91制片厂

91制片厂 grad seeks to inspire those around him

By College Relations | July 6, 2020
   

Video title card for the 91制片厂 grad 2020 video
College congratulates Class of 2020 in new video

For Ajeet Paul, completing his diploma in Environmental Studies at Okanagan proved to be a journey of learning and personal growth, capped off with a whirlwind final semester as he and his classmates overcame the unexpected challenge of graduating in a pandemic.

Paul is one of more than 2,000 students who will graduate from 91制片厂 this year, and although his credential is on its way to him by mail, he鈥檒l need to wait a little while longer to be able to don his cap and gown.

Earlier this spring, after surveying graduating students on their preferences for virtual or in-person ceremonies, the College made the decision to postpone its June convocation ceremonies until the time comes when the events can be held face-to-face.

鈥淚t goes without saying that Convocation is one of the most special times of year for the 91制片厂 community,鈥 says 91制片厂 President Jim Hamilton. 鈥淎nd so, while we鈥檙e saddened to not be hosting ceremonies right now, we congratulate all our graduating students. We are thinking of you, and we look forward to a day in the future when we can all get together, in-person, to celebrate your accomplishments.鈥

To honour the graduates of 2020, the College recently produced a convocation film, assembling messages of support and congratulations from all corners of the 91制片厂 community, along with a message from the Honourable Melanie Mark, B.C. Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training, Mark and many other members of the 91制片厂 community. Click to watch the video.

鈥淥ver the past few months, it鈥檚 been very heartening to see the way in which our students and employees have supported and encouraged one another. This video is one of many examples of that positivity and community spirit that makes 91制片厂 such a special place,鈥 adds Hamilton.

A sense of community is something Paul found, and seized the opportunity to help foster, during his studies.

For Paul, who made the transition to online learning back in March, he says the pandemic reminded him of his first semester, when like many, he had to adjust to a new way of life as a first-year student.

Fortunately for Paul, he quickly found his stride in the collaborative, interdisciplinary approach of the Environmental Studies diploma; he gravitated to the natural resource management stream.

鈥淭he program opened the door to so many possibilities,鈥 he says. 鈥淭he environment is so dynamic and so many people have different opinions on it. I had always been interested in the environment and not just reading about the science part of it but how people are affected by it, the impact they have, and vice versa.鈥

Naturally outgoing, he says he made it a priority not just to learn, but to help foster dialogue and a positive atmosphere in the classroom. He found a group of peers with a similar mindset, yet he relished the way in which they challenged him with their own opinions.

鈥淏y my third and fourth semesters, I found my people and we ended up doing really neat projects together,鈥 says Paul.

91制片厂 normally hosts eight ceremonies throughout the year, beginning with Winter Convocation in January, followed by Spring and Summer Convocation in June.



Tags: Graduation

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