North Island College is celebrating a second consecutive year of strong convocation participation, as 484 students registered to take part in ceremonies across the Campbell River, Comox Valley and Port Alberni campuses this June.

The number reflects continued strong student attendance, building on last year's successful convocation celebrations.

Students joined family members, friends and supporters to mark the completion of their studies and celebrate their achievements at NIC.

“The students’ dedication helps them to prepare for the world awaiting them. This is the role of education. It can lift people up and lead to progress on an individual level, or for a family, or a community like this one,” said Acting President Tony Bellavia. “At convocation, we celebrate NIC students, what is ahead for them and the changes they will make in their immediate community and the world beyond.”

This year, in Campbell River, 75 students registered to take part, while in Port Alberni the number was 84. The total for the three Comox Valley events was 325. The ceremonies again featured the handcrafted paddles created by First Nation artists for last year’s convocation. As well, there were some changes to regalia.

First on the schedule this year, the Campbell River convocation at the Tidemark Theatre was held June 12. Taking part were graduates from a wide range of program areas like Early Childhood Care and Education, Business Administration, Health Care Assistant, Indigenous Language Fluency, Instrumentation and Electrical Automation, Indigenous Leadership and Culinary Business Operations, among others.

For the Comox Valley campus, NIC again held three events this year at Courtenay’s Sid Williams Theatre. The first, on the afternoon of Monday, June 15, was for students in programs such as Animal Care Aide, Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Criminology, Engineering Foundations, Health Care Assistant, Human Services, Hospital Unit Clerk and Social Service.

The two other Comox Valley convocations were held the following day. The morning event featured graduates of many programs including Business Administration, Communications Design, Digital Design and Development, Web and Mobile Application Development, Tourism and Hospitality, Fine Arts and Office Assistant. The afternoon event was for the graduates of Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Early Childhood Care and Education, Community Mental Health, Practical Nursing and Practical Academics for the Workplace.

The final Convocation 2026 event was in Port Alberni on June 17 at the Alberni Athletic Hall. Included were students in program areas such as Early Childhood Care and Education, Health Care Assistant, Human Services, Indigenous Language Fluency, Indigenous Leadership and Practical Nursing, among others.

As part of the ceremonies, the following NIC students received awards this year:

President’s Award for Certificate Program

  • Rebecca Barker
  • Fallon Hayter

President’s Award for Diploma Program

  • Max C. Craft

President’s Award for Degree Program

  • Rowan Williamson
  • Emily Deering

President’s Award for University Studies

  • Spencer Vallintine

President’s Award for Adult Basic Education Program

  • Annie Tomei

Lieutenant Governor’s Medal Program for Inclusion, Democracy and Reconciliation

  • Christopher Callanan

This year's total 484 was just ahead of the 483 registered students in 2025. The figure for 2024 was 388—itself a record. North Island College has more information about convocation on its website.