Camosun celebrates its 2014 graduates and award recipients, June 19 and 20

Media Release
Release Date: June 13, 2014

More than 2,500 graduates and guests are expected to attend Camosun College's 2014 Graduation over four ceremonies on June 19 and 20 at the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence, Camosun Interurban Campus.

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).

In addition, Camosun is proud to celebrate the accomplishments of Camosun faculty and staff who have recently completed a Master of Education degree from Simon Fraser University (SFU). In partnership with SFU, Camosun hosted a Victoria cohort of the Curriculum & Instruction: Post-Secondary M.Ed. program, providing teaching professionals with the opportunity to enhance their academic careers. SFU also agreed to make Camosun the pilot for a unique "non-traditional entry" which allowed experienced instructors to be accepted into the M.Ed. program without a baccalaureate degree. In essence, SFU acknowledged that vocational instructors with a Red Seal Interprovincial Journeyperson credential and proven post-secondary teaching experience would be well-suited to succeed. With the success of this pilot, a new intake has been authorized for 2015.

Four major awards will highlight the graduation ceremonies. (See Backgrounder below for details.)

• Governor General's Collegiate Bronze Academic Medal, awarded to Etienne Quillaune Dube-Blais, Accounting Diploma
• British Columbia Lieutenant Governor's Silver Medal, awarded to Jonathan Candel, Post-Degree Diploma in Accounting
• Camosun College Distinguished Alumni Award, awarded to Len Wansbrough, Accounting Diploma 1983
• Promising Alumni Award, awarded to Jenny Shaw, Associate of Arts Diploma 2005

The Graduation Ceremonies are scheduled for:

• Thursday, June 19, 2pm  - School of Business
• Friday, June 20, 10am - School of Health and Human Services
• Friday, June 20, 12pm - School of Trades and Technology, SFU Masters of Education – Partnership Program
• Friday, June 20, 2pm - Centre for Sport and Exercise Education, School of Access, Aboriginal Education & Community Connections, School of Arts and Science.

Camosun College congratulates all of its outstanding 2014 graduates and award recipients this year.

Contact

Joan Yates   
Vice-President    
Communications, Advancement & Planning
Camosun College
Phone: 250-370-4269  
yates@camosun.ca

Michelle Tinis
Marketing/Communications Strategist
Communications, Advancement & Planning
Camosun College
Phone: 250-370-4626
tinis@camosun.ca

---

Backgrounder

The Camosun College Graduation Ceremonies are scheduled for June 19 and 20, 2014 in the Pacific Institute of Sport Excellence, Interurban campus, 4461 Interurban Road, Victoria, BC.

Camosun College awards include:

2014 Governor General's Collegiate Bronze Academic Medal

Presented:  Thursday, June 19, 2pm ceremony
Recipient:  Etienne Quillaune Dube-Blais, graduate of Business Administration, Accounting diploma, Co-operative Education designation

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's medal is awarded to Etienne Quillaune Dube-Blais, who is graduating with a Business Administration, Accounting diploma with a Co-operative Education designation.  Etienne was selected by the Registrar's Office after achieving a perfect (A+) 9.0 Grade Point Average. 

Etienne says he decided to take the Accounting Diploma at Camosun because it offered everything he needed - small classes with direct access to his teachers, affordable tuition fees, a reputable Accounting curriculum, and an excellent Co-op program. "The best part of my experience was that all the support needed to learn and succeed in my program was easily accessible. Studying at Camosun was a great experience. I simply enjoyed being on campus, acquiring knowledge, and exchanging ideas with other students and teachers in this beautiful environment."

After completing two Co-op work terms as Store Accountant with National Money Mart, Etienne has decided to stay on with the Money Mart team to further his accounting skills, possibly taking more courses at Camosun in the future.  "It's really a great surprise and an honour to receive the award. Thank you!"

British Columbia Lieutenant Governor's Silver Medal

Acknowledged:  Thursday, June 19, 2pm ceremony
Recipient:  Jonathan Candel, graduate of the Business Administration, Accounting post-degree diploma program

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 Jonathan Candel, a graduate of the Business Administration, Accounting post-degree diploma program.

Jonathan says he chose Camosun with the goal of pursuing a Chartered Professional Accountant designation. After starting with a co-op work term, Jonathan now has full-time employment in the finance department at Terapeak, a Victoria-based software company. "I've gotten great experience in the accounting field during my time there. I'm also continuing to run my own business as a professional musician, providing music lessons and performing regularly with many of Victoria's top arts organizations."

Jonathan doesn't hesitate to recommend the post-degree accounting program to others. "Take advantage of all the great services Camosun offers, such as the Co-op work experience. Also, get to know your professors; they have a wealth of knowledge and experience and can provide invaluable insights in to the accounting profession. I'm grateful to the Accounting department for putting my name forward, and even though I'm not able to make it to the graduation ceremony, I am extremely honoured to be selected for this award."

2014 Distinguished Alumni Award

Presented:  Thursday, June 19, 2pm ceremony
Recipient:  Len Wansbrough, 1983 graduate of Camosun's Business Administration, Accounting diploma program

Camosun's annual Distinguished Alumni Award honours alumni who 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 Len Wansbrough, a 1983 graduate of Camosun's Business Administration, Accounting diploma program.

Len came to Camosun with the goal to establish himself as a Certified General Accountant.  He completed his CGA designation in 1987. "I believe the major benefit of education is that it opens doors and career opportunities," says Len.  "Camosun offers excellent programs with real world exposure for those who wish to accelerate their career. I personally have benefited from hiring several graduate and co-op students over the years. Both of my children are attending Camosun business programs." 

Len began his professional career as an owner and manager of small and medium sized businesses including a multi-location retail building supply operation, exceeding $22 million in sales with over 150 employees. Len's involvement with the building industry gave him the opportunity to participate in many property developments. In 2001, he decided to focus on his passion for creating real estate communities on Vancouver Island and, since that time, several of Len's efforts and developments have been recognized by the Canadian Home Builders Association, Lee Valley Tools Commercial Award of Excellence and Gold CARE Award. He's currently the President of Metropolitan Capital & Westridge Landing Centre.

"Len is well-known in the community for his willingness to give his time and financial support to needed charities and organizations," says Matt Peulen, a long-time friend and associate. Len's community service includes being President of the West Shore Chamber of Commerce (1996), Director of the Western Community Seniors Low Cost Housing Society and membership on the Royal Roads University Board of Governors, City of Colwood Finance Committee, Victoria Foundation, Rotary, and the Chemainus Business Improvement Association. Len and his family generously support students in Camosun's BBA program through a bursary established in memory of his father Bill Wansbrough.

When told he was named the Distinguished Alumnus for 2014, Len responded with humility. "I'm very humbled by the award.  Alumni from Camosun make significant contributions to our local and world community.  It's an honour to be recognized and represent them."

2014 Promising Alumni Award

Presented:  Friday, June 20, 2pm ceremony
Recipient:  Jenny Shaw, a 2005 graduate of the Associate of Arts degree program

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 Jenny Shaw, who graduated with an Associate of Arts degree in 2005. 

While at Camosun Jenny was a top student and winner of the Social Sciences Award for Outstanding Student.  As a Student Representative with Camosun's African Awareness Committee, she successfully planned and organized a conference on international water privatization issues that hosted four guest speakers and over 200 attendees.

As a life-long learner, she continued her studies at the University of Victoria, earning a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) with Distinction from the Department of Anthropology in 2007. "Camosun's small class sizes and instructors' emphasis on teaching prepared me to succeed in university," says Jenny. She received the UVic President's Research Scholarship and Graduate Studies Fellowship and she is now pursuing a PhD in Anthropology at Simon Fraser University. In 2013, Jenny received the prestigious Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada for her PhD research project, Interrupted Lives: Youths' Experiences of Transnational Migration and Prolonged Family Separation.

Jenny spent time working as an Education and Employment Counsellor with the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society (VIRCS), assisting youth in identifying and reaching their career or post-secondary education goals. "Throughout my time working with Jenny, I have consistently been impressed by her remarkable strength as a role model," says Paulina Jarmula, Jenny's manager while at VIRCS. "She is not only a counsellor, but a teacher, mentor, friend, role model and confidante, as well as a source of comfort, compassion and reason." A teenaged girl from the Philippines added, "You helped me with lots of things, you made me feel that I can do anything I want. You're like a big sister to me."

Currently, Jenny is a youth worker and Neonology trainer and facilitator for the North Shore Multicultural Society in North Vancouver, where she facilitates anti-oppression, anti-discrimination workshops for elementary and high school students, encouraging dialogue about how to create more welcoming, inclusive communities. She's also self-employed as a yoga instructor with over six years of experience. Yoga has given her the means to manage her busy lifestyle.

"I have always been very proud to tell people that I started my academic pursuits at Camosun College," says Jenny.  "Winning this Promising Alumni award reminds me just how much Camosun supports students' success, even years after they graduate. It's a great honour and deeply meaningful to me as a Camosun alumnus."