Special Moments Fill the 53rd Keyano College Convocation

The area’s future leaders, artists, businesspeople, educators, nurses, skilled tradespeople, social workers, scientists, and more, crossed the Keyano Theatre stage on May 10, to accept parchments for successfully completing their post-secondary programs.

Keyano College’s 53rd Convocation saw a ceremony that was full of special moments, from mother and daughter, Precious and Yolanda Chatukuta, proudly graduating together from the High School Equivalency Diploma program, to the first graduates of the College’s collaborative Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science program walking across the stage to accept their degrees from Mount Royal University.

Keyano’s President, Dr. Trent Keough, in his first convocation ceremony since taking the post, congratulated all the graduates and asked them to reflect on their time at Keyano. He reminded students of their influence and importance of their future contributions to the world. Graduates also heard inspiring words from Valedictorian Kelly MacIntyre the Mayor of Wood Buffalo Regional Municipality, Don Scott, and Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche MLA, Laila Goodridge.

Graduating students expressed immense gratitude for the opportunity to take College and University-level programs in Fort McMurray.

“I had an amazing experience at Keyano—it felt like a family. I was surrounded by great, knowledgeable people who guided and taught me lessons that I will be taking with me for my entire life. I am so grateful to my fellow classmates and our professors for the bonds we were able to create,” said Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science graduate Pedro Bianchi.

The collaborative BSc program with Mount Royal University (MRU) is the fourth Bachelor’s Degree program offered through Keyano in collaboration with other another educational institution. Building on the college’s successful Environmental Technology Diploma program, it uses a blended approach that includes face-to-face instruction from Keyano faculty as well as telepresence lectures delivered by MRU faculty.

Keyano Students also can earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Bachelor of Education (Elementary) in collaboration with the University of Alberta, and a Bachelor of Business Administration through the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology.

As Keyano Board of Governors Chairperson Maggie Farrington congratulated all 480 graduates of the Class of 2019, she highlighted the many opportunities before them.

“It is my hope that your education will be the stepping stone to a rewarding life. As you come to the stage today to accept your parchment, I hope you can see the opportunities that are opening for you,” she said. “As you begin this next exciting chapter, I know that opportunities, whether they be career, educational, or something else, will come your way.

Photos:

Keyano Nursing graduates celebrate at Convocation. Photo by Keyano College

The first Keyano-MRU Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science graduates Pedro Bianchi, Erica Ackerman, Jamie Wiseman, and Dorcas Jaricha celebrated convocation on May 10, 2019. Photo by Keyano College