This afternoon the first person to cross TRU’s Convocation Coordinator was Wanda Cowles.

Wanda Cowles crosses the convocation stage on June 11, 2015.

An Events Coordinator in the department of Advancement Cowles estimates she has organized 35 convocation ceremonies since she started with TRU in 2008.

When she graduated with a diploma in Resort and Hotel Management from the University College of the Cariboo in 1992 she did not think attending convocation was important.  A few thousands grads across the stage later and she’s changed her mind.

Because 2015 marks the 45th years since the founding of the institution that became TRU, alumni from Cariboo College and UCC were invited to cross the stage during the and to receive either a re-issue of their original Cariboo College or University College of the Cariboo parchment or to receive a commemorative parchment.

“Every ceremony I watch these amazing grads and their families celebrate convocation,” Cowles said. “I see how nervous they are and how happy they are and I always regret that I never participated in my own ceremony in 1992. “Crossing the stage is all a part of setting a goal and completing a program, and I am proud to have been able to do that today.”

About 24 people in total received a re-issue of their original Cariboo College or University College of the Cariboo parchment or received a commemorative parchment.