The annual spring convocation ceremonies returned to the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) from June 19-21. Families and friends celebrated over 1,600 students who crossed the stage to become graduates of BCIT. These graduates now join the growing family of 185,000 BCIT alumni who are everywhere, in every sector, conquering today’s complex world.
Congratulations to all our graduates, their family, friends, and instructors! We are proud to have been a chapter of your journey. We wish you the very best!
Below you’ll find photos (including photobooth photos) and videos from each ceremony.
Share your favourite convocation moment with us by using #BCITGrad
Wednesday, June 19 — 9:00 am ceremony [full video]
Our first ceremony celebrated 280 graduates from the Digital Arts, Broadcast & Media Communications, and Marketing Management programs in the School of Business.
Keynote speaker Dr. Roberta Jamieson, President and CEO of Indspire, was recognized with a BCIT Honorary Doctorate of Technology, given to individuals who are widely acknowledged for outstanding and sustained achievement in their area of expertise.
Roberta is a Mohawk woman who has enjoyed a distinguished career of many firsts. She was the first Indigenous woman in Canada to earn a law degree, the first woman Ombudswoman of Ontario, the first woman elected Chief of the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory, and the first Indigenous Commissioner of the Indian Commission of Ontario.
Under Roberta’s leadership, Indspire has delivered over $100 million in financial support to 35,000 Indigenous students pursuing a post-secondary education.
Roberta told the graduating class, “Real success is more like a rising tide that raises all boats. That one person’s achievements make all person’s achievements possible.”
“You’re in a powerful place, graduates, to create an inclusive society. Let’s join hands together as we look out into the future of transformational change that you are going to build,” she added.
Watch the full video of Roberta’s speech below.
The valedictorian for the ceremony was Kase Overes, graduating with his Marketing Management – Entrepreneurship Diploma from the School of Business.
View photos from the June 19 morning ceremony. Photobooth photos are available for download.
Wednesday, June 19— 1:30 pm ceremony [full video]
Our second ceremony celebrated more than 300 graduates from the School of Computing and Academic Studies and the School of Health Sciences.
Keynote speaker Greg Malpass, Founder and CEO of Traction on Demand, shared his unconventional leadership style with the audience.
“Please take risks. Just because your degree is in one area, don’t think that defines you. Continue to explore yourself,” he said.
Greg strives to lead by example and sets the new standard for a positive and purposeful company.
Watch the full video of Greg’s speech below.
Occupational Health and Safety Diploma graduate Anastasia Riabkova represented the School of Computing and Academic Studies and the School of Health Sciences as class valedictorian.
View photos from the June 19 afternoon ceremony. Photobooth photos are also available online.
Thursday, June 20 — 9:00 am ceremony [full video]
Close to 300 students crossed the stage in the third ceremony. These included students from the School of Transportation and the Business Administration, Business Management, Business Operations, and Human Resources programs in the School of Business.
Keynote speaker Christine Day, CEO of Luvo Inc., leads in sparking change and disrupting industry norms. She encouraged graduates to be unique and innovate on purpose.
“Be yourself and embrace your weirdness. Weird is wonderful,” she said. “Find what you are passionate about and start there. Purpose and passion inspire us to ignore the mess and to create a better future.”
Christine also reminded the graduating class, “Be accomplished, not important. Ego gets in the way of ideas… Leadership is about creating the space for others to perform.”
Watch the full video of Christine’s speech below.
The valedictorian for the ceremony was Adam Fong, Diploma graduate from the Human Resource Management program.
View photos from the June 20 morning ceremony. Photobooth photos are also available online.
Thursday, June 20 — 1:30 pm ceremony [full video]
Our fourth ceremony celebrated more than 300 graduates from the School of Energy and the Accounting, Finance, and Insurance programs in the School of Business.
Honorary Doctorate of Technology recipient and keynote speaker Dr. Elyse Allan, Former President and CEO of GE Canada, is a passionate champion for Canada’s competitiveness, advancing the country’s science and technology base and competitive fiscal policy. She was appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada for her community engagement and achievements as an innovative business leader.
She spoke to the graduates about challenging themselves and each other for growth and success.
“We learn our capabilities by exploring, trying, failing, or succeeding wildly… By making these choices, we reveal more and often discover we can do so much more,” she said.
Elyse also encouraged graduates to, “Speak your mind and challenge others. These are attributes that are so crucial in today’s world.”
Watch the full video of Dr. Elyse Allan’s speech below.
Terry Calderbank was the valedictorian, graduating with a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical Engineering.
View photos from the June 20 afternoon ceremony. Photobooth photos are also available online.
Friday, June 21 – 9:00 am [full video]
Our final ceremony saw 273 graduates from the School of Construction and the Environment.
Keynote speaker Don Kasian, President of Kasian Architecture, Interior Design and Planning, is an inspiring entrepreneur who believes in the power of uncommon sense.
In his speech, he took our graduates on a journey to discover some unwritten rules about success in life, career, and business.
Watch the full video of Don’s speech below.
The valedictorian for our final ceremony was Nic Johnson, who graduated with a Diploma of Civil Engineering. This day was doubly important for Nic as it coincided with National Indigenous Peoples Day and Nic is Métis. Prior to the start of Nic’s convocation ceremony, he appeared on CTV Morning Live with Zaa Joseph, BCIT Indigenous Services Advisor and Nic’s valedictorian nominator, to talk about the importance of National Indigenous Peoples Day and BCIT’s commitment to the enrolment, support, and success of Indigenous learners. Watch Zaa and Nic’s CTV Morning Live segment.
View photos from the June 21 morning convocation ceremony. Photobooth photos are available for download.
Congratulations to the graduating class of 2019!
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