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For Ajeet Paul, completing his diploma in Environmental Studies at Okanagan proved to be a journey of learning and personal growth, capped off with a whirlwind final semester as he and his classmates overcame the unexpected challenge of graduating in a pandemic.

Paul is one of more than 2,000 students who will graduate from ������Ƶ this year, and although his credential is on its way to him by mail, he’ll need to wait a little while longer to be able to don his cap and gown.

Earlier this spring, after surveying graduating students on their preferences for virtual or in-person ceremonies, the College made the decision to postpone its June convocation ceremonies until the time comes when the events can be held face-to-face.

“It goes without saying that Convocation is one of the most special times of year for the ������Ƶ community,” says ������Ƶ President Jim Hamilton. “And so, while we’re saddened to not be hosting ceremonies right now, we congratulate all our graduating students. We are thinking of you, and we look forward to a day in the future when we can all get together, in-person, to celebrate your accomplishments.”

To honour the graduates of 2020, the College recently produced a convocation film, assembling messages of support and congratulations from all corners of the ������Ƶ community, along with a message from the Honourable Melanie Mark, B.C. Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training, Mark and many other members of the ������Ƶ community. Click to watch the video.

“Over the past few months, it’s been very heartening to see the way in which our students and employees have supported and encouraged one another. This video is one of many examples of that positivity and community spirit that makes ������Ƶ such a special place,” adds Hamilton.

A sense of community is something Paul found, and seized the opportunity to help foster, during his studies.

For Paul, who made the transition to online learning back in March, he says the pandemic reminded him of his first semester, when like many, he had to adjust to a new way of life as a first-year student.

Fortunately for Paul, he quickly found his stride in the collaborative, interdisciplinary approach of the Environmental Studies diploma; he gravitated to the natural resource management stream.

“The program opened the door to so many possibilities,” he says. “The environment is so dynamic and so many people have different opinions on it. I had always been interested in the environment and not just reading about the science part of it but how people are affected by it, the impact they have, and vice versa.”

Naturally outgoing, he says he made it a priority not just to learn, but to help foster dialogue and a positive atmosphere in the classroom. He found a group of peers with a similar mindset, yet he relished the way in which they challenged him with their own opinions.

“By my third and fourth semesters, I found my people and we ended up doing really neat projects together,” says Paul.

������Ƶ normally hosts eight ceremonies throughout the year, beginning with Winter Convocation in January, followed by Spring and Summer Convocation in June.