SURREY, B.C. Western Community College (WCC) welcomed over 1,000 attendees to its annual convocation ceremony on August 21, 2026, held at the Bell Performing Arts Centre from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., celebrating its Class of 2026 and spanning programs from Health Care Assistant and Bachelor of Hospitality Management to Early Childhood Education and Community Support Worker.
WCC was honoured to welcome several distinguished guests to this year’s convocation: Michael Lu, Maritime Surface/Subsurface Command Officer with the Department of National Defence; Mayor Brenda Locke, City of Surrey; Trustee Garry Thind, Surrey School Board; Councillor Linda Annis and Councillor Mike Bose, City of Surrey; and MLAs Gary Begg, Bryan Tepper, and Amna Shah.
A Ceremony Rooted in Community
Convocation opened with remarks from WCC President Gurpal Dhaliwal, who told graduates, “your success is our success,” and reminded them that they were leaving WCC “with more than a credential,” carrying the knowledge, confidence, and strength to make a difference “in your workplace, in your community, and the lives of others.” Board Chair Anita Huberman struck a similar note. “Education drives economic development, and that connection has never been more important,” she said. “Industry tells us where the workforce gaps and opportunities are, and post-secondary institutions must respond with relevant curriculum and skills development. Our graduates are entering the workforce prepared to contribute to B.C.’s economic growth and the communities in which they live and work.” That theme carried through the evening. Mayor Brenda Locke praised the college’s growing footprint in Surrey and told graduates, “I know your future is bright,” while MLA Amna Shah called convocation “the beginning of a journey that is filled with responsibility, filled with purpose, and with opportunity.”
Encouragement for the Next Chapter
Lieutenant Commander Michael Lu drew on his own 28-year career with the Canadian Armed Forces to encourage graduates to keep learning beyond the stage: “You graduated, great, but that is a license to learn. The rest of your career, you will continue learning.” MLA Gary Begg struck a similar note, observing that “each of you has taken a unique path to reach this milestone” and that graduates should be proud of what they achieved “whatever your journey looked like.” MLA Bryan Tepper, who represents Surrey Panorama, sent graduates off with a reminder that “there’s no single path to success” and encouraged them to “take opportunities as they come.”
WCC Executive Vice President Rimpy Dhaliwal encouraged graduates to approach the next chapter with confidence, courage, and a willingness to embrace new opportunities. “Don’t wait until you feel 100% ready,” she said. “Take the opportunity, step outside your comfort zone, and continue investing in yourself. Growth begins when you are willing to challenge yourself and take that next step.” Dr. Daren Hancott, Vice President Academic, echoed that message, emphasizing WCC’s commitment to quality education and the importance of equipping graduates with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to succeed in an evolving workforce.
Valedictorians Reflect on the Journey
Graduates Michelle Mathews (Bachelor of Hospitality Management) and Ximena Rodriguez (Early Childhood Education) delivered this year’s valedictory address on behalf of their peers. Mathews described a program that “did not go easy on any one of us,” crediting WCC’s staff for helping students push through: “They really cared. Their door was always open… This degree opens doors that were once out of reach, and I intend to stay open to every opportunity that comes my way.” Rodriguez, reflecting on starting a new chapter of her life in a new country, told her classmates that “sometimes the hardest journeys lead us exactly where we are meant to be,” adding, “here we are. We made it, and we should all be incredibly proud.”
A Class Spanning WCC’s Career Programs
The Class of 2026 represented the full breadth of WCC’s programming, including Health Care Assistant, Bachelor of Hospitality Management, Early Childhood Education, and Community Support Worker, among others. The ceremony also marked a first for the college: its inaugural graduate from the Flight Instructor Rating program, a milestone Dr. Vandana Khetarpal, Vice President of Career Programs, highlighted as a new chapter for WCC. Family, friends, faculty, and staff filled the Bell Performing Arts Centre throughout the evening to celebrate the graduates’ accomplishments.
From 7 Students to a Growing Institution
Western Community College’s story began in 2012 with just seven students. Since then, the college has grown to offer more than 65 programs spanning health care, hospitality, business, and early childhood education, among other fields, and continues to expand its program offerings each year. Convocation ceremonies at WCC have grown alongside that expansion, with graduates now representing more programs than ever before.
WCC is also working to address a need that has long gone unmet in Surrey: student housing. The college’s City Centre 5 development will deliver 810 units of student housing, Surrey’s first purpose-built student residence. Located directly adjacent to Surrey Memorial Hospital and steps from King George SkyTrain Station, City Centre 5 sits within Surrey’s Health and Technology District, surrounded by transit, retail, dining, healthcare services, and integrated daycare, positioning it to serve not just students, but the broader learning and professional community the district is designed to attract.
About Western Community College
Western Community College is committed to providing accessible, career-focused education that prepares students for success in their chosen fields. Through hands-on training, industry partnerships, and dedicated faculty, WCC equips graduates with the skills and confidence to thrive in the workforce.
Media Contact
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