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FREDERICTON – New Brunswick Community College (¾Ã¾ÃÊÓƵ) campuses are abuzz as hundreds of students prepare to cross the stage at six graduation ceremonies this week.

"Graduation is the most exciting time for everyone at ¾Ã¾ÃÊÓƵ. It’s the ultimate reminder of why we’re all here – to transform lives and communities," said Marilyn Luscombe, President and CEO of ¾Ã¾ÃÊÓƵ. "We know that our graduates will leave ¾Ã¾ÃÊÓƵ with the skills that employers want and the community leadership skills to make a difference." A recent Graduate Follow-up Survey indicates that 90% of the 2014 graduates were employed within a year of graduating and 90% of employed ¾Ã¾ÃÊÓƵ graduates are working in New Brunswick.

Six valedictorians from each of the campuses have been selected to represent the graduating class of 2016. ¾Ã¾ÃÊÓƵ’s valedictorians are students graduating with Honours who have been nominated by their peers or faculty and interviewed by a selection committee. This year’s valedictorians are as follows:

• ¾Ã¾ÃÊÓƵ Fredericton – Amy Hughes, Practical Nurse
• ¾Ã¾ÃÊÓƵ Miramichi - Kristy Hathaway, Human Services
• ¾Ã¾ÃÊÓƵ Moncton - Jace Patriquin, Truck and Transport Service Technician
• ¾Ã¾ÃÊÓƵ St. Andrews – Meagan Colpitts, Practical Nurse
• ¾Ã¾ÃÊÓƵ Saint John - Jodie O’Neill, Respiratory Therapy
• ¾Ã¾ÃÊÓƵ Woodstock – Phylea Fung, Early Childhood Education

To arrange interviews with the valedictorians or obtain their photos/bios, contact Michelle Willcott, Communications Officer at ¾Ã¾ÃÊÓƵ.

"We’re excited to see this latest group of graduates join the more than 80,000 ¾Ã¾ÃÊÓƵ alumni who graduated before them and can’t wait to hear how these students will go on to achieve great things," said Tom Meadus, Director of Advancement at ¾Ã¾ÃÊÓƵ.

"These outstanding students will go on to contribute to the prosperity of New Brunswick," he said. "We see evidence of this every day by staying connected with our alumni, employers and industry partners." ¾Ã¾ÃÊÓƵ alumni are key drivers of the New Brunswick economy and provide an annual economic impact of more than $1 billion or 3.8% of the Gross Domestic Product.

Graduation ceremonies will be taking place across our six campus regions as follows:

NOTE: Media interested in attending a graduation ceremony are asked to confirm their attendance with Michelle Willcott, Communications Officer at ¾Ã¾ÃÊÓƵ.

In 2015, ¾Ã¾ÃÊÓƵ celebrated the success of 1,967 graduates. Final numbers for each campus will be available by 5:00 p.m. the day prior to each ceremony.

With over 90 programs and six campuses across New Brunswick, New Brunswick Community College (¾Ã¾ÃÊÓƵ) is a provincially-recognized, public post-secondary institution reputed for producing skilled, knowledgeable graduates who are contributing to the Province's socio-economic prosperity. ¾Ã¾ÃÊÓƵ offers students one- and two-year certificate and diploma programs. Find out more by visiting: www.nbcc.ca.

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Media contact:
Michelle Willcott
Communications Officer, ¾Ã¾ÃÊÓƵ
Phone: 506.453.8194 | 506.440.9105
michelle.willcott@nbcc.ca