Two years later, 2020 TRU graduates walk the stage

It was a noticeably smaller crowd, as many of the former students have been out of school since 2020, and are now busy working, pursuing other degrees or living in other cities.

“I finished two years ago and then I opened a business here in Kamloops. I opened the African restaurant, Tobilicious, downtown,” explains Oluwatobi Akinwuni. The local business owner graduated with a master’s degree in business back in 2020.

“I’ve just been running my business and just enjoying life as a graduate.”

“I got married, got a dog, renovated my house, opened a business and had a kid,” laughs Andrew McGowan. Two years ago, McGowan completed his bachelor’s degree with a focus on economics and entrepreneurship.

Technically, all of the graduates have been alumni for two years, but now that the in-person formalities could take place, they were given a proper welcome.

Dustin McIntyre is TRU’s alumni manager and spent the afternoon running a social event in the gymnasium for the new grads.

“It’s really exciting. We were nervous, we didn’t know how people would respond. We’ve never done this new alumni welcome reception before but it’s going off without a hitch. We’re so happy to have people back on campus celebrating, and it’s what we work for here.”

Some former students say returning to campus for the ceremony felt like a delayed reunion of sorts, but were ultimately glad to have the cap and gown experience after two years of postponement.

“Even though I’ve already gotten my diploma in the mail and my name was on the end credits when they did that (video) two years ago, still the ceremony is something special,” says Idan Jacobs, who graduated with a post-baccalaureate diploma in human resources management.

“I think it’s important and I appreciated that my supervisor allowed me to take time off and participate.”

Click here to access the convocation schedule on TRU’s website.

by Dylana Kneeshaw

Two years later, 2020 TRU graduates walk the stage

Our Community