Western University grads walk the stage for 1st in-person fall convocation since 2019

Students from Western University and King's University College walked across the stage at Alumni Hall on Wednesday, the first time an in-person fall convocation ceremony was held since before the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Graduates from the faculties of health sciences, law and music were the first to get their certificates in what will be three days of ceremonies at Western and its affiliated colleges. 

There were smiles and tears of joy as graduates reflected on their accomplishments and thought of the years ahead. CBC News asked some from the Class of '22 what it too, and what they're looking forward to next. 

"You really need a good support system and a good family," said Eve Klunder, who graduated from Western University's health sciences program and wants to be a registered nurse.

"Get out there. Get involved. I feel like that's where you find good friends."

Klunder, 21, said her graduation is just one leg of the journey. She still has a midterm to write, but said it's important to be strategic about what to study and how to figure out what work to complete. 

"Don't do your readings unless you really need to," Klunder advised. "Unless your professor specifically says do them and they're on the midterm or exam, then don't do them," 

Prajay Khubchandani, 23, said he thinks of convocation as more than just getting a certificate.

"This piece of paper is not just a piece of paper," said Khubchandani, a graduate from Western's four-year special economics program. 

Incoming students should take take advantage of resources to prepare for graduation and life after school, Khubchandani said. 

"Try to ask questions to the professors, because everyone is really helpful," he said, adding that professors are resources for students.

"Talk to as many people as possible. Talk to your professors and they'll be able to guide you and get you through various situations in life, and what to do next after university, because that's what you're here for."

Zainab Bakari, 35, graduated from the King's Master of Social Work program. In 2018, she came to London from Nigeria when her son was just one.

"The most amazing feeling is having my son here with me, because I feel like we went through the degree together. So I'm just so happy," Bakari said.

"My son made me believe in myself," she said, adding she was motivated to graduate and support her family.

Bakari, who recently found a job as a social worker, tells first year students to not doubt themselves when their semesters get overwhelming.

"I think it could get overwhelming. But most importantly trust yourself and your abilities and take it a day at a time."

Ron Robert, 84, said the in-person convocation showed how much support he had from students for years. He was encouraged to return to school in 2018, two years after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer disease. 

"Girlfriends will be around forever. Boyfriends will be around. Concentrate on your studies and don't let anything get in your way," he tells first year students.

Robert, a former broadcast journalist, was also a special assistant to prime minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau. He says he enrolled in political sciences at King's University College to keep his mind sharp and cross graduation off his bucket list. 

His wife and caretaker Catherine Corneilius-Robert, who helped him don the gown and navigate the campus, joined him. Roberts said he wants to go on to more studies and eventually complete a master's degree on Alzheimer's. He credits other students for keeping him on track.

"There were challenges every day just finding my way around. I get lost very easily," he said, adding if he was roaming around, a student would come over to escort him to class.

"Those kinds of things are one of the big things that I will always remember."