Vancouver Community College’s Broadway campus was buzzing on Thursday as new students enjoyed carnival-themed booths offering games, candy and helpful information during the annual Welcome Day event. While traditionally a day to introduce new students to the campus community, this year’s affair took on a doubly special meaning as proclamations were announced naming September 17, 2015 "Vancouver Community College Day" in both the City of Vancouver and the Province of British Columbia.
Proclamations are ceremonial documents issued by government that designate a special day to publicly recognize the significance of an event or organization. VCC is honoured that both the City of Vancouver and the Province of British Columbia have recognized its 50th anniversary and longstanding service to the community.
Conducting the proclamation ceremony, which included the unveiling of an official plaque, were VCC president Peter Nunoda, VCC Board of Governors chair and VCC alumnus Jim Storie and Elder-in-Residence Deana George of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation.
“For 50 years, VCC has given students the training they need to meet the needs of the city. Our grads built this city,” said Peter Nunoda in his speech. “To those who have gone before us, we owe a tremendous debt of gratitude, and in celebrating this auspicious occasion, we reaffirm our sense of purpose and commitment to working together to build on our history to build an even brighter future.”
President Nunoda then gave a full reading of the Province of British Columbia’s proclamation, which was followed by a reading of the City of Vancouver’s proclamation by Jim Storie and a traditional Indigenous blessing and prayer by Elder Dee.
The event concluded, as per tradition at VCC, with the cutting and serving of a large, beautifully decorated cake courtesy of VCC’s Baking and Pastry arts program.
In recognition of Vancouver Community College Day and VCC’s 50th anniversary, BC Minister of Advanced Education Andrew Wilkinson also published a congratulatory statement.
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