Congratulations, Graduates!

Thank you for joining us for Loyalist College’s 56th Annual Convocation ceremonies. Relive our celebration of student success by watching all past Convocation ceremonies here.


Save the date

Attention, grads! Take a look at the schedule below to find your ceremony date. Be sure to share the news with your family and friends. They’ll want to be there to cheer you on as you make your way across the stage!

Videos

Convocation Schedule

FAQs for the BIG Day

Celebrate at a local restaurant

Check back to this page regularly for updates and keep an eye on your email!


Convocation ceremonies, June 6 – 9, 2023

Construction sign With summer road construction well underway, give yourself extra travel time to make it to your ceremony. Construction sign

Programs

  • Biotechnology
  • Biotechnology – Advanced
  • Cannabis Applied Science
  • Chemical Engineering Technician
  • Chemical Engineering Technology
  • Environmental Technician
  • Environmental Technology
  • Radiation Safety 

Speaker & Honorary Diploma Recipient

Mike Shoreman

Mike Shoreman
Athlete, Author, Speaker and Mental Health Advocate  

Mike Shoreman was recently honoured by the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, the House of Commons, and the Prime Minister after making Canadian history as the first athlete with disabilities to cross all five Great Lakes in the largest national mental health awareness campaign led by an individual. In 2018, Mr. Shoreman lost his mobility and parts of his vision, hearing and vestibular function before suffering a mental health breakdown. He now travels across North America speaking to organizations about corporate wellness and resilience, and is a sought-after, award-winning leadership speaker, a best-selling author, athlete and advocate. A feature length documentary following Mr. Shoreman’s journey and the Canadian mental health crisis will be released into the Canadian and International film festival circuit in August 2023. Featured in over 100 news media outlets across Canada and internationally, Mr. Shoreman is a Bell Let’s Talk ambassador and is involved with several mental health organizations across Canada and the United States. A proud Loyalist College graduate, he is the 2022 Mental Health Leadership Award recipient from the Mood Disorder Society of Canada and is a three-time Canadian Disability Hall of Fame nominee.  

Programs

  • Architectural Technician
  • Architectural Technology
  • Automotive Service Technician Apprenticeship 
  • Carpentry and Renovation Technician
  • Carpentry and Renovation Techniques
  • Civil Engineering Technician
  • Civil Engineering Technology
  • Construction Engineering Technician
  • Electrical Engineering Techniques
  • Electrical Engineering Technician
  • Electromechanical Engineering Technician
  • Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Techniques
  • Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician
  • Manufacturing Engineering Technician
  • Mechanical Techniques
  • Motive Power Fundamentals – Parts and Counter Personnel
  • Motive Power Technician – Service and Management
  • Survey Engineering Technician 
  • Welding Techniques
  • Welding and Fabrication Technician

Speaker & Honorary Diploma Recipient

Josiah Fallaise

Josiah Fallaise
Founder and Owner of FDF Raceshop   

Josiah Fallaise is the founder and owner of FDF Raceshop in Trenton and is a leader in high-quality automotive engineering and manufacturing, specializing in racing. After launching an independent business in 2018 and working alone in a 1,000-square-foot building, Mr. Fallaise is committed to supporting “homegrown” talent and manufacturing. He now employs 16 skilled workers in a 9,000-square-foot space. He plans to expand his operations to a new building, creating even more job opportunities in the local skilled trades industry while ensuring all products are manufactured in Canada. By using cutting-edge technology and social media platforms to teach, market, and promote his business, Mr. Fallaise now sells over 6,000 unique automotive parts – all of which he designed himself by incorporating the latest technologies. He is currently building a next-level race car that has drawn international attention. Mr. Fallaise is also a professional driver and brand ambassador for Formula Drift and has an educational YouTube channel. As a proud alumnus of Loyalist, he has remained close to the College community and served as an instructor in Loyalist College’s Manufacturing Engineering Technician program from 2015 – 2017. 

Programs

  • Artificial Intelligence and Data Science
  • Computer Systems Technician
  • Cyber Security 
  • Financial Technology
  • Centre of Leadership, Learning and Academic Excellence (CLLAE)
    • Activation Techniques in Gerontology
    • Business Techniques Certificate
    • eLearning Developer
    • Facilitator of Adult Learning
    • Food Service Worker
    • Food Service Worker
    • Gerontology Certificate
    • Graphics – Software Applications
    • Health Records Clerk
    • Home Inspection
    • Hospital Ward Clerk
    • Human Resources Management Certificate
    • Internet Applications and Web Development
    • Internet Applications and Web Development Fundamentals
    • Leadership Development Series Certificate
    • Legal Assistant
    • Office Administration – Health Services Diploma
    • Office Administration – Medical Transcription
    • Office Administration Executive
    • Office Administration General
    • Office Assistant
    • Palliative Care Certificate
    • Perioperative Nursing
    • Perioperative Nursing
    • Registered Practical Nurse – Oncology Nursing
    • Small Business Bookkeeping
    • Sterile Processing
    • Veterinary Office Assistant

Speaker & Honorary Diploma Recipient

Janak Alford

Janak Alford
Chief Technology Officer, Government of Canada

Janak Alford is an entrepreneur, designer, and enterprise technology leader. Currently, he is Chief Technology Officer and Enterprise Architect for the Government of Canada overseeing major systems transformation and modernization to support public safety activities. Since 2005, Mr. Alford has held increasingly senior roles in the federal public service with Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and Correctional Services of Canada. A graduate of Loyalist College’s Architectural Technician program, Mr. Alford also holds both a Bachelor and Master of Architecture degree from Carleton. After completing studies at Carleton, he launched and operated a boutique design and fabrication firm known as prototypeD which served several hundred clients with 3D printing, CAD design, software development, architectural and environmental design, and rapid product prototyping. Mr. Alford has won the CBSA President’s Award for Innovation, the Azrieli Scholarship Award, the Canadian Architect Award of Excellence, and was recognized with a Student Medal for Academic Excellence by the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada. 

Programs

  • Business
  • Business – Accounting
  • Business – Finance and Analytics
  • Business Administration – Accounting
  • Business Sales and Marketing
  • Global Business Management
  • Human Resources Management

Speaker & Honorary Diploma Recipient

Lisa Kirbie

Lisa Kirbie
Founder and CEO, Blackbird Strategies  

Lisa Kirbie is the Founder and CEO of Blackbird Strategies, a values-first firm focused on reconciliation and social justice. Ms. Kirbie’s progressive career led her from British Columbia, where she began as a struggling single mother, to the hallways of power and influence on Parliament Hill. Recognized for her work ethic and drive to succeed, she is one of our day’s most reputable political consultants and was nominated for a Premier’s Award by Loyalist College in 2010. At 50, Ms. Kirbie founded Blackbird just months before the pandemic with nothing more than a laptop and the determination to succeed. Now, the thriving communications and government relations firm’s client roster continues to grow, serving clients across the country and employing a dozen staff in Ottawa and Saskatoon. In addition to her government relations successes, including being recently named one of the Top 30 Most Active Lobbyists in 2022, Lisa is also an award-winning public relations professional. Ms. Kirbie is a mother of two adult children and a doting grandma to Harrison and Hutton.  

Programs

  • Culinary Management
  • Culinary Skills
  • Esthetics and Spa Management
  • Project Management
  • Supply Chain Management – Global Logistics
  • Sports and Entertainment Sales and Marketing

Speaker & Honorary Diploma Recipient

Hanna Bunton

Hanna Bunton
Professional Canadian Hockey Player  

Hanna Bunton is a professional Canadian hockey player with the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association and Head Coach at Collège Bourget in Quebec. Ms. Bunton grew up in Belleville, and as a youth player, she played for the Whitby Wolves in the Provincial Women’s Hockey League. After graduating high school, Ms. Bunton moved to the United States to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and play hockey at Cornell University. She played in 125 NCAA games with the University and was named Ivy League Rookie of the Year in 2014 and Ivy League Player of the Year in 2017. Ms. Bunton played for Team Canada at the 2013 IIHF World Women’s U18 Championship, scoring six points in five games as the country won gold. In 2021, Ms. Bunton appeared on the cover of Elle Canada magazine with two other female athletes recognized as changemakers for women’s hockey and advocating for equal opportunity in female professional sports.  

Programs

  • Advanced Filmmaking 
  • Advertising and Marketing Communications – Creative Design
  • Animation & Game Development 
  • Broadcasting – Radio
  • Broadcasting – Television, Filmmaking and Digital Content Creation
  • Career and College Prep
  • Film and Television Production
  • General Arts and Science
  • Journalism – Communications
  • Photojournalism 
  • Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Advanced Diplomas & Degrees/Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Certificates & Diplomas
  • Public Relations – Event Management

Honorary Diploma Recipient

Shelby Lisk

Shelby Lisk
Photographer, Filmmaker, and Journalist  

Shelby Lisk is a Kanyen’kehá:ka artist, filmmaker, and photojournalist from Kenhtè:ke (Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory). Ms. Lisk has a degree in Fine Arts, with a minor in Gender Studies from the University of Ottawa, a diploma in Photojournalism from Loyalist College, and a certificate in Mohawk Language and Culture from Queen’s University and Tsi Tyónnheht Onkwawén:na. Her films have appeared internationally at film festivals, including the American Indian Film Festival, Native Spirit Film Festival, Planet in Focus International Environmental Film Festival, Asinabka Film and Media Arts Festival, Māoriland Film Festival, the Winnipeg Art Gallery, and on CBC Gem. Ms. Lisk’s writing and photography have been published in The Globe and Mail, Maclean’s magazine, ProPublica.org, APTN News, TVO.org, Watershed Magazine, and TEACH Magazine. She is a member of the international photography collectives “Women Photograph” and “Indigenous Photograph” and was longlisted for the Scotiabank New Generation Photography Award in 2021. She recently received the Journalist for Human Rights (JHR) annual award for “outstanding work by an Indigenous youth reporter” for her story on Indigenous language revitalization for TVO. The story received recognition for including translations into four different Indigenous languages.

Programs

  • Community Integration Through Co-operative Education
  • Child and Youth Care
  • Developmental Services Worker
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Fitness and Health Promotion
  • Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant
  • Recreation and Leisure Services
  • Social Service Worker 

Speaker & Honorary Diploma Recipient

Henry Saulnier

Henry Saulnier
Warden, Millhaven Institution  

A noteworthy leader at the Correctional Service of Canada, Henry Saulnier is Warden of Millhaven Institution – one of six federal maximum security correctional facilities in Canada. He is a proud Loyalist College graduate, recipient of the 2013 Governor General of Canada’s Exemplary Service Medal, and 2022 Loyalist College Premier’s Award nominee. Shortly after graduating from Loyalist’s Law and Security Administration program in 1992, Mr. Saulnier began his career at the Correctional Service of Canada as a Correctional Officer. He worked his way up the ranks at various correctional institutions before taking over the top job at Millhaven two years ago. As Warden, Mr. Saulnier is responsible for managing operations of an institution with capacity for 500 inmates. Driven by his passion to lead others in contributing to public safety, he has been a dedicated partner and mentor to Loyalist students for more than 30 years. In a unique experiential learning opportunity, Mr. Saulnier recently challenged students and faculty in Loyalist’s Community and Justice Services program to help design and facilitate new rehabilitation programs for inmates in the Ontario Structured Intervention Units (SIU), Regional Psychiatric Treatment Units – three of whom successfully received an official Loyalist College “Job-Readiness” micro-credential.

Programs 

  • Community and Justice Services 
  • Customs Border Services  
  • Paralegal  
  • Paramedic
  • Personal Support Worker
  • Police Foundations  
  • Practical Nursing  
  • Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training
  • Protection, Security and Investigation

Speaker & Honorary Diploma Recipient

Monique Belair
Fire Chief, Kingston Fire & Rescue Services   

As Kingston’s first female Fire Chief, Monique Belair is a trailblazer who has made it her professional mission to foster female talent within the firefighting industry. When Ms. Belair graduated from Niagara College in 1985 with a Law and Security Administration diploma, she joined the male-dominated Canadian Armed Forces as one of only five female firefighters. After training at various Canadian Forces Bases (CFB), her first post was at CFB Ottawa as the first female firefighter in the area. From there, Ms. Belair rose through the ranks, taking on diverse roles in all divisions of fire services, such as communications, public education, investigation, prevention, and training. She served as Deputy Fire Chief for St. Catharines and Oakville before climbing the last rung to Chief of Belleville Fire Services and Kingston Fire & Rescue Services. In 2019, Ms. Belair’s mission came to fruition with the founding of Camp Molly in Halton – an unprecedented opportunity for women and girls aged 15 – 18 to get hands-on experience in all aspects of fire services. The program has since expanded to Belleville, Quinte West, Brantford and Vaughan, with eight additional locations across the province hosting Camp Molly in 2023.


Celebrate at a local restaurant

After your ceremony, grab a bite to eat at any of these local restaurants and receive a free dessert with the purchase of an entrée*. Look for a special card in your convocation folder for all the details on how to redeem for your free dessert.

Participating restaurants include:

Birdy’s Fine Casual Dining
449 Dundas St W, Belleville

Chilangos Mexican Restaurant
365 N Front St, Belleville

Chuck’s Roadhouse Bar & Grill
305 N Front St #17, Belleville

Export Grill
182 Front St, Belleville

Linguine’s Italian Restaurant
257 N Front St, Belleville

Paulo’s & Dinkel’s
38 Bridge St E, Belleville

Royal Haveli
366 N Front St #22, Belleville

The Local Social House
211 Coleman St, Belleville

Tiger Chicken & Ribs
190 Front St, Belleville

*Please follow the instructions on the card included in your convocation folder to redeem for the free dessert.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

To help you and your guests prepare for the Convocation ceremonies, take a peek at the FAQs below. 

Students who have successfully completed the academic requirements for their diploma or certificate and who do not owe any money to the College are eligible to receive a certificate or diploma at Convocation. Students who owe money to the College may participate in Convocation but will not receive their certificate or diploma until their student account is cleared.

Graduates are not required to register in advance. Please ensure that you arrive at the time specified for your ceremony and you will be able to join the proceedings.

There is no strict limit on the number of guests each graduate can bring.

Display your success with pride. A variety of diploma frames will be for sale in the front foyer. To view frame options and purchase a frame online please visit our online store at loyalist.mdf-store.ca.

Anyone unable to attend in person will be able to watch the ceremonies via our web live stream. On the day of the ceremony, simply go to loyalistcollege.com and follow the link. The videos will also be posted online at loyalistcollege.com following the ceremonies and may be viewed at that time.

Signs and attendants will direct guests and graduates when they arrive to one of a number of our parking lots on campus.

Parking for persons with  limited mobility will be provided in the parking lots near the Kente building.  Anyone who requires extra assistance should contact AccessAbility Services at 613-969-1913, ext. 2519 or studentsuccess@loyalistcollege.com. Those who have arranged special parking or assistance should inform the staff attending the guard hut on the main driveway to the Kente building when they arrive.

Gowns will be available beginning at 8:30 am for the morning ceremony and 12:30 pm for the afternoon ceremony. Students are advised to arrive at the gowning room early (at least one hour in advance of the ceremony) to check in, obtain their gown, and assemble for the academic procession. Please check back to this page for additional details.

Students are advised to arrive at the gowning room early (at least one hour in advance of the ceremony) to check in, obtain their gown, and assemble for the academic procession. Gowns will be available beginning at 8:30 am for the morning ceremony and 12:30 pm for the afternoon ceremony. Please check back to this page for additional details.

Loyalist College’s Convocation ceremonies are held indoors. After obtaining their gown, graduating students will be organized by their procession marshal who directs the line formation for the procession to the ceremony.

Graduating students will be directed to the edge of the platform by the procession marshal. As each individual’s name is read, the student will cross the platform to receive congratulations and their graduation folder.
This is an event to honour the accomplishments of all the graduates. After crossing the stage, graduates will be directed back to their seat in respect for their fellow graduating students. Every graduate would like family and friends to hear his or her name called. Please withhold applause until it is invited.

Special seating due to disability is available for our graduates and guests and is reserved in advance by contacting Student Success at studentsuccess@loyalistcollege.com or 613-969-1913, ext. 2519.

Loyalist College visitors receive 5% off the best flex rate of the day at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Belleville. To unlock this special rate, notify the Holiday Inn that you are with Loyalist College upon booking. 
 

Grad photos will be offered before and after each Convocation ceremony – no appointment necessary. Drop by room 1H6A any time from 8:30 – 10 am, 11:30 am – 2:30 pm or 3:30 – 5 pm.