler was an amazing home cooking baker,” he recalled. “Both of them inspired me to enter the culinary field, and I fell in love with it as a young boy.”

His journey led him to earn his diploma and Red Seal Culinary Apprentice in Toronto where he completed his apprenticeship at the Royal Meridien King Edward Hotel. He sharpened his culinary skills at prominent destinations around the world including the three Michelin-starred Connaught Hotel in London, England; Restaurant Daniel and Per Se in New York City; the Rimrock Hotel in Banff, Alberta; Fairmont Empress in Victoria, British Columbia; and the Four Seasons Hotel in Nevis, West Indies.

“When I first started in the industry at 18 and through my mid-twenties, I was pretty gutsy. I accepted positions with different hotels internationally and wasn’t afraid to make a leap,” he recalled. “It’s been an interesting and exciting journey.”

In addition to focusing on his craft, Baechler is devoted to sharing his expertise with students. He joined NC faculty in 2014 after seven years of teaching at Fanshawe College.  

“I’m very passionate about my craft and being behind the stoves with my students. It’s rewarding because you get to mentor and nurture the next generation of cooks,” he said. “To me, their success does not end in graduation – the real success is longevity with the industry.”

Some of his former students will return as featured alumni for the May 8 event, including Toronto resident RJ Fortes, Chef at 1 Kitchen restaurant (Culinary Management Co-op, 2015). Fortes fondly recalls Baechler as his Chef Professor and one of his coaches for Skills Ontario where he won gold.

“I wanted to be different and move away from home and decided on applying for the Culinary Management program at Niagara College,” said Fortes. “That ended up being one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life.”

Niagara Falls resident Rashmi Italiya, Kitchen Supervisor, Four Brothers Cucina (Culinary Management Co-op, 2025), who is also involved as a featured alumna at the event, noted that Baechler and all of her NC Chef Professors contributed uniquely to her growth as a culinary professional.

“From Chef Scott [Baechler] and Chef Justin [Downes], I learned the importance of attention to detail and discipline. Chef Olaf [Mertens] taught me how to create memorable dining experiences, while Chef Anthony [Greco] emphasized efficiency in the kitchen. Chef Mitchell Lamb instilled in me a deep respect for ingredients from diverse cultures,” she said. “These lessons have become integral to my daily practices and continue to shape my approach in the culinary world.”

Featured alumni for the event will also include Dollar Thakar (Niagara Falls), Chef de Partie at Benchmark, who graduated from Culinary Management (Co-op) in 2022.

A Chef’s Journey

Organized by NC’s trailblazing Culinary, Tourism and Beverage Studies division, A Chef’s Journey dinner series debuted at Benchmark in late 2024.

“A Chef’s Journey is a celebration of culinary artistry, community and the journeys that have shaped our talented chefs and alumni,” said Craig Youdale, Dean of Culinary, Tourism and Beverage Studies. “Each event creates meaningful connections between our College chefs, alumni, students and our community.”

The series will conclude for the 2024-2025 academic year with a sold-out event featuring Chef Professor Oscar Turchi on May 22.

A Chef’s Journey events are held at Benchmark restaurant, located at NC’s Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake. They are supported by students and staff from the College’s Benchmark team led by Victor Oliveira and Chef Justin Downes.

Student Experience Scholarship Fund

Events support NC’s Student Experience Scholarship Fund, which launched simultaneously with the series late last year. In lieu of leaving a gratuity at Benchmark or a special event, guests are encouraged to donate to the fund, that creates scholarships for students within NC’s schools of Culinary Arts, Hospitality and Tourism, and Wine, Beer and Spirits.

Donations may be made by scanning a QR code displayed on menus or through an online donation form.

Niagara College has a full-time enrolment of more than 10,000 students from over 95 countries, who study in 130 diploma, certificate and bachelor degree programs at specialized campuses in Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Niagara College is also involved in educational projects and partnerships around the world and is ranked Canada’s No. 1 research college. Learn more at niagaracollege.ca.

Media inquiries, please contact:   

Julie Greco 

Communications Consultant 

905-328-2532 

[email protected]

The post Benchmark dinner event celebrates Chef Scott Baechler May 8 appeared first on Niagara College.