CONVOCATION: WELCOMING OUR NEWEST ALUMNI IN PERSON

It was all smiles at BCIT’s first in-person convocation ceremonies in more than two years. The BCIT Alumni Association team welcomed a total of nearly 2,200 of our newest graduates to the alumni family at the Spring 2022 and Winter 2023 Convocation ceremonies.

Congratulating the graduating students at the ceremonies, the Alumni Association Board of Directors shared their enthusiasm. They encouraged them to stay connected to their community of more than 200,000 alumni and reminded them that the Association is committed to their career success.

Graduates were inspired by several alumni speakers. BCIT alumna Manpreet Dhillon, Founder and Principal Inclusion Officer of Veza Global, and past BCIT Alumni Association Director shared her advice to “enjoy the journey.” Valedictorian and Computing graduate Nolan Nordwall, who is also the BCIT Student Association President’s Designate to the Alumni Association Board of Directors, encouraged his fellow graduates to “focus on the small improvements you can make every day… as you build yourself into the kind of person who achieves things, the achievements will come naturally.”

During the spring 2022 convocation week, Dr. Indira V. Samaresekera, O.C., received the Institute’s highest honour, the BCIT Honorary Doctor of Technology, and shared: “Taking risks is fundamental in achieving excellence. Without it, we cannot push boundaries. As you leave today, reflect on these high principles: risk more, care more, dream more, and expect more, and your reward will be extraordinary.”

Throughout the celebrations, the Alumni Association engaged with the new grads in several unique and memorable ways. All new graduates received a BCIT Alumni pin and a pair of BCIT Alumni-branded dotted socks. The Alumni Relations team of volunteers greeted all the graduates and their loved ones with complimentary BCIT Alumni-branded chocolates and limited-edition stickers that proclaimed, “Future BCIT Alum,” “Proud BCIT Alum,” “Loved One of a BCIT Alum,” and “Proud Parent of a BCIT Alum”. Additionally, the celebration promoted the BCIT Alumni Perks app through contests and was amplified on social media. ∆