Monday night marked the first ever graduating class at the Huron-Bruce Fanshawe campuses.
A total of 88 graduates were honoured in a ceremony attended by faculty, Fanshawe board members, local politicians, and friends and family.
Heather Mackenzie-Card, Fanshawe academic service consultant for the Huron-Bruce sites, says it's a special day for the school.
"We're excited and so happy for the graduates, they've all worked so hard to get to this point, and we're very proud that we're able to offer the programming in a rural community, in Huron-Bruce," she says. "I think that's an added benefit to the community, because most of our graduates are staying in the community to continue on with employment."
Former Huron-Bruce MPP Helen Johns was the guest speaker, and received an honorary diploma from the college. Mackenzie-Card notes having programs in the area is a great benefit to local students.
"I think those are all added values and stepping stones for local students to be able to say I can go to school locally, and carry on into other academic areas as well," says Johns. "So there's lots of opportunities for these students which is a great thing for Huron-Bruce."
Mackenzie-Card says the variety of programs offered in the area is also a benefit to students and employers.
"I think that's a benefit, too, that most of the programs have a placement or mentor-ship involved, so that is a great opportunity for employers to try out our students, and the students are going on to find employment very quickly," she says.
Fanshawe President Peter Devlin, right, presents guest speaker Helen Johns, former Huron-Bruce MPP, with an honorary degree at the graduation ceremony of the first ever graduating class for the Huron-Bruce Fanshawe campuses. October 16, 2017 (Photo by Ryan Drury)