Vancouver Island University is holding convocation ceremonies this week as thousands of students move on from VIU's stairs to the next steps in their lives.
The university is holding five ceremonies over four days Monday through Thursday, June 9-12, at the VIU gymnasium, marking graduation for 4,000 students.
At the afternoon ceremony on Monday, Claire Grogan, acting provost and vice-president, academic, said the connections made at VIU will continue to support students post-graduation, and she said those sorts of connections enrich lives, open doors to new opportunities and foster resilience and empathy.
"As you take the next steps, I encourage you to keep engaging in dialogue, to listen with curiosity and an open mind and to seek out perspectives different from your own, and above all, to always do so with kindness and compassion," she said.
VIU's chancellor Judith Sayers, Cloy-e-iis, told the students that as graduates, they are role models, and that should be exciting and a source of pride, but also motivation to go out into the world and achieve. She said she sees in them a "fire" that they can change the world.
"Whatever your world is, make those changes. We need those changes," she said.
Nanaimo-Lantzville MLA George Anderson, a 2015 grad, welcomed this year's graduates to becoming VIU alumni and encouraged them to stay connected. He urged them not to accept limits placed by others and instead define their own.
"When history knocks, as it always does, answer without hesitation, but with purpose…" he said. "Go forth with courage and represent VIU with pride."
Giving the valedictory speech was Daniela Sotomayor, who graduated with a bachelor of arts, majoring in media studies. The international student from Ecuador said being named valedictorian doesn't mean she never struggled, it means she never gave up, and she told her fellow grads to follow their dreams.
"I came here from the middle of the world with nothing but a few suitcases, my dreams, and a heart full of hope and fear. I didn't know exactly where this dream would take me, but I trusted the process," she said. "Now I'm leaving here with a degree, lifelong memories, friendships and a heart overflowing with pride and gratitude."
