Fall TRU Convocation (Image credit: CFJC)

By Connor Gunn

2022 FALL CONVOCATION

TRU grads walk stage Friday as fall convocation honours long-time professor

Oct 14, 2022 | 4:43 PM

KAMLOOPS — Thompson Rivers University (TRU) graduates strolled the stage Friday (Oct. 14) for the fall convocation ready to face the world after graduation.

“Seeing the students cross the stage seeing the new graduates… it’s just so exciting what they’re going to do with all that they have learned and the difference they’re going to make in so many professions in so many communities,” says TRU President Dr. Brett Fairbairn.

More than 100 grads were honoured in the ceremony but they weren’t alone.

Dr. Tom Dickinson, who recently retired after a 32-year career, was recognized as a Professor Emeritus. He helped expand many of the programs at TRU, including its first graduate program.

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Dickinson reflected on the changes the school has undergone.

“I can remember the very first convocation we held in the old gym in 1991. It means that we’ve come a long way since that one day where we had one graduate in that Bachelor of Science degree,” says Dickinson.

Dickinson walked the stage just like the grads on Friday and says he’s hopeful for the future of the school and is proud he played a hand in its growth. He says TRU will help shape the next generation of academics.

“All the [students] that we saw go across the stage today are going to be important in building a society that is respectful and is going to move us forward out of some of these challenges,” Dickinson adds.

As new grads prepare for the workforce and finding employment, they have high hopes in securing jobs.

“I don’t think of it as such of a labour shortage — it’s a people shortage. Having so many grads is going to be great for all of our economies within the Thompson and Okanagan regions,” says one graduate.

“I’m quite hopeful about being in this town and hopefully I get a job right away,” adds another grad.

“There’s a lot of change in the job market and the good news for graduates is there’s a lot of demand for skilled people who can contribute in skilled ways. The prospects for graduates have probably never been stronger,” Fairbairn added.

Graduates were from the fine arts, nursing, tourism, trades and other programs at Friday’s ceremony and Fairbairn says the newest group is ready for the next step of their journey.

“They’re trained and they’re prepared to deal with and that’s a real hopeful sign for the future it really fills me with hope and confidence to see our graduates.”