Ninety eight Bermuda College graduates walked across the stage yesterday to receive their diplomas at the 2004 commencement ceremony. To bright sunshine and rounds of applause from faculty, family members and Government leaders, including former Premier Jennifer Smith and Opposition Leader Grant Gibbons, the graduates received diplomas and certificates in a variety of fields ranging from business administration to child care.

Half of the College's graduates received distinction or merit in their chosen field of study and several told The Royal Gazette they have would be putting their education to use in the workplace or had plans to attend university overseas.

In his final address as the College president, Dr. Michael Orenduff told graduates: "Bermuda College is not about inputs, we're about outcomes. We're more concerned about exit standards than entrance standards."

Dr. Orenduff said College graduates averaged higher marks in university when compared to their fellow classmates and he pointed out that regardless of the high school grades when students came to the Bermuda College more than half graduated with merit and distinction.

"You're an impressive group," he told the audience. "This is my last group of graduates, go out and make us proud."

Graduates received degrees in business administration, the liberal arts, certificates in accounting, geriatric aid, hospitality management and office and secretarial skills. Six students received degrees from the Mount Saint Vincent University Bachelor of Business Administration in Association with the Bermuda College.

Graduate speaker Zikomo Swan, who set to attend New York University this fall to study finance, told his fellow classmates he was tired of hearing that Bermuda College students did not "do a lot of work" from the wider community.

"The fact remains that we wouldn't be here if we didn't put in the work," he said. "I get annoyed when I hear people say we sit up in the student centre and watch movies or play cards, but the regardless of what other people may think, I say to my fellow graduates, you're already a success."

Commencement speaker Austin Thomas, a former MP, told the students about his childhood growing up, and the need for young people to understand the importance of hard work and integrity. He used the outbreak of violence at Wellington Oval as an example of the need of discipline in the early years as opposed to fancy youth programmes for young people.

"When you go out to work don't forget integrity - at the end of the day you must feel good about the job you have done."

Mr. Thomas, along with historian Colin Benbow and former Bermuda College teacher James Smith, were inducted as honorary fellows.

Graduate Randy Swan, who received his degree in Business Adminstration has plans to attend a Canadian university next year. He said his time at Bermuda College was a fantastic opportunity, educationally and academically. "It feels great to graduate, it's been a long time coming."

Sen. Raymond Tannock closed the graduation ceremony with these words: "It's been a difficult three years. We have solidified into a community college, we know what we have to do to make this an even better community college."

American Charles Green is set to take over from Dr. Orenduff as president.