Iqaluit (May 02/05) - There were tears and laughter at this year's Nunavut Arctic College (NAC) Nunatta Campus Convocation ceremony held at the old residence gym in Iqaluit on April 20.

Seventy graduates from disciplines as wide-ranging as hairstyling and environmental technology received diplomas and certificates.

Campus director Peesee Pitsiulak led much of the celebration in Inuktitut. She said afterwards it was an especially moving event for her.

Pitsiulak spent many years working at the college and graduated from the teacher program in 1981. But April 20 was her first convocation ceremony as campus director, and she relished the moment.

She said one of her main goals as campus director is to support Inuit language and culture.

"When I speak, it is always Inuktitut first," she said.

On June 9, there will be a degree ceremony for teachers and nurses. And on June 21, 11 students will graduate from the law program.

It's been a somewhat turbulent year for the college after a report commissioned by the Department of Education pointed out a number of problems with the college earlier this year.

However, president Mac Clendenning, who also spoke at the event, made no mention of that report as he addressed the graduates, praising their commitment to their courses - no small feat for many NAC graduates who are also raising children at home.

Clendenning spoke of moving ahead and pointed to the increase in enrolment at the college that suggests they are doing many things right.