Camosun to honour trio at graduation ceremonies

A leader in the local technology sector, a fitness entrepreneur and a top student who hopes to use his engineering knowledge in the agriculture industry will receive major honours during Camosun College’s graduation ceremonies this week.

The technology standout is Clayton Stark, a 1993 Camosun graduate in mechanical engineering technology who has gone on to establish online-gaming companies Zynga and KIXEYE. Stark will be receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award.

Stark came to Camosun without a high school degree and took courses to upgrade his credentials. He said Camosun made postsecondary education possible for him, while its co-operative education program allowed him to use his skills in business settings.

Jessica Cruise, who received a diploma in golf management from Camosun in 2008, now runs her own fitness franchise, Vibes Fitness, which has five locations in Victoria and Vancouver. She will be presented with the Promising Alumni Award.

The Governor General’s Collegiate Bronze Academic medal is going to Braiden Kirkland, who earned a perfect 9.0 grade point average in mechanical-engineering technology.

Two teams of students and staff have earned the Board of Governors Award for Innovation — the Athletic and Exercise Therapy Clinic and the Diabetes and Exercise Education Project. The therapy clinic gives students a chance to practise techniques and assessments on clients under staff supervision, while the student-run diabetes project studies the combined effect of exercise and education on people with diabetes.

The graduation ceremonies will take place at Camosun’s Pacific Centre for Sport Excellence on Thursday and Friday.