Winnipeg, Manitoba on Treaty No. 1 Territory and the Homeland of the Red River Métis Nation – This month, a record number of RRC Polytech graduates will attend spring convocation ceremonies and receive their credentials in person. Nine ceremonies across the province will celebrate more than 3,000 graduates with nearly 50 per cent of them joining friends, family, faculty and industry partners who will gather to watch them cross the platform and cap off an incredibly strong year of enrolment and academic achievement at RRC Polytech.

This comes as RRC Polytech continues to experience increases in enrolment, including an eight per cent increase in 2023-24 compared to the previous five-year average, and early tracking to suggest record levels for the upcoming fall term.

“As Manitoba’s only polytechnic, we are focused on delivering the programs and training our industry partners need not only today, but also as we build for the future,” says Fred Meier, RRC Polytech President and CEO.

“Stronger enrolment that leads to more and more successful graduates crossing the stage at convocation is living proof our strategic plan’s focus on meeting the emerging needs of students, employers and communities is working. This month we celebrate our graduates’ academic accomplishments, but also the opportunity and optimism that lie ahead.”

As one of the largest trainers of health care professionals in the province, RRC Polytech is proud to celebrate more than 260 graduates from programs including nursing, medical laboratory sciences, paramedicine and more, whose skills, expertise, and compassion will support the revitalization of one of the province’s most important sectors.

Three Lieutenant Governor’s Medals Awarded

Three outstanding graduates have been selected to receive Lieutenant Governor’s Medals this week, rewarding their academic and technical achievement, involvement in College and/or community activities, and overall good character.

• Israel Sanchez, graduate of the Social Innovation and Community Development Program with a Major in Indigenous Social Entrepreneurship.
• Joshua Malam, graduate of the Business Administration Program with a Major in Marketing.
• Kathleen Murphy, graduate of the Business Administration program with a major in Financial Services.

Read more about the 2024 Lieutenant Governor’s Medal Recipients here.

Dr. Jennifer Frain awarded first-ever Honorary Diploma in Disability and Community Support

RRC Polytech’s Honorary Diploma is awarded to an individual who demonstrates high standards of excellence in their personal and professional achievements, and whose involvement in the community is widely recognized. This year’s deserving recipient, Dr. Jennifer Frain, is an accomplished professional and outstanding community role model whose life’s work will resonate with and serve to inspire our 2024 graduates. Dr. Jennifer Frain will be awarded an Honorary Diploma in Disability and Community Support at RRC Polytech’s upcoming Convocation ceremony on Tuesday, June 18, at 7 p.m.

Read more about the 2024 Honorary Diploma Recipient here.

“RRC Polytech’s convocation ceremonies are a celebration of our students’ academic accomplishments, and this year’s Lieutenant Governor Medal Award winners represent the future of our workforce here in Manitoba. The graduating students are ready to apply their knowledge, skills, initiative, and diverse perspectives to immediately benefit their chosen sectors, their employers and their own communities,” said Dr. Christine Watson, VP Academic, RRC Polytech.

“The significant contributions of Dr. Jennifer Frain, Honorary Diploma recipient, in her leadership in Manitoba’s social services sector, will also resonate with the graduates and inspire them to be the leaders of tomorrow by making an impact in their communities today. We look forward to seeing what the Class of 2024 brings to their respective industries across our province.”

RRC Polytech’s Spring 2024 Convocation celebrations happen throughout June across the province and are live- streamed worldwide. Its first of four convocation ceremonies in Winnipeg beginning today at the RBC Convention Centre, with five more for its Regional Campuses – with Selkirk and Peguis-Fisher River taking place earlier this month and Winkler, Portage la Prairie, and Steinbach following later in June.

On average, nearly 90 per cent of RRC Polytech graduates begin working in their field within six months of graduating. This year’s graduates will be career-ready from day one, helping communities and industries throughout Manitoba stay in front of what’s ahead.

For a full list of graduates, award winners, and to stream the ceremonies please click on this link to our convocation webpage.

Schedule of RRC Polytech convocation ceremonies across Manitoba

Winnipeg ceremonies (live-streamed) will take place at the RBC Convention Centre, City View Hall (Hall C), 375 York Avenue as follows:

• Monday, June 17, at 1:30 p.m.
• Monday, June 17, at 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, June 18, at 1:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, June 18, at 7 p.m.

Regional campuses:

• Peguis – Fisher River Campus – Friday, June 7, at 2 p.m.
  Peguis Community Hall
• Interlake Campus – Thursday, June 13, at 2 p.m.
  Selkirk Recreational Complex, 180 Easton Dr, Selkirk, MB
• Portage Campus – Tuesday, June 25, at 2 p.m.
  The William Glesby Centre 11 2 St NE, Portage la Prairie
• Winkler Campus – Thursday, June 20, at 2 p.m.
  Concert Hall, 783 Mountain Ave, Winkler, MB
• Steinbach Campus – Thursday, June 27, at 3 p.m.
  Pat Porter Active Living Centre, 10 Chrysler Gate, Steinbach, MB