When Dave Cassidy walked onto the stage as the keynote speaker at the 57th convocation, he had one big message for the soon-to-be graduates in attendance: “Be bold, be courageous and be your best.”
Cassidy, a graduate from the Electrician Construction Maintenance program at the College, is an Alumnus of Distinction, retired president of Unifor Local 444 and currently works as a special advisor in skilled trades for the Province of Ontario.
At the Fall Convocation on Oct. 1, 2024, Cassidy told a crowd of about 500 graduates never to shy away from challenges, not to be afraid of making mistakes and to always get out there and take on the world, head on.
“As each and every one of you move onto your next chapter, you will all be part of a team,” Cassidy said. “You will continue through your journeys being supported by teams and teamwork, and being part of that team will be the success of each and every one of you.”
The morning session featured students from the Schools of Community Studies, Engineering Technologies, Health Sciences, Nursing, Skilled Trades and Apprenticeships.
During College President Michael Silvaggi’s address to the graduating class, he asked students to look ahead to the Thanksgiving holiday and deconstruct the word into two equal parts: Be thankful for all you have, but always remember to give.
“We should all feel most blessed by the act of giving,” he told students. “Post-graduation, please maintain – even enhance that philosophy and practice of giving that your family taught you, and that St. Clair reinforced.”
“The communities you settle in, and the world at large do not solely need the College-taught talents and skills you will be bringing to the workforce and economy. Those are the gifts of your head and hands,” President Silvaggi said. “But just as important – perhaps more so – the world needs your heart, the generosity and compassion inherent in your giving nature.”
These are lessons that students like McKenzy Waldie are already taking to heart. She received her diploma today after graduating the two-year Practical Nursing program.
“It’s crazy, to walk across that stage. It’s so cool,” Waldie said, pointing to her years of late-night studying and cramming for tests and exams.
“But it was all worth it,” said the 22-year-old, who plans to be working in the healthcare field by November. “It’s great to be an alumna of St. Clair College.”
Alyssa Dyck, a graduate of the one-year Hairstyling (Fast-Track) program, called Convocation an experience she will never forget.
https://www.stclaircollege.ca/programs/hairstyling-fast-track
“It felt so good, I felt really accomplished,” she said. “We were in Windsor from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day, so this felt really good, knowing we worked so hard.”
An alumna of the College at 19, she’s already working in a salon and building up her clientele. “I’m right into it,” Dyck said.
The second session of Convocation featured more than 700 graduates from the School of Media, Art and Design, Zekelman School of Business, and Zekelman School of Information Technology.
Graduates in that session were treated to a keynote address from Bhupinder Singh, who spends his days entertaining audiences by jumping from the top ropes of a wrestling ring, trying to beat his opponents in Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling.
An Alumnus of Distinction in 2024, Singh traveled to Canada from India to study in the Human Resources program and Event Management program while learning the craft of wrestling on the side.
“It really means a lot to be invited here to speak. I moved here a couple of years ago with dreams in my eyes, and now I’m living my dream,” he said. “St. Clair played an important and precious role in my success.”
During his address to the graduating class, Singh echoed the slogan of St. Clair College, that students really can ‘Start here, go anywhere.”
“My story is not just about stepping into the wrestling ring, it’s about the decision to combine my passion for wrestling and the pursuit of an education,” Singh said. “This gave me an opportunity to pursue my wrestling dream while also developing my skills in human resources and event management.”
“We have faced challenges and uncertainties. Remember that the path forward is always about staying true to yourself, staying focused and being ready to seize every opportunity,” Singh said.
“For the next generation of dreamers and achievers, pursue your goals with all your heart, but remember it’s not just about the destination, it’s about the journey.”
In total, 1,750 students graduated during the two Convocation sessions in Windsor.
On Thursday, Oct. 3, 166 graduates from St. Clair College's Chatham Campus will collect their diplomas, certificates, or degrees at a convocation ceremony at the Capitol Theatre in downtown Chatham.
At two upcoming convocation ceremonies in Toronto, 698 students will graduate from Ace Acumen Academy.
For a list of all upcoming Fall Convocation ceremonies, click here.
