A Masterful Graduation Ceremony in Vancouver

NYIT-Vancouver’s Class of 2017 was honored at the university’s sixteenth graduation ceremony and luncheon on May 26 at the Vancity Theatre. The celebrating began the day before at an alumni reception at the Gallery Café in the Vancouver Art Gallery, where more than 65 alumni and new graduates reconnected and networked with new contacts. In addition to the celebrations in Vancouver, 18 graduates had previously attended NYIT’s general commencement ceremony in New York, where they marched with approximately 3,000 fellow graduates.

Guest speaker Franci Stratton, vice chair of the North Vancouver Board of Education, offered this piece of advice to the graduating class: “Think about what you want your life to be. Not just your work life, but your whole life: your relationships, your contribution, your legacy…Then make it happen.” Vancouver Campus Dean Irene Young and faculty members Sinan Caykoylu, Ph.D., and Ahmed Awad, Ph.D., also addressed the assembly.

In congratulatory remarks, NYIT Interim President Rahmat Shoureshi, Ph.D., reminded graduates that, in addition to their successes, failures form an important part of their education. “These moments [of disappointment] are the vital steps everyone must take to grow wise,” he said.

Finally, graduates Ling Dai (M.B.A.) and Victor Badejo (M.S.) were recognized as 2017’s outstanding student leaders. Dai also gave the valedictory address. She told her fellow graduates, “Don’t sit around and wait for the perfect moment. Take the moment and make it perfect!”