July 2008 IN Douglas College The Douglas College Newsletter | New Westminster Campus, David Lam Campus, Surrey Training Centre We did it! Valedictorian and Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation (BTR) grad Josh Friesen, centre, with (from left) BTR instructor Lee Chamberland, grad Kylah Blair, instructor Julie Roper, grad Cydney Walker, and BTR Program Coordinators and instructors Geri Paterson and Tricia Rachfall. Facilities Services Administrative Officer Deb Jackson, left, with daughter and valedictorian, Criminology grad Lacey. Registrar Trish Angus with daughter, Bachelor of Science in Nursing grad Carolyn. Graduation Coordinator Christine Kerr with daughter and Associate Degree in Science grad Kelsey. Celebrating success at Grad 2008 Douglas College graduates and their families, friends and instructors had plenty to celebrate at the Convocation ceremonies on June 4 and 5, at the New Westminster Campus. More than 700 graduating students from seven different Faculties and 58 programs were awarded their degrees, diplomas, associate degrees, certificates and citations. The June 4 morning convocation was particularly poignant for Therapeutic Recreation Program Coordinators Tricia Rachfall and Geri Paterson. The very first three Bachelor of Therapeutic Recreation (BTR) graduates crossed the stage to receive their degrees: Kylah Blair, valedictorian Josh Friesen and Cydney Walker. “It was a great day to celebrate a new era of therapeutic recreation in BC,” says Rachfall. The degree program is the only one of its kind in BC. Meanwhile, the celebration was extra special for three employees whose daughters graduated. Grad Coordinator Christine Kerr's daughter Kelsey collected an Associate of Science. Registrar Trish Angus’s daughter, Carolyn, received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. And Facilities Services Administrative Officer Deb Jackson came to see her daughter Lacey perform valedictorian duties in addition to crossing the stage to get her Criminology Diploma. “Seeing her walk across the stage as the valedictorian brought tears to my eyes. I was honoured that she represented the graduating class at my place of work with many friends and colleagues present,” says Jackson. Though Mother Nature didn’t cooperate on the rainy June day, “I think everyone enjoyed themselves,” says Kerr.