Words of Wisdom and Inspiration from Convocation Honourees

Dr. Vera Etches – Honorary Degree
Medical Officer of Health for Ottawa Public Health
Faculty of Health, Public Safety & Community Studies
“I’m inspired by today’s graduating classes, by you, for finding a way to complete your studies without the usual supports in place. Many of you had to juggle studies, different ways of working or loss of employment and online school for children at the same time. We know we can do hard things and we are not alone. We know we will see better days. Each of you will be part of these better days and I hope you will continue to support each other as you transition to work. Peer support can be so helpful. I also know that making time to care for yourself will allow you to make time to care for others. Keep your own well-being as a priority.”

Sheldon Keefe – Honorary Degree
Coach, Toronto Maple Leafs
Pembroke Campus
“But, one thing I reflect on the most is that I didn’t have all the answers when I was there. And you won’t have the answers now, leaving and pursuing your careers. But not having the answers is OK. What I think you learn through that is you’ve got more to learn. Continue to push, continue to pursue knowledge. Continue to be coached. I’m very fortunate in that I get to be able to coach players at the highest level in the National Hockey League, but those players pursue being great and they want information. They want to be pushed, they want to be challenged ‘cuz they too know they have greater heights to get to and they need help to get there. So, accept coaching along the way. Don’t push back on it, people are there to assist. There are many people out there who love to give back, love to help and you will rely on them. The may be colleagues, they may be family, they may be friends, but accept your coaching, that’s important.”

John Ruddy – Honorary Degree
Executive Chairman, Trinity Development Group
Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence
“I hope as you move forward in your careers you remember that community building is far more than designing construction, it’s also about making your community a better place to live in. You do that by giving back. By giving back to learning institutions, health care facilities and its arts and culture groups.”

Steve Paikin – Honorary Degree
Host of TVO’s The Agenda
Faculty of Arts, Media and Design and Language Institute
“If all of you leave this virtual ceremony today with a view toward being more kind and more civil, I think that’s a good thing. I think society could use a lot more of that. I try to do that every day and I hope you will as well. The second thing is, boy the world is a messed up place today, and we will need you and your generation to fix it. Fortunately, you’ve been well educated to do that. Once my generation starts to leave the scene–actually you don’t even have to wait for that—start now. You will certainly be in charge of the leadership of this planet, once my generation gets out of the way, so get to it. Start to fix this planet, start to fix all the problems we’ve created and make it a better world.”

Roberta Jamieson – Honorary Degree
CEO and President, Indspire
School of Business  
“A good mind is best nurtured when you surround yourself with people who are positive. People who make you feel good, people who also have a good mind. It’s more than a cliché about seeing the glass half full, and by the way, it works. Having a good mind is having a dynamic attitude that engages with the present and enables you to shape a positive future. It enables you to understand that life is not a zero-sum game. That when one person succeeds it is not at the expense of another. A good mind enables you to create a rising tide that raises all boats.”

Brian Perkin – Honorary Degree
Owner, Lake 88.1 FM
Perth Campus
“Serving people (through radio) is a way of building a community, something we all have the opportunity to do as part of our professions and indeed outside of our normal jobs as well. To the graduates of the class of 2021, I wish you a great start in your chosen field this year. I also hope that you view this time as a great chance to serve your community by sharing your new-found skills as you enter the workforce and build a career. I ask you to be mindful of your community. While you make your living and provide the services you’ve been trained for, think of how your unique abilities can also benefit others outside of work. Your talents in skilled trades, your health-care knowledge, IT skills, creative arts, your new qualifications, along with organizational skills, team-building, new ideas. All of these talents can be a huge benefit to the volunteer, non-profit and charitable groups you’ll find serving communities wherever you go. It’ll be a gratifying and rewarding time in life, sharing your gifts outside your immediate profession. Meeting new people and making friends outside the community. Life is full of choices and consequences. I ask you to share your talent and make some choices to benefit your community as you go.”

Joe Thottungal – Honorary Degree
Owner and Founder, Coconut Lagoon and Thali
School of Hospitality and Tourism 
“There is nothing permanent except change. Change is happening every day of our lives… I know for sure that success is not the end but rather it is the wake-up call to be more successful in life.”

The Convocation ceremonies will be available for viewing online at

https://www.algonquincollege.com/convocation/class-of-2021-graduates/spring-schedule/

The Ottawa Citizen published the convocations messages as op eds in Wednesday’s Ottawa Citizen. Read the Vera Etches piece here and the Roberta Jamieson piece here.

To read highlights from the valedictorian speeches, read the article here.