Virtual Convocation

Braeden Rahn

Braeden Rahn is receiving the Governor General’s Academic Silver Medal and the Bachelor of Business Administration Academic Medal. Braeden completed the BBA Honours Degree program with the highest graduating grade average of 95.75 and graduated with distinction.

Braeden lived in Revelstoke since Kindergarten and graduated from Revelstoke Secondary. He has been working full-time at a law firm for the past 12 years and completed his degree while continuing to work. Braeden has applied for the Juris Doctor program at several universities and plans to start next fall.  

He had a fantastic experience at OC saying the BBA program is, “a great business program with a lot of opportunity to gain extra experience.” He competed in the Inter-Collegiate Business Competition at Queen’s University. He says, “You get out of it what you put in.”
 

Lisa Van Bostelen

Lisa Van Bostelen is receiving the Governor General’s Collegiate Bronze medal, which is presented to the graduate in an associate degree or diploma program with the highest graduating grade average.

Lisa completed the Therapist Assistant Diploma program with a graduating grade average of 96.86 and graduated with distinction.

Lisa is from Kelowna and graduated from Okanagan Mission Secondary in 1989. Several years ago she worked as an occupational therapist and returned to the classroom after a 10-year break to upgrade and get back into the workforce. 

Lisa is currently working for Interior Health in both Oliver and Penticton.
 

Eric Pells

Eric Pells is receiving the Lieutenant Governor’s Silver Medal for Vocational Studies, which is presented to the graduate with the highest graduating grade average in a vocational certificate program.

Eric completed the Electrician Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate program with a graduating grade average of 98.00 and graduated with distinction.

Eric was born in Calgary but moved to and grew up in Kelowna since 1994. He is currently working as an electrician apprentice at company in Vernon that does construction and home renovations.

Eric was nervous to return to post-secondary stating that his first experience 12 years earlier wasn’t a positive one, but he enjoyed his time at OC saying the instructors were great and the foundation program is valuable for anyone getting into the trade.
 

Jordan Sawchuk

Jordan Sawchuk is receiving the President’s Award for a Diploma Program and the Associate of Science Degree Medal. The President’s Award is presented to two graduates who have successfully completed an associate degree or diploma program with the highest graduating grade average (excluding the Governor General’s Collegiate Bronze Medal). The Associate of Science Degree Medal is presented to the graduate with the highest graduating grade average in the program.

Jordan completed the Associate of Science degree with a graduating grade average of 96.15 and graduated with distinction. 

Jordan is from Armstrong and completed high school there. He is currently studying at the University of British Columbia Okanagan with majors in both math and physics. 
 

Andrew Kraus

Andrew Kraus is receiving the President’s Award for a Diploma program which is presented to two graduates who have successfully completed an associate degree or diploma program with the highest graduating grade average (excluding the Governor General’s Collegiate Bronze Medal). Andrew completed the Water Engineering Technology Diploma program with a graduating grade average of 95.90 and graduated with distinction.

Andrew is from Gibsons, B.C. and came to Kelowna to take the program. After Andrew completed the Water Engineering Technology diploma he worked for six months for a multidisciplinary firm, Onsite Engineering Ltd. He is currently attending Lakehead University working on his civil engineering degree and plans to plans to work as a civil engineer.

Andrew's describes his experience at OC as positive, both in terms of the quality of education and friendships made. He learned valuable information and useful hands-on skills from his instructors and alongside a collaborative class. He would consider himself lucky to get the opportunity to collaborate with his instructors or classmates again in the future. 

Chun-Han Lin

Chun-Han Lin is receiving the President’s Award for a Diploma program which is presented to two graduates who have successfully completed an associate degree or diploma program with the highest graduating grade average (excluding the Governor General’s Collegiate Bronze Medal).

Chun-Han completed the Therapist Assistant Diploma program with a graduating grade average of 96.28 and graduated with distinction.

Chun-Han moved to Kelowna from Taiwan two years ago to complete the Therapist Assistant Diploma program. He credits his supportive instructors for his success and says his experience at OC was amazing and really valued the hands-on experience.

Chun-Han will be starting a job as a therapist assistant soon with Vancouver Coastal Health.
 

Lauren Spearey

Lauren Spearey is receiving the President’s Award for a Diploma program which is presented to two graduates who have successfully completed an associate degree or diploma program with the highest graduating grade average (excluding the Governor General’s Collegiate Bronze Medal).

Lauren completed the Therapist Assistant Diploma program with a graduating grade average of 96.14 and graduated with distinction.

Lauren graduated high school in Saskatchewan in 2012 and moved to Kelowna, not specially for the Therapist Assistant program, but happy she ended up there. She is currently working for Interior Health as a Rehabilitation Assistant in a long-term care facility in Penticton. 

Lauren describes her experience in the Therapist Assistant program as amazing and that she learned so much about herself while completing the program. She feels she’s found the right career and couldn’t be happier. 

Amanda Roberts

Amanda Roberts is receiving the President’s Award for a Certificate program which is presented to two graduates who have successfully completed a vocational certificate program with the highest graduating grade average (excluding the Lieutenant Governor’s Silver Medal).

Amanda completed the Administrative Assistant Certificate program with a graduating grade average of 97.86 and graduated with distinction.

Amanda is from Vernon and graduated from Clarence Fulton Secondary in 2013. She took the Administrative Assistant program at the Vernon campus and works for Clark Robinson Chartered Professional Accountants in Vernon. Amanda started there before she graduated in March and has worked there since. Amanda would like to continue working for the accounting firm to gain more experience and eventually further her education in accounting. 

She says OC made it easy for her to succeed while making it enjoyable at the same time. Coming to OC after being out of school for a few years made her realize it’s never too late to go back and pursue a career. 

Lorraine Drzimotta

Lorraine Drzimotta is receiving the President’s Award for a Certificate program which is presented to two graduates who have successfully completed a vocational certificate program with the highest graduating grade average (excluding the Lieutenant Governor’s Silver Medal).

Lorraine completed the Health Care Assistant Certificate program with a graduating grade average of 97.20 and graduated with distinction.

Lorraine decided to go back to school and pursue a career as an HCA after caring for her own mother and mother-in-law until end of life. She was encouraged by her children who called her a natural caregiver. 

She is currently a live-in care aide for a 92-year-old man in Surrey, BC. 

Susan Kyle

Susan Kyle is receiving the President’s Award for a Certificate program which is presented to two graduates who have successfully completed a vocational certificate program with the highest graduating grade average (excluding the Lieutenant Governor’s Silver Medal).

Susan completed the Health Care Assistant Certificate program with a graduating grade average of 97.20 and graduated with distinction.

Susan was 60 years old when she decided to return to the classroom. Her mother had dementia and she enrolled in the program to learn more about her mother’s condition and how to successfully care for her. 

After she graduated she worked in Revelstoke for a year. She is now living in Salmon Arm and plans to open a business doing in-home care.

Brandon Chesley

Brandon Chesley is receiving the Bachelor of Computer Information Systems Academic Medal, which is presented to the graduate with the highest graduating grade average in the degree program. 

Brandon completed the BCIS degree at the Kelowna campus with a graduating grade average of 89.20 and graduated with distinction. 

Brandon is originally from Williams Lake and came to Okanagan College to study BCIS. He currently works as a build engineer for QHR Technologies.

Kenzie Gorjanc

Kenzie Gorjanc is receiving the Associate of Arts Degree Academic Medal, which is presented to the graduate with the highest graduating grade average in the degree program. 

Kenzie completed the Associate of Arts degree with a graduating grade average of 93.67 and graduated with distinction. 

Kenzie is from Kelowna and graduated from Kelowna Secondary in 2017. She was pleased with how easy the transition from high school to OC was, noting that the College’s small class sizes and welcoming professors made for a positive experience.

She is currently studying psychology online at UBCO and then plans to pursue grad studies in psychiatry or clinical counselling.