Camosun College celebrates its 2013 graduates and award recipients, June 13 and 14

June 6, 2013

More than 2,000 graduates and guests are expected to attend Camosun College's 2013 Graduation over three ceremonies, June 13 and 14 at the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence, Camosun Interurban Campus.

• 2013 Grad Program (list of this year’s graduates)

Students will graduate from certificate, diploma and bachelor's degree programs in Aboriginal Education, Arts and Science, Business, Health and Human Services, Trades, Technologies, Sport Education and Adult Upgrading (Access).

Ceremonies are scheduled for:

• Thursday, June 13, 2pm – School of Business
• Friday, June 14, 10am – School of Health and Human Services
• Friday, June 14, 2pm – Centre for Sport and Exercise Education, School of Access and Aboriginal Education & Community Connections, School of Arts and Science, School of Trades and Technology.

Four major awards will also be presented: the 2013 Governor General's Collegiate Bronze Academic Medal; the British Columbia Lieutenant Governor's Silver Medal; the Camosun College Distinguished Alumni Award; and, the 2013 Promising Alumni Award.

Governor General's Collegiate Bronze Academic Medal – presented June 14, 2pm ceremony

The Governor General's medal is presented annually to recognize the top academic achievements of a graduate of a two-year or longer program. This year the medal is awarded to Scott Brown, a graduate of the Diploma in Mechanical Engineering Technology – Internship program. Scott was selected by the Registrar's Office after achieving a perfect 9.0 Grade Point Average or A+ achievement in each of his required courses for his program. Scott says he chose Camosun and his program because of the location. Originally from Jasper, Alberta, Scott wanted to study closer to the ocean! "The best part of my experience here was working with my instructors and fellow classmates on our final engineering project – an underwater wireless tsunami detection station," he says. Now Scott is taking Camosun's full-time Engineering Bridge program with the goal of transferring into the engineering degree program at the University of British Columbia. "I'm honoured and very excited to receive the Governor General's award," says Scott.

British Columbia Lieutenant Governor's Silver Medal – presented June 14, 2pm ceremony

The BC Lt. Governor's Silver Medal is presented each year to recognize the academic achievement and community contributions of a Camosun graduate from a one-year or shorter program. This year the award is presented to Jason Keddie, a graduate of the Certificate in Computer Systems Technician program. Jason enrolled in Camosun's Computer Systems Technician program after completing a Diploma in Arts and Science studies at Lansdowne campus. He says he chose the program because he has always had an interest in computers and had already taken a few first-year computer science courses. "The best part of my program was the experience I had with my fellow classmates," he says. Today Jason is working on his undergraduate degree in Computer Science at the University of Victoria. "My goal is to become an independent game programmer after graduation," he says. "It is exciting and an honour to receive the Lt. Governor's Silver Medal and to finish off my experience at Camosun on such a high note."

2013 Distinguished Alumni Award – presented June 14, 2pm ceremony

Camosun's annual Distinguished Alumni Award honours alumni who have graduated more than 10 years ago and who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in their field and service to their community. This year's award goes to internationally recognized local artist John Boehme. An enthusiastic and positive force in the Victoria arts scene and respected instructor, John Boehme graduated from Camosun's Visual Arts program in 1994 and returned to the college as a Visual Arts instructor in 2000. John's art is eagerly requested by international arts venues around the world. His exceptional talent as one of Canada's leading performance artists has led to numerous awards including being shortlisted for Canada's prestigious Sobey Art Award. He has participated in events, screenings, exhibitions, biennials, festivals and residencies in the United States, Europe, Asia, South America and Central America.

In both the college community and Victoria's visual arts community, John is extremely active. He uses his performing arts skills to act as emcee and auctioneer at numerous fundraising events. "I am overjoyed at being recognized as a distinguished alumnus and equally elated at the possibility of assisting others to achieve their dreams," says John.

2013 Promising Alumni Award – presented June 13, 2pm ceremony

Camosun's Promising Alumni Award recognizes recent alumni (10 years or less) who have demonstrated excellence in service and achievement in their field and in their community. This year's award is presented to Avery Graham, a 2012 graduate of the Bachelor of Business Administration – Marketing Communications Management Option. An aspiring community leader, Avery has garnered respect from her peers in the local business community. Six months after taking the role as Business Manager for her family's Mobil 1 Lube Express outlet she was nominated for a Duncan-Cowichan Chamber of Commerce Black Tie Award for exceptional customer service. A recent billboard advertising campaign design for Mobil 1 so impressed the Jim Pattison Group that they now recommend it as 'best practice' to other clients. A true measure of Avery's character is her devotion to community service. She has been instrumental in cancer fundraising activities on Vancouver Island and would like to organize support to help build a school in the developing world. "I feel so honoured to be acknowledged and I hope it inspires other upcoming graduates," says Avery. "The sky is really the limit for them. They might not get their dream job out of college but hard work really does pay off."

Camosun College congratulates all of its outstanding 2013 graduates and award recipients this year.

Media Contact

Karla Sandwith
Marketing/Communications Strategist
Communications & Advancement
250-370-4235
sandwith@camosun.bc.ca