Okanagan College will celebrate the accomplishments of more than 1,300 graduates at a series of Convocation and Commencement ceremonies this weekend.

The College will confer 457 credentials, including bachelor degrees (201), associate degrees (45) and diplomas (211), to students from a variety of programs during two Convocation ceremonies held on Saturday. A separate Commencement ceremony honouring the achievements of more than 800 Trades students will take place on Friday, followed by a Commencement ceremony for 44 Continuing Studies graduates on Saturday.

This weekend’s graduates are just some of the more than 1,500 Okanagan College students who have earned credentials during the 2008/09 academic year. Ninety-seven Practical Nurses received credentials at previously held ceremonies in Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton and Salmon Arm; and 142 graduates received credentials at Winter Convocation in January.

A Summer Convocation honouring diploma and certificate graduates from Health, Applied Business and Trades programs will confer more credentials on June 25, 2009.

“We are honoured to recognize the achievements of our largest-ever graduating class this weekend,” said Okanagan College President Jim Hamilton. “We take a great deal of pride in the success of our students and are pleased to be able to share the experience with our students’ friends, families and supporters.”

The Trades Commencement begins Friday evening at 6 p.m., when students will be recognized for completing entry-level and apprenticeship programs. Top students in a variety of trades will receive awards and an industry speaker will address the graduates. More than 120 students will attend Friday’s ceremony, just a portion of the 800 students who completed entry-level or apprenticeship credentials over the course of the past year.

A morning Convocation ceremony will take place on Saturday, June 6 at 11 a.m. for 124 degree and diploma graduates from a range of programs in Health, Technologies, Arts, Science and Computer Information Systems. An afternoon ceremony honouring 333 Business degree and diploma graduates will begin at 2:30 p.m.

Continuing Studies graduates will be honoured at a Commencement ceremony on Saturday morning at 9 a.m. They will celebrate the completion of a variety of certificate programs including: Medical Office Assistant, Education Assistant and Teaching English as a Second Language, among others.

Two Honorary Fellows will also be recognized at Saturday’s Convocation ceremonies. Barbara Marchand will be honoured at the 11 a.m. session while Charles Armstrong will receive the distinction during the afternoon ceremony at 2:30 p.m. A third Honorary Fellow, Robert Fine, will be recognized at the Summer Convocation ceremony on June 25 at 7 p.m.