Learning and personal development need to be lifelong activities, the commander of the countries largest Air Force Base told Loyalist college graduates Thursday afternoon.

Col. Colin Keiver was the speaker for students in the School of Applied Sciences, Skills and Technology and the School of Health, Human and Justice Studies during Loyalist’s 50th Annual Convocation Ceremony.

Keiver told the 320 graduating students that learning doesn’t stop now that they have their diplomas, but continues throughout their lives, both professionally and personally.

“It will become even more important as you move on in your careers and have people working for you,” he said. “Your single greatest responsibility will be to ensure they are as ready as they can be for what you are going to ask them to do.

“The most important thing is to be ready to learn because if there is one certainty in this world, it is change.”

In recognition of his distinguished career and service to Canada and the Canadian Forces, Keiver was presented with an Honorary Diploma by chair of the Loyalist Board of Governors June Hagerman.

Loyalist President and CEO Ann Marie Vaughan noted that 201 was a year of significant milestones -- the 150th Anniversary of Canada, the 200th Anniversary of Belleville, and the 50th anniversary of Loyalist College.

But, she stressed 2017 is also a special year of recognition of the 100th anniversary of Vimy Ridge.

“The poppies displayed at the front of the auditorium are placed here to remind us all of this important part of our history as a country” she said, “and to honour all those who have served and continue to serve in our military.”

Valedictorian Daniel Schell, a 2017 Loyalist Public Relations graduating student, urged his fellow graduates not to simply get by in their future endeavours but to excel in whatever they do.

“Let’s be known as a group of people, living from the mission statement of being secretly incredible; living our everyday lives, believing deeply that when we decide to live every day for the good of others, that we can make a difference,” he said.

“Let’s make our legacy be a belief that we can change the world for the better, loving what we do, doing it with love, one day at a time.”

Among various Achievement Awards presented to graduating students was the new MADD Quinte Award, presented to Kaytlin Jean Karges of Foxboro.