Shawna Schellenberg, Master of Education (submitted photo/Lynette Gerski, Cumberland College)

By Ben Tompkins

Day of Celebration

Cumberland College hosts final graduation before upcoming merger with Parkland

Jun 8, 2023 | 5:07 PM

The end of one chapter and the start of another for Cumberland College.

Thursday’s graduation ceremony marked the final recipients of a Cumberland College specific diploma. The institution will be merging with Parkland College at the beginning of July.

“The graduation ceremony was very good,” interim CEO of Cumberland and Parkland College, Alison Dubreuil told northeastNOW. “It was symbolic because it was the last grad with the Cumberland College name, however, we know that graduation celebrations in the future will continue.”

“We really focused on our students and their achievements, as they work hard to cross the stage and having their family and friends presence is also an important focal point of our ceremony.”

The ceremony was held at the Kerry Vickar Centre in Melfort, and also marked the first time that graduates from Melfort, Nipawin, and Tisdale all celebrated together under one roof.

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“It certainly was an opportunity to celebrate all our students’ success under one roof, and we also did recognize the work of the incredible staff that also contribute and help make these accomplishments possible,” explained Dubreuil.

“We had a grad committee who made that decision, as it was really just a way to celebrate all their success. Putting together these events and ceremonies, to be able to do them in a genuine way and make sure that we’re honouring and celebrating was something that was decided to be done here in Melfort, and I think it was truly a success and I look forward to the future graduations as well.”

The ceremony commenced with an acapella rendition of ‘O Canada’ by Kara Frey, an alumna of the Adult Education and Practical Nursing program.

Following that, the Digging Bear Drum Group from James Smith Cree Nation took the stage to perform the Honour Song.

The ceremony also attracted dignitaries, including Cindy Sass on behalf of Randy Hoback, MP for Prince Albert Riding, and MLA Todd Goudy, representing the Melfort Constituency. Glenn George, the Mayor of Melfort, and Corinna Stevenson, Co-Chairperson of the merging colleges, joined in on the occasion, as well.

Meanwhile, Shirley Sanderson, an Elder from the James Smith Cree Nation, offered her blessings and words of encouragement to the graduates.

“Within the ceremony, we made recognition that it was symbolic because things are changing, which marks a new chapter in our organization’s life and also for our graduates as that day is a representation of new beginnings and a new chapter for them as well,” Dubreuil said.

“We really just tried to focus on our students, as it truly is the best day of the year for colleges to have these ceremonies and have the students walk across the stage.”

This year’s graduating class consisted of students from various programs, including Adult Basic Education, Agricultural Sciences, Carpentry, Continuing Care Assistant, Early Childhood Education, General Business, Health Care Cook, Office Administration, Practical Nursing, and a Master of Education degree.

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news@northeastnow.com

On Twitter @BenTompkins_8