Graduation ceremony a family affair

When Laurie Niskanen started taking Confederation College’s human resources management program part-time in 2004, she never imagined she’d be collecting her diploma in the same graduation ceremony as her daughter Maija Zucchiatti.

While the two never took a class together, they both crossed the finish line beaming with pride and family, friends and co-workers cheering them on.

"I’m very proud for both of us and probably more proud for her than myself," said Zucchiatti. "She’s been at this for a few more years than I have but I’m very excited and proud."

For Niskanen, graduation has been a long time coming.

"I started in 2004, so taking 13 courses one-at-a-time seemed like it was going to last forever but I’m here now and I’m really happy about it," she said.

The mother-daughter team were just two of this year’s class of 1,440 students, the largest graduation class the college has ever had.

President Pat Lang attributes the record size to an increase in enrolment; Confederation College witnessed a 14 per cent increase in students last fall and expects classes to keep growing. They have an eight per cent increase in applications for the upcoming fall school year.

And with so many students graduating, Lang isn’t worried if there are enough jobs in the workforce.

"Many of the graduates do have jobs," she said. "Other graduates are going off to university to pursue a degree and there are others still looking, but everybody was filled with hope and aspiration today that they were going to be successful in the job market."

And while she’s attended a number of convocations, Lang said each one is special.

"Every class is different," she said. "They all have a different story to tell. It’s being able to share that day with them that makes it special. We saw a lot of mature graduates today who had surprised themselves, who never dreamt they’d cross a post-secondary stage in their lives … It’s those very special moments that make each and every graduation special."