Beaming graduates, and their proud loved ones and friends, filled the Toronto Congress Centre to celebrate the accomplishments of Humber Polytechnic’s Fall 2024 Convocation graduating class.  
 
More than 3,000 graduating students were joined by their families and supporters to celebrate during the two days of ceremonies held on November 7 and 8. Convocation ceremonies were also livestreamed on Humber’s YouTube channel for those who couldn’t attend.  

 
Ajia Hartley gushed that it felt fantastic to have graduated from the Business Management program. The international student from Jamaica hopes to start  a small business and felt the program and its professors have prepared her for future success.  
 
Hartley says one of her favourite memories of Humber was seeing the Arboretum for the first time as the natural beauty of the space wowed her immediately.  

‘A rallying cry from a world in transition’
 
Humber President and CEO Ann Marie Vaughan told the graduating students that they have important roles to play in our collective future.  

“Graduates, today isn’t just an acknowledgement that you’ve finished your studies. It is a rallying cry from a world in transition that wants you to act, and that needs you to act,” said Vaughan. “And knowing what I know about the special and capable people in this room, I’m more than confident that you will.”  
 
“You are graduates who are equipped to bridge the divide between knowledge and action,” continued Vaughan. “You are curious and creative spirits who can transform innovation into impact. You are forward thinking, values-led, lifelong learners who see our profound challenges as a wonderful chance to excel. Your Humber education has prepared you for life-long employability, for further education or for whatever comes next on your journey.”  

Dillon Kong, who received a special shoutout along with his WorldSkills partner Paxton Coghlin from Vaughan during the Thursday afternoon ceremony, graduated from the Electromechanical Engineering Technology program.  
 
“It’s a good feeling and I’m excited to move onto the next chapter of my life,” said Kong, adding one of his fondest memories of his time at Humber was competing in Skills and representing both Humber and Canada on the world stage.  

 
Thanking friends and family
 
Cil Mariano works as a communication assistant with Humber’s Innovative Learning and was graduating from the Professional Writing and Communications program. Mariano took the course to improve important communication skills needed for work.
 
“It’s rewarding to graduate and very fulfilling to see all my hard work has paid off,” said Mariano.
 
Business Management graduate Rukayat Owolabi said it was an amazing feeling to graduate and that she was proud of herself, as it wasn’t an easy path. She thanked her friends and family for their love and support, saying they helped immeasurably on her post-secondary journey.  

 
There were plenty of tears, loud cheers and students dancing in the aisles with loved ones at what proved to be uplifting celebrations of the learners and their accomplishments.  
 
Jasmine Beausoleil worked for 14 years in a different sector before deciding to start a new career. She enrolled in Humber’s Funeral Director Class 1 (Embalming) program and is now working in the industry. As the first person in her immediate family to complete post-secondary, it was an important moment for Beausoleil and her parents, who joined her at Convocation.  

 
During convocation ceremonies, a video was played featuring the Ninjiichaag Drum Group, who are all members of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, performing an honour song to recognize the Humber graduates and their accomplishments. Humber also presented Indigenous students with Indigenous medallions to wear during convocation.

'Convocation is very special'
 
On November 7, Humber conferred an honorary degree to Indigenous advocate and former Olympian Waneek Horn-Miller as part of this year’s ceremonies.

 
Susan Kates, a coordinator and professor with the Business Management - Entrepreneurial Enterprise program, joked she might have been having more fun than the graduates. Following the ceremony, Kates was chatting with her students and taking photos.

“I’m so proud of them – they’re an amazing group that was fun to teach,” said Kates. “Convocation is very special and a time to celebrate our students’ hard work and achievements.”

 
Find out more, along with a list of past recipients and previous ceremonies, by visiting the Fall 2024 Convocation website.