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FREDERICTON – New Brunswick Community College (½ûÂþÌìÌÃ) 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 ½ûÂþÌìÌÃ. It’s the ultimate reminder of why we’re all here – to transform lives and communities," said Marilyn Luscombe, President and CEO of ½ûÂþÌìÌÃ. "We know that our graduates will leave ½ûÂþÌìÌà 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 ½ûÂþÌìÌà graduates are working in New Brunswick.

Six valedictorians from each of the campuses have been selected to represent the graduating class of 2016. ½ûÂþÌìÌÃ’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:

• ½ûÂþÌìÌà Fredericton – Amy Hughes, Practical Nurse
• ½ûÂþÌìÌà Miramichi - Kristy Hathaway, Human Services
• ½ûÂþÌìÌà Moncton - Jace Patriquin, Truck and Transport Service Technician
• ½ûÂþÌìÌà St. Andrews – Meagan Colpitts, Practical Nurse
• ½ûÂþÌìÌà Saint John - Jodie O’Neill, Respiratory Therapy
• ½ûÂþÌìÌà Woodstock – Phylea Fung, Early Childhood Education

To arrange interviews with the valedictorians or obtain their photos/bios, contact Michelle Willcott, Communications Officer at ½ûÂþÌìÌÃ.

"We’re excited to see this latest group of graduates join the more than 80,000 ½ûÂþÌìÌà 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 ½ûÂþÌìÌÃ.

"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." ½ûÂþÌìÌà 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 ½ûÂþÌìÌÃ.

In 2015, ½ûÂþÌìÌà 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 (½ûÂþÌìÌÃ) is a provincially-recognized, public post-secondary institution reputed for producing skilled, knowledgeable graduates who are contributing to the Province's socio-economic prosperity. ½ûÂþÌìÌà 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, ½ûÂþÌìÌÃ
Phone: 506.453.8194 | 506.440.9105
michelle.willcott@nbcc.ca