McMaster University Centre for Continuing Education celebrates 528 graduates, inclusion and community at awards and graduation ceremony

More than 500 graduates earned certificates and diplomas from McMaster University’s Centre for Continuing Education in 2015/16, celebrated at a ceremony held November 10 at Hamilton Place.

Dr. Lorraine Carter, Director of McMaster CCE, was the master of ceremonies. Addressing graduates and guests, she congratulated students on their accomplishments and set the tone for the evening.

“Before we proceed to the formal part of this event, I want to share two thoughts that I believe are important given what is occurring in various part of our world. The first is that Canada is defined by values of kindness, inclusion, equity, and a sense of the inherent worth of all people, and it is in this spirit we gather tonight.

“Second, I want to share my renewed resolve to ensure these values within the context of McMaster CCE, and I ask for your help in doing this. Should you as a graduating student or staff member or community member have ideas whereby the Centre for Continuing Education can enhance its practice of these values, I would be honoured to hear from you.”

Graduates also heard from one of their own. Marilyn Mekhail is a recent McMaster CCE graduate of the accounting program.

“The opportunity to study at McMaster University through the Centre for Continuing Education after I arrived from Egypt in 2011 has been a life changing experience for me. I found programs that are professionally-focused and highly qualified teachers who work in their fields and are willing to share their experiences.

“For me, this was a lifetime investment and a huge ‘value add’ to my Canadian experience as an Accounting Manager. In short, I found a guide to my new journey of becoming a chartered accountant in the near future. While my journey had diverse and unpredictable challenges, I always experienced a supportive learning family within the CCE community.”

Sean Van Koughnett, McMaster University Associate Vice-President (Students & Learning) and Dean of Students, congratulated everyone and inspired graduates with a quote from WB Yeats.

“Education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire,” he said.

McMaster CCE recognized 20 students for academic excellence in the fields of Accounting, Addiction Education, Business Administration, Case Management, Clinical Research, Health Informatics, Health Information Management, Human Resources Management, Marketing, Public Relations, Web Design, Web Design & Development, Ogweho:weh Language and Metallurgy. Awards were presented by members of the community involved in the respective fields. A full list of academic award winners appears below.

Addiction studies graduate Zahra Wells took home the Centennial Award which recognizes graduates who demonstrate outstanding community achievement or who overcome adverse circumstances while completing their studies.

Four instructors received awards for exemplary teaching: Glenys Causton for the Addiction Careworker diploma, Cole Gately for the Leadership in Community Engagement Certificate, Becky Idems for the Leadership in Community Engagement Certificate, and Anil Gupta for the Lean Six Sigma program.

CCE also presented special appreciation awards to Karolyn White with the City of Hamilton and Shahad Al-Saqqar, representing the Hamilton Community Foundation’s Neighbourhood Leadership Institute.

McMaster Alumni president Don Brigman recognized the outstanding efforts of the graduates to balance multiple priorities in their lives.

Thousands of students participate in professional and continuing education programs at McMaster CCE every year. To create an individual study plan, or to register for classes, visit the website or call 905-525-9140 x24321.

Recipients of the Awards of Academic Excellence in Certificate and Diploma Programs:

BUSINESS & MANAGEMENT

Certificate in Advanced Accounting Amanda Harris

Diploma in Accounting Mary Fernandes

Certificate in Business Administration Kristin Mullin

Diploma in Business Administration Kristina Shea

Diploma in Human Resources Management Garima Kapoor

COMMUNICATION & DESIGN

Diploma in Marketing Linda Mirabelli

Certificate in Public Relations Laura Vertucci

Diploma in Public Relations Management Greg Cowell

Certificate in Web Design Catherine Zagar

Certificate in Web Design & Development Manpreet Singh

Diploma in Web Design & Development Kevin Moxon

HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES

Addiction Careworker Diploma Jane Van Toen

Addiction Studies Certificate Judy Hayward

Certificate in Case Management Cameal Sinclair

Clinical Research Associate Certificate Pauline Gulasingam

Diploma in Health Informatics Diamond Watson-Hill

Diploma in Health Information Management Kennis Dick

Ogweho:weh Language Diploma, Mohawk Gasenneeyoh Crawford

ArcelorMittal Dofasco Award
Certificate in Metallurgy of Iron and Steel Brett Johnson