Previous Ceremonies

Vancouver Community College (VCC) was pleased to host its first in-person Student Awards ceremonies in two years on Friday, June 3 at the Broadway campus event space.

A total of 208 students received awards in the presence of family, friends, and donors. Award recipients had the opportunity to thank their donor in person at a tea reception after the official morning and afternoon award presentations.

Both awards ceremonies began with an opening prayer and territorial acknowledgment delivered by Elder Jean. VCC president and CEO Ajay Patel addressed the crowd with a welcome statement.

“We live in uncertain times. And challenging yourself to continue learning and working towards your goals is commendable in its own right,” said Patel. “All of you overcame challenges to get here. Know that we’re all very proud of you.”

Two new awards were established this year – the President’s Award for Leadership, which acknowledges a student who has demonstrated excellent leadership skills and the Zoro and Kelly Ann Mihajlovic Creative Award which is given to a talented graphic design student who also stands out as a positive human being.

Deans presented the names and bios of award recipients from their respective schools:

  • School of Health Sciences
  • School of Hospitality, Food Studies and Applied Business
  • School of Trades, technology and Design
  • Centre for Continuing Studies
  • School of Instructor Education
  • School of Arts and Sciences

Relive the experience. Check out the photo albums from the morning and afternoon ceremonies.

Student Awards video feature

Each year, VCC Foundation selects one or more Outstanding Student Award recipients to highlight in a video feature. This spring spotlights Cameron Conception-Cordova, an Indigenous student in the Bachelor of Hospitality Management program, recipient of the ONNI Group Award. VCC Fashion student Eldrich Lucero is also featured and is the recipient of the Peau de Loup Fashion Diversity Student Award.

To close off the formal ceremony, current VCC music students performed a piece entitled ‘the Villain I appear to be’ as a special gift to those in attendance at the event.

VCC Student Awards are not possible without the generous support from our many donors. Thank you for continuing to give the gift of giving. Learn more about how you can support VCC students in need.

 

 

On Friday, Dec. 3, Vancouver Community College (VCC) hosted its Fall 2021 Student Awards in an online ceremony. The live-streamed event individually honoured 194 deserving VCC students who received scholarships and awards this term, and recognized the generous donors who made them possible.

Elder John Sam of the Tutshone, Tlingit, and Dene First Nations opened the ceremony by performing an “honour song” and encouraging students to pass on what they’ve learned to others.

VCC Vice President, Academic and Applied Research David Wells offered the official address, in which he also introduced the new Elder Lilly Whonnock Award in memory of the beloved Indigenous elder who passed away in early 2021.

"Elder Lilly was a wonderful and giving teacher and guide. Her welcoming presence was inclusive – a principle to which we should all aspire.” - David Wells

VCC deans then presented names and prepared messages from student award recipients in the following areas:

  • School of Health Sciences
  • School of Hospitality, Food Studies and Applied Business
  • School of Trades, Technology and Design
  • Centre for Continuing Studies
  • School of Instructor Education
  • School of Arts and Sciences

STUDENT AWARDS VIDEO FEATURE

Each year, VCC Foundation selects one or more student award recipients to highlight in a video feature. This fall, they showcased two students who received funding from the University Women’s Club Vancouver: Associate of Science student Amelia Godwin, recipient of the Pathway to Health Sciences Award, and Culinary Arts student Ivy Hoang, recipient of the Barbara Middleton Achievement Award.

SPECIAL MUSICAL PERFORMANCES

It wouldn't be a VCC celebration without music! Our VCC Music alumni (Georges Couling, Keyboard, Producer; Jimmy Baldwin, Guitar; Catherine Hiltz, Bass; Daniel Ruiz, Drums; and Elaine Shepherd, Vocals) came together once again, this time with an original rendition of You Make My Dreams Come True by Hall and Oates.

For many VCC students, their education would not be possible without financial awards. Learn how you can support the next generation through the VCC Foundation.

On Friday, May 28, Vancouver Community College (VCC) was proud to celebrate the success, hard work, and achievements of students in a virtual Student Awards ceremony. The event was held on Zoom for donors and recipients, while friends, and family were able to tune in through Facebook Live.

Elder Jean Wasegijig opened the ceremony with a territorial acknowledgment and welcome and was followed by remarks from VCC president and CEO Ajay Patel.  

"Twice a year, Student Awards are given to honour you – our students, for your hard work, commitment and lifelong learning path that you've chosen here. Pursuing a career or learning a new skill or a language during a pandemic is nothing short of remarkable, and I want each and every one of you to know that we are all proud of you." – Ajay Patel

Deans then presented the names and bios of award recipients from the following schools:

  • School of Health Sciences
  • School of Hospitality, Food Studies and Applied Business
  • School of Trades, technology and Design
  • Centre for Continuing Studies
  • School of Instructor Education
  • School of Arts and Sciences

Learn more about awards presented during this event.

Student Awards video feature

Each year, VCC Foundation selects one or more Outstanding Student Award recipients to highlight in a video feature. This spring, we shined the spotlight on Angela Mawbey, recipient of the Dental Reception Coordinator scholarship, and Beatrice Antica, recipient of the Student Success Team Award for Excellence.

Special music alumni performance

In past virtual ceremonies, a group of VCC Music alumni produce a rendition of classic hits such as Everyday People by Sly and the Family Stone. Many thanks to Georges Couling (keyboard, producer, and editor), Jimmy Baldwin (guitar), Catherine Hiltz (bass), Daniel Ruiz (drums), and Elaine Shepherd (vocals) for their interpretation of Ed Sheeran’s Photograph.

Watch the full event

If you missed the event or would like to watch it again, we've included it below. 

This Award ceremony could not have been done without the generous support from our many donors. Thank you for continuing to give the gift of giving. Learn more about how you can support VCC students in need.

On Friday Nov. 20, Vancouver Community College (VCC) was proud to celebrate the success, hard work, and achievements of 194 deserving students in its second virtual Student Awards ceremony. The event was held on Zoom for donors and recipients, and broadcasted through Facebook Live stream for friends and family.

The ceremony began with a territorial acknowledgment and welcome from Edler Jean Wasegijig and a message of congratulations from VCC president and CEO Ajay Patel.

“During a pandemic, I know there have been unexpected moments and your journey has maybe been different than you imagined. Pursuing a career, or learning a new skill or language takes courage. It is no small accomplishment to continue learning and working towards your goals. But it is a testament to your resilience and leadership in the face of adversity that we can be here today and celebrate your accomplishments.” – Ajay Patel.

VCC’s deans then presented the names and bios of award recipients for the School of Health Sciences, the School of Hospitality, Food Studies and Applied Business, the School of Trades, Technology and Design, and the Centre for Continuing Studies. Award recipients for the School of Instructor Education, the School of Arts and Sciences, and the School of Music were presented in a separate Zoom meeting room.

Student Awards video feature

Each year, VCC Foundation selects one or more Outstanding Student Award recipients to profile in a video feature. This fall, we honoured Kale Needham, a first-year Jewellery Art and Design student and recipient of the Positive Space scholarship, as well as Diana Jerezano, current health care assistant student and recipient of the Y.P. Heung Foundation Post-Secondary Award.


Special music alumni performance

As a unique touch to the ceremony, a group of VCC Music alumni revived a Sly and the Family Stone vintage hit “Everyday People” to set the tone for the afternoon.

To maintain safe physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, the awards ceremony was held via Zoom for donors and recipients, with a Facebook Live stream available for friends and family. 

Featured videos from the ceremony can be viewed below, including a video message from VCC president and CEO Ajay Patel, a Student Awards profile video, and a special music video arrangement.
 

 

Student Awards video feature

Each year, the VCC Foundation selects one or more outstanding Student Award recipients to profile in a video feature. This spring, the honour went to four international students from VCC’s automotive collision and refinishing program, Junghoon Song, Dalvir (Lucky) Singh, Tien Du, and Yulianto (Mike) Setaiawan, all recipients of awards from BMW Group.

A special tribute was also paid to Paul Bird, Regional Development Specialist at BMW, who passed away only a few weeks ago. Paul coordinated the BMW awards with VCC and was a treasured friend to the college and the VCC Foundation.  

 

Special alumni presentation

As a unique surprise for attendees of our first-ever online Student Awards ceremony, a group of VCC Music alumni (who had never worked together before this!) created an original music video arrangement of the 1939 Wizard of Oz classic “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”