Students from over 40 program areas were awarded credentials for completing their area of study, and presented certificates or diplomas by NLC President and CEO Dr. Bryn Kulmatycki, and Board of Governors chair John Kurjata as well as NLC faculty and staff. Registrar Warren Stokes served as the Master of Ceremonies and emcee.
NLC hosted three convocation ceremonies this year. On June 2, the Chetwynd, Dawson Creek, and Tumbler Ridge Campus graduates were honoured with a ceremony in the College’s Aircraft Maintenance Engineering hangar located on the Dawson Creek Campus. On June 9, the Fort St. John Campus hosted a ceremony at the Pomeroy Hotel, and in Fort Nelson, graduates were honoured at the Phoenix Theatre on June 15.
“We are very proud of our graduates,” said Dr. Kulmatycki, “When our students cross the stage to receive their credential it is their special moment in the spotlight after an incredible amount of hard work and perseverance so celebrating their achievement through convocation is very special to our faculty and staff.”
Special awards of distinction were also presented. The Governor General’s Bronze Medal for academic excellence and the highest overall grade-point average (GPA) was awarded to Kristy Jamieson, a graduate of the Early Childhood Education and Care Diploma program offered in partnership with the Seabird Island Band. Jamieson achieved an overall GPA of 4.29.
The Lieutenant Governor’s Silver Medal is awarded annually to one student from each of the province’s community colleges and institutes who has excelled in both academic achievement and through contribution to the college community. Thomas Dortch, an Oil and Gas Field Operations (OGFO) program graduate, was the recipient as well as Valedictorian of the Fort St. John Campus 2017 class. Dortch uniquely graduated with son Weston Dortch from OGFO program in the same academic year.
This year NLC bestowed two Honorary Associate of Arts Degrees (HAAD).
The first recipient, Leo Sabulsky, is a resident of Chetwynd whose community connections to the Peace Region are vast. Sabulsky is a retired teacher, and current fire chief and emergency coordinator. He is one of the founding members of Peace FM and CHET TV and continues to be the volunteer supervisor of both. He is pursuing licenses from the CRTC to broadcast in Hudson’s: Hope and Tumbler Ridge in 2018.
Sabulsky summarized his contributions best when he said, “Follow your dreams, appreciate life to the fullest each day with your friends and your family.”
The second HAAD recipient, Rosella Borek, has supported student success at the College for many years through donations. The Borek family is well known throughout the Peace Region for its many contributions to the community and its successful business enterprises including Borek Air, Borek Construction, and Borek Holdings, a farm operation in the Dawson Creek area.
To view Convocation albums online, visit NLC’s Facebook page.
Thomas and Weston Dortch, a father and son
who received their certificate in Oil and Gas Field
Operations. Tom was not only the recipient of the
Lieutenant Governor’s Silver Medal, he was also the
Valedictorian of Fort St. John’s 2017 Class.
Debra Fantasque, Fort Nelson Campus
2017 Valedictorian and graduate of the
Career and College Preparation program.
