St. Clair College wraps up week of in-person convocation ceremonies

After two years of holding ceremonies virtually, St. Clair College is now finishing a week of in-person convocation sessions that allowed thousands of students to gather and celebrate their diploma achievements together.

The college’s official 55th convocation started Monday and wraps up Thursday — recognizing more than 3,500 graduating students over the course of six sessions.

Arrangements were made to hold the large-scale events at the Chrysler Theatre, the WFCU Centre, and Chatham’s Capitol Theatre.

For the first time since June 2019, students were allowed to gather en masse, shoulder to shoulder, wearing traditional caps and gowns — and without any mask requirement.

Convocation sessions in 2020 and 2021 were held online due to COVID-19 precautions.

This week’s graduating schools and programs included: engineering technologies, skilled trades, apprenticeships, community studies, health sciences, nursing, information technology, media, art design, and business.

Each session had an alumnus of distinction address the graduates. The guest speakers were: Tim Byrne, CAO of the Essex Region Conservation Authority; Kristin Kennedy, CEO of Erie Shores HealthCare; Will Bigelow, art director of Baron Championship Rings; Karen Bolger, executive director of Community Living Essex County; and Dave Merheje, actor and comedian.