Congratulations to over 2,500 BCIT students who are crossing the convocation stage this week. We celebrate their achievements and welcome them in now joining the community of 215,000 BCIT alumni who are making a difference across 110 countries.
Each ceremony begun with the land acknowledgement that our campuses are located on the unceded traditional territories of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations. William George Thomas from the Tsleil-Waututh Nation then led the procession into the auditorium and brought a welcome from the Coast Salish Peoples. Indigenous Women’s Ensemble M’Girl followed with a traditional welcome and celebration song.
Throughout each ceremony, graduates received words of wisdom from keynote speakers, representatives from the BCIT Alumni Association, and their class valedictorian.
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Tuesday, June 23, 10:00 am
The first ceremony celebrated over 400 grads from the BCIT School of Business + Media in Accounting, Finance, Insurance and Marketing Management.
The keynote for this ceremony was Ryan Benn, CEO and Group Publisher at Alive Publishing Group and Canada Wide Media.
Towards the end of the ceremony, BCIT Alumni Association representative Betty Riddle, Manager, Advancement and Communications introduced valedictorian Felix Omondi. Felix is a graduate of the General Insurance and Risk Management Diploma. Sharing his personal experiences, he reminded the graduating class that we are more alike than we are different. In his speech, Felix congratulated each one of the graduates who have shown remarkable dedication by showing up day in and day out throughout their BCIT journey.
“So as we move forward, let’s be confident that we are well equipped. Equipped to make new friends. Equipped to set a goal and achieve it. Equipped to rise beyond difficult moments. Equipped to make a difference,” shared Felix.
Tuesday, June 23, 2:30 pm
Almost 500 students from the BCIT School of Business + Media’s Business Administration, Business Management and Operations Management.
Mark Hermans, Retired President, Microsoft Business Unit, Argano LLC was the keynote speaker for this ceremony.
Valedictorian Ethan Van Dyk, who is graduating from the Bachelor of Business Administration – Global Business program, shared his personal journey to becoming the graduate he is today at BCIT. At the end of his speech, Ethan said very eloquently, “We chose to come here not because we knew exactly where it would lead, but because we believed that the person waiting on the other side would be worth becoming, even if the journey was hard.”
Wednesday, June 24, 10:00 am
The third ceremony welcomed 390 students from the School of Business + Media‘s programs in Broadcast and Media Communications, Digital Arts, Media, and Design, and Human Resource Management.
Keynote speaker Laurie Murdoch, Senior Vice President of People and Organizations, Sony Pictures Entertainment, addressed the graduating class.
Following the keynote presentation, Jennifer Figner, Vice President and Provost, BCIT Academic, recognized Robert Nason as Faculty Emeritus. BCIT grants Emeritus status to former faculty who have shown significant accomplishments and contributions to their industry and academia.
Robert Nason worked in television production since 1962 and began his career at BCIT in 1971. Over his 55-year tenure at BCIT as an instructor in Broadcast and Media Communications, he has taught well over 1,000 students. His impressive resume includes directing and producing roles in New York and London. He also holds a Master of Professional Studies in Interactive Telecommunications Management form New York University.
Colleagues and alumni describe Robert as a “legend” and his legacy is reflected across BC’s media industry. Many of BC’s TV personalities, producers, news anchors, and directors are made up of graduates taught and mentored by Robert.
Dr. Candy Ho represented the BCIT Alumni Association and welcomed graduates as they crossed the stage to join a global network of BCIT alumni.
Next, valedictorian Savannah Hamilton from the Strategic Human Resources Management diploma program delivered her speech to peers. Savannah spoke about the value in leading with kindness and love, as well as to step out of comfort zones. “Everyone of us stepped outside our comfort zone when we chose BCIT. We challenges ourselves, we changed direction, we worked through uncertainty, and we kept going even when things felt uncomfortable.”
Wednesday, June 24, 2:30 pm
The fourth ceremony celebrated more than 430 students from the School of Health Sciences. John McCarthy, Vice President of McCarthy Properties, delivered the keynote speech.
On behalf of the BCIT Alumni Association, Mandy Harris officially welcomed graduates in joining the BCIT Alumni community. In wrapping up the ceremony, Valedictorian Shervin Laghie from the Occupational Health and Safety diploma program delivered his address to the graduating class. Shervin recognized the impact of each graduate in creating a supportive and thriving environment for all students.
Thursday, June 25, 10:00 am
The fifth ceremony celebrated over 230 graduates from the School of Energy.
Nigel Bennett, Co-Founder of Aqua-Guard Spill Response Incorporated was the keynote speaker. Class valedictorian Simone Chiang from the Master of Engineering in Smart Grid Systems and Technologies program spoke about the role of growth. “Growth doesn’t announce itself with fanfare. It shows up quietly in the moments we almost gave up, and in the times we chose to keep going even when the path ahead felt uncertain.”
Amanda Gomes represented the BCIT Alumni Association and welcomed graduates who now enter the workforce as proud BCIT alum.
Simone added, “Growth rarely happens when things are easy. We faced demanding courses, tight deadlines, and moments of doubt. Yet we are here today because we became more resilient. We learned to rise after setbacks and to keep moving forward together.” She also reminded her peers on the importance of asking for help. “We learned that asking for help is wisdom, not weakness.” In closing, Simone shared, “We arrived as individuals, but we leave as a community. Ready for whatever comes next.”
Thursday, June 25, 2:30 pm
More than 400 students from the School of Computing and Academic Studies and School of Transportation crossed the stage as their loved ones celebrated them in becoming graduates.
BCIT Bachelor of Technology alum Trevor Clark was the keynote speaker. Trevor is Co-Founder and CTO of Industrio AI. Under Trevor’s leadership, Industrio AI is building a common operating platform for the FIFA World Cup for the City of Vancouver. With over 25 years of experience designing, building, and managing software and IT teams, Trevor’s career spans start-ups to global enterprises.
Prior to Industrio, Trevor led IT strategy for Microsoft in Western Canada and spent a decade in the video game industry.
On behalf of the BCIT Retirees Association, Brian Antonson welcomed the graduating class in joining the community of BCIT alumni.
Valedictorian Abigail Calivoso from the Aviation Management and Operations diploma program emphasized the importance of small acts of kindness. “Sometimes the smallest acts of kindness leave a bigger mark than the effort it takes to give them.” She challenged her peer to pay it forward with small of acts of kindness.
Friday, June 26, 10:00 am
Around 400 students from the School of Construction and the Environment crossed the stage at the closing ceremony of the 2026 BCIT Convocation.
The graduating class heard from keynote speaker Kim Haakstad, President and CEO of the BC Council of Forest Industries, the leading voice for BC’s forest sector. With over 20 years of experience at the intersection of business and government, Kim previously served as VP of External Relations at a cleantech firm and held senior advisory roles in the BC government, including Deputy Chief of Staff to the Premier and Chief of Staff to Cabinet Ministers.
Following the keynote presentation, Jennifer Figner, Vice President and Provost, BCIT Academic, recognized Dr. Jennie Moore as Faculty Emeritus. BCIT grants Emeritus status to former faculty who have shown significant accomplishments and contributions to their industry and academia.
Jennie served as the Institute’s first Director of Sustainable Development and Environmental Stewardship, Associate Dean in Building Design and Construction Technology, and later Director, Institute Sustainability. Throughout her storied career, she strived to create opportunities for BCIT students and employees to advance a more sustainable future for all.
At the end of the ceremony, Mike Battisel from the BCIT Alumni Association welcomed the graduating class to the BCIT alumni community, and introduced their valedictorian.
Valedictorian Caitey Gilchrist from the Ecological Restoration Bachelor of Science program congratulated her peers. Her third time graduating from BCIT, Caitey had plenty of wisdom to share. Notably, she emphasized the importance of prioritizing mental health, reminding them that: “Your wellbeing is worth it. You are worth it.”