Valedictory Address se pe

But the next question is: what is the
college's reputation? As most of us are
aware, this college offers a wide and
diverse range of academic courses, as well
as some very special and unique vocational,
career and special needs programmes. It is
a college which attempts, as far as it
can, to meet the needs of all community
members. Capilano has been able to offer
reasonably-sized classes which allow for
more intimate and individual instruction—a
particularly important aspect of education
whether we are learning technical skills
or developing complex analytical skills.
In this regard, my experience with
instructors allows me to say that the
quality of instruction here is exceptional,
and the dedication and commitment to
teaching, and to education in general, is
nothing short of remarkable. In some

instances, it has been inspirational.
These qualities are prominent and central
to the life of a college which defines
itself as a community institution.

It is this reputation, which Capilano,
nowadays, attempts to preserve against
sometimes overwhelming odds, that makes
students feel proud to have studied here.
My decision to attend has been fully
rewarded and in my discussions with other
students, some of whom are also here today,
I know this is a widely shared view. The
genuine concern expressed by our teachers
as to the quality of instruction they can
provide, and their unlimited interest in
the issues facing today's students, is
evidence that they not only understand
what it is to be a teacher; they also
understand clearly what it is to be a
student. They care about our future.

I would like to make mention of one
student who is not here today—he has just
completed his first year of studies and
will return this fall to complete his
second. The reason I would like to mention
him is because his experience here sums up,
to a great extent, what a remarkable
effect this college can have upon its
students.

A year or more ago, I would have described
this student as having a very limited
understanding of the world around him. He

seemed rather disinterested in community
or world affairs, he read very little, and
he didn't seem to think very much for
himself, but was content to go along with
popular opinion. He had just completed his
apprenticeship in a trade which would have
offered him a comfortable standard of
living. At this point, however, he
discovered that he had a disease which
would prevent him from pursuing his trade.
Suddenly, all his plans were destroyed,
and at a very young age. Fortunately, some
of his friends were students at Capilano
College and they encouraged him to go back
to school in order to find a new direction
that would not conflict with or worsen his
disease.

This person had a long-standing interest
in history, but he wasn't really
enthusiastic about education at all. Quite
the contrary, whenever the conversation
turned to school, you'd notice him rolling
his eyes, looking at his watch, and,
finally, drifting off in the direction of
the fridge for another beer. But when he
was forced to make a change in his life,
he did listen and he chose to take courses
strongly recommended by his friends—all
of them academic courses which he used to
jokingly describe as touchy-feely, artsy-
fartsy stuff.

Well, for the first few weeks, whenever
anyone asked him where he was going to
school, his typical answer was "oh...just
Cap College", but only a short time later
the "just" had disappeared. Now he says,
"I'm a student at Capilano College" with a
distinct note of pride in his voice. In
fact, he's so hyper-actively enthusiastic
about his studies, and so impressed with
his instructors, that it's the rest of us
who now politely drift off inthe direction
of the fridge. But more than this—later
this summer he will take part in a work-
exchange programme that will give him
experience as a newSpaper reporter in a
Mediterranean country. He now has a
critical and vibrant interest in the world
around him. And he now talks of becoming a
teacher. And all of this in only one year.
For him, as for so many of us, Capilano
College has offered a fresh and exciting
beginning.

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