Jason Dale, ABSC Executive Director, and Gabriel Basque, ABSC graduate.
The latest batch of freshly-minted automotive industry grads were honoured on October 10 at the annual convocation ceremony at Georgian College.
The ceremony brought together auto industry leaders, friends, family and supporters who cheered the newest graduates as they start their careers in the auto industry, some with OEMs, dealerships, the aftermarket and other suppliers.
The convocation ceremony was for students graduating from the ABSC’s two-year diploma and four-year degree programs, and also from the Automotive Dealership Management program.
Dr. MaryLynn West-Moynes, President & CEO of Georgian College, offered some inspirational words to graduates: “Know that we are all incredibly proud of what you have achieved,” said West-Moynes. “We set high standards here at Georgian, and at the Automotive Business School of Canada, and you achieved them. In fact, many of you exceeded them.”
“Here’s something to think about graduates — we need you,” said West-Moynes. “Not only as leaders and innovators who will help to fuel and transform, and evolve the automotive industry and our economy, but as good citizens who will work to improve and strengthen our communities.”
Tim Reuss, President and CEO of the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association offered some encouragement to the new graduates. “As I speak with industry stakeholders across the country, there’s no doubt that this school enjoys an excellent and ever-growing reputation for innovation, excellence, and for graduating high-caliber candidates,” said Reuss.
Reuss said the auto retail, OEM, and aftermarket industry all work together as one to support the college and their students. “You have made an excellent choice to pursue your career in the automotive industry, especially at a very exciting time when it is poised for substantial change.”
Reuss offered a few examples of that change such as autonomous vehicles, vehicles that connect to customers, OEMs and dealers, the popularity of ride sharing, and the growth of electric vehicles. “With the education that you have obtained at the Automotive Business School of Canada, you are well positioned to tackle these challenges head on, and to make your mark in defining the direction our industry will take over the coming decades,” said Reuss.
“There’s nothing like the car business,” said Rick Gauthier, former President and CEO of the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association, during his remarks to attendees at an awards ceremony held earlier in the day before the graduation ceremony. “Whether it’s at the retail level, manufacturers, the aftermarket or financial services. Every one of these areas promises an exciting and fulfilling career.”
Gauthier, only the 15th person in the history of Georgian College to be honoured with the Fellowship of Georgian College, told the attendees that he enjoyed going to work each and every day in his 47-year career in the auto industry. Gauthier has been a fixture at the ABSC events over the years, and remains one of the program’s biggest backers.
After the awards ceremony, Jason Dale, ABSC’s Executive Director, encouraged the students and awards donors to take part in an interactive exchange of ideas and to get to know one another better. It kicked off with a simple question, and each of the participants sitting around the table discussed their favourite vehicles. For Dale, it was a 1996 Dodge Viper.
This idea exchange was a new addition to the awards ceremony that seemed to go over well, based on the buzz of conversation in the room. It’s these type of networking opportunities where industry partners get to meet students and grads that make the program so successful.
[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”72″ gal_title=”ABSC grads celebrated at Georgian”]
