Gail Smyth, Executive Director of Skills Ontario, Addresses the Schools of
Applied Sciences, Skills and Technology and Business and Management Studies
Belleville, Ontario, June 5, 2015 – At the 48th Annual Convocation Ceremony on the morning of June 5, Loyalist College proudly presented 471 graduates in the School of Applied Sciences, Skills and Technology and School of Business and Management Studies with advanced diplomas, diplomas, certificates, and graduate certificates. The Convocation Ceremony was the third of four, recognizing a total of 2,070 Loyalist graduates.
The Convocation address was delivered by guest speaker Gail Smyth, Executive Director of Skills Ontario, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting skilled trades and technologies careers to young people in Ontario. Since she was appointed in 1997, she has taken a fledgling venture to a dynamic, province-wide organization with headquarters in Kitchener and satellite offices in London, Ottawa, Peterborough, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Toronto and Windsor. In the beginning, two programs were offered across Ontario: The Ontario Technological Skills Competition (OTSC) and cardboard boat races, with a total outreach of about 3,000 students. Today, the Ontario Technological Skills Competition has grown into the largest of its kind in Canada, attracting more than 30,000 visitors yearly. As a result of her vision, the organization has earned high-level recognitions through the Yves Landry Program of the Year Award, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Business Achievement Award for Skills Development, and the ICON Program of the Year to the Partners for Change Award from the Ontario Women’s Directorate. Ms. Smyth has been appointed as a member of the Appointments Council for the Ontario College of Trades, the Canadian Association of Women in Construction and the Appointments Council for the Ministry of Education.
“One of my favourite quotes comes from Dr. David Viscott, a practical psychiatrist from the United States and the ‘Dear Abby’ of the radio world. He said: ‘The purpose in life is to discover your gift. The work of life is to develop it. The meaning of life is to give your gift away,’” said Ms. Smyth. “The diploma you will hold in your hands today can be part of your gift. It will be your learner’s permit for your drive through life. As you start your life’s journey, I encourage you to throw away that store-bought map or your GPS and set a new direction for yourself. Draw your own map and don’t be afraid to make a few mistakes.”
In recognition of her dedication to and promotion of skilled trades and technologies careers for young people in Ontario, Chair of the Loyalist Board of Governors Brian Smith presented Ms. Smyth with an Honorary Diploma, the College’s highest academic tribute.
New awards this year include the Young Entrepreneur Business Award, which was presented to Business Accounting graduate Joanne Elizabeth Senger of Frankford, Ontario and the Spa Retail Sales Award, earned by Esthetics and Spa Management graduates Jenna Chard and Courtney Depippo, both of Belleville, Ontario.
Among other distinctions presented Friday morning was The W. Garfield Weston Foundation Fellowship. Introduced at Loyalist in 2013 as a pilot project, the Fellowship program is helping to meet the ‘skills gap’ and to build a stronger workforce by encouraging Fellows to pursue careers in electrical, welding, manufacturing, automotive and building sciences. Students selected for a Fellowship receive tuition credits and upwards of $4,000 in bursaries during their studies. In January 2015, the Foundation extended funding for the Fellowship program at the College for another two years — bringing the total support for 100 skilled trades students, including apprentices, to $400,000. Weston Fellows graduating this year include:\
Construction Renovation Techniques
- Leith Reilly of Milford
Electrical Techniques
- Brandon Keith Daiken of Trenton
- Jacob William Huiskamp of Bloomfield
- Liam James St. John of Belleville
- Brett Brian Joseph Whitmore of Brighton
Mechanical Techniques
- Niklas Berry of Haliburton
- Diamond Simon Lalenti of Belleville
- Sean Leahy of Havelock
Motive Power Fundamentals
- Alyxandia C. Amaral of Elginburg
- Mikaila MacLeod of Warkworth
Welding Techniques
- Nicholas Companion of Barrie
- Turner John Mclaughlin of North Gower
- Nicholas Matteo Paiva of Roslin
- Evan Desmond Payne of Pembroke
- Jacob Mark Spencer of Belleville
- Austin Phillip Stoddart of Consecon
- Sarah Courtney Wells of Rockwood
Electrical Engineering Technician – Industrial
- Nathan Conboy of Roslin
- Dillon Robert McIntyre of Churchill
Manufacturing Engineering Technician
- Kent Raymond McIlmoyle of Belleville
Welding and Fabrication Technician
- Hailey Emelia Megraw of Glenburnie
- Natalie Lydia Desiree Stallaert of Campbellford
During the third of four Convocation Ceremonies at Loyalist College on June 5, 2015, Chair of the Loyalist Board of Governors Brian Smith presented Ms. Gail Smyth, Executive Director of Skills Ontario, with an Honorary Diploma in recognition of her dedication to and promotion of skilled trades and technologies careers for young people in Ontario. Left, Loyalist College President & CEO Maureen Piercy.
Welding and Fabrication Technician graduate Hailey Megraw is congratulated by Ms. Tamara Kleinschmidt, Past Chair, Loyalist College Board of Governors. Hailey is one of 22 W. Garfield Weston Foundation Fellows completing their program of study at Loyalist this year.
Esthetics and Spa Management graduate Jenna Chard of Belleville, Ontario is presented with the new Spa Retail Sales Award by Loyalist College Governor Mary Lynn Rutledge.
About Loyalist College
When it comes to grads getting jobs, Loyalist College is the #1 College in Ontario. According to Provincial Key Performance Indicator (KPI) results released April 15, 2015, 89.3 percent of the College’s most recent graduates found employment within six months of graduation compared to the provincial average of 84 per cent. Located on more than 200 acres in the beautiful Bay of Quinte region, Loyalist College is a close-knit community where students and their success come first. Loyalist provides personalized attention in small classes, rewarding field placements and superior student services. To prepare students for in-demand careers, Loyalist offers more than 60 full-time programs; apprenticeships; and 500+ online, distance and in-class courses, as well as opportunities for continuing education through more than 70 university transfer agreements. The College’s wide selection of advanced diplomas, diplomas and certificates aligns with market-driven disciplines including applied sciences, biosciences, building sciences, business and management studies, health sciences, human studies, justice studies, media, arts and design, and skills and technology. In Ontario, the College’s new Digital Media Centre and the LEED® Silver certified Sustainable Skills, Technology and Life Sciences Centre are training centres of choice for students, as well as College business and industry partners. For more information on the College’s Belleville and Bancroft campuses, visit loyalistcollege.com.
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Contact: Kerry Lorimer, Director of Marketing and Communications,
Loyalist College, klorimer@loyalistc.on.ca, (613) 969-1913, ext. 2536
