NWT
As the Aurora Campus was preparing for its 2015 convocation ceremonies May 8, Aurora College president Jane Arychuk promised the campus "has a future" here in Inuvik despite rumours to the contrary.

Edwin Amos was the valedictorian for the 2015 graduating class from the Aurora Campus May 8. - Shawn Giilck/NNSL photo

"There always has been a future (for the campus) here," she said.

"There has never been any discussion that anything was going to happen to the campus up here. We have two new programs coming next year, and we've always been working on new programs.

"It's never been a question with us as to whether the Aurora Campus will continue."

The question of what's happening with the campus has been rumbling around town for months now, due primarily to concern over the campus not offering its popular business-related programs, at least one of which will return next year.

Later, 17 students marked their graduations that day, which is about average for the campus. Most came from the environment and natural resources technology program (ENRTP), while more came from the new personal support worker (PSW) program.

The PSW program was offered for the first time in several years after urging from community leaders, including the Gwich'in Tribal Council and the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation.

"We are very strong partners (with them)," Arychuk said.

Six students graduated from the certificate program.

"Convocation is an amazing time at the college, and we love sharing it with everyone," Arychuk said.

All of the students from the ENRTP program have job offers, said Sarah Tilley, the Aurora Campus director. She believes most of the PSW students have worked lined up as well.

"It hasn't been delivered at this campus for some time, perhaps since around 2003," she said.

"We're very excited by it, and there's lot of job opportunities in that program.

"When I look down this list, I think most of them have jobs, and I know the PSW students all have job offers," Arychuk added.

She said the college tailors its programs to suit the needs of the communities it serves.

Many people don't wish to move and that means it's important to provide a match between the available jobs and the education they need to fill them, Arychuk said.

Karra Dillon, a graduate from the PSW program, said she had found it "more than worthwhile."

She praised the college for offering it, and said it had pointed her in the right direction for her education.

Other students from the delta region who had attended other campuses also took part in the convocation so their families could attend.

Tilley said "I think it's been a pretty successful year, and it's great to see all the students who choose to come here to graduate."

"It's a very important milestone," she added.

"For a lot of our students, they're the first generation of college graduates, which makes a big difference. If you come from a long line of graduates, it's something expected, but when you're the first, it's a breakthrough and stepping stone, and that's important."

Edwin Amos, the valedictorian for the graduating class, spoke of the hardships and difficulties the students faced as they pursued their education, and how it is all worthwhile in the end.

He's one of the ENRTP students who found work even before he finished the program.

That's typical for ENRTP students, said Joel McAlister, the head of the program.

His graduates typically have their choice of jobs, making it possibly the most successful program at the campus, and one of the most popular.

Sarah Jerome, the keynote speaker, spoke of the importance of education in preserving traditional culture.

"Our language and culture is important to us," she said.

Jerome reminded them that "your dreams have come true" but also the remember the elders who have helped them on their paths to graduating.

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