The students from St. Lawrence College, Celebrated Honorary Degree Laureate

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It was a monumental day on the campus of St. Lawrence College in Cornwall on Friday as hundreds of graduates were celebrated for their hard work and academic success.

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In a packed Aultsville Theater auditorium, family, friends and faculty cheered the graduates as they crossed the stage and officially became SLC graduates.

“Be confident knowing you are prepared and well-equipped to excel in your new job, start your own business, continue your academic journey or start contributing to your local community. Regardless of the path you take, I encourage you to be proud of what you have accomplished,” said SLC President and CEO Glenn Vollebregt.

The valedictorian of this cohort was Katherine Anne Westenbroek, who now holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Westenbroek was particularly inspired by her grandmother, who is also a nurse, and was praised for her initiative to help her peers study during her time at college.

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“While today may mark the end of an era, it is also a very exciting beginning to a new chapter in all of our lives,” said Westenbroek, who asked the audience to sit and enjoy the students’ achievements, to serve as inspiration. moving into the future.

Each student was given an official pin as they crossed the stage, and Indigenous graduates were also presented with pins designed by Taylor Smoke with images meaningful to Inuit. Métis and First Nations peoples.

An honorary degree was awarded to Cornwall barrister Neha Chugh at the same morning ceremony.

Chugh was honored for her many contributions to Cornwall and the area where she provides her legal expertise and commitment to social justice. As a founding partner of Chugh Law, her practice is the largest in the region, specializing in criminal, family, youth justice and child protection law. Chugh also serves on several boards of community organizations and helped establish the Department of Justice in Akwesasne.

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Chugh is a member of the 2020 Standard-Freeholder Community Editorial Board.

Delivering an authentic and inspiring speech, Chugh spoke about her upbringing, coming to Cornwall and her community journey in the face of adversity.

“When I started my criminal law practice in Cornwall a decade ago, I looked around the criminal bar in Cornwall and saw no lawyers who looked like me. Brown mothers, women, young women… I was eager to bring my voice to our local bar,” she said.

“The world is now at your fingertips. It’s a time to create, to succeed, to explore, to make mistakes – big and small – and of course to rest and have some quiet time.

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“It wasn’t that long ago that I was sitting where you are, thinking about all the hours and years I endured to get to graduation.”

Three convocation ceremonies took place in Cornwall on Friday. Others who received their diplomas and degrees at the morning ceremony included students from the Schools of Allied Health; arts, media and design; interdisciplinary studies and pathways; and those affiliated to the Iohahi:io Akwesasne Institute of Education and Training. Students from business schools, including project management and supply management, were celebrated at a 1pm convocation, with those from applied science and technology, community service, innovation and business engagement, continuing education and skilled trades rolled into one, starting at 4:30 p.m

St. Lawrence College will hold convocation ceremonies in Brockville on Friday, June 7, with Upper Canada Family Health Team Executive Director Sherri Fournier Hudson receiving an honorary degree. The final set of convocation ceremonies will be held in Kingston on June 14, where Kingston Employment and Youth Services Founding Director Michael Harris and Girls Inc. CEO Limestone Lindsey Belch.

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