This Father’s Day will double as a convocation rehearsal for Kaitlynn Downey and her father Bruce. Both are University of Guelph-Humber students and will be graduating during U of GH’s convocation June 20.
Kaitlynn came to U of GH in 2012 to study kinesiology. She’d been an athlete in high school, playing both soccer and rugby. She was attracted by the mix of theoretical and practical learning, and liked the idea of earning both an honours degree and diploma.
Prior to the start of her second year of school, her father approached her with a question. After nearly 25 years working for York Regional Police, Bruce was thinking of enrolling in U of GH’s
justice studies degree completion program.
“He asked me if I was fine with us both going to the same school,” said Kaitlynn. “I thought it was pretty cool. It was something he really wanted to do.”
Bruce’s career had taken him from being a patrol officer, to a detective and then to the cybercrime department, a field then in its infancy. Though he’d done a certificate in police foundations and classes in data forensics, he wanted to go back to school.
“This has always been a personal goal for me and I’m now at a stage in my life where I’m ready for it,” he said.
“It’s my choice, and I enrolled because I wanted to be there. I spent a lot of time researching, looked at the U of GH website top to bottom and saw something that appealed to me.”
Mostly, Kaitlynn and Bruce stuck to their own programs, but from time to time, they had some overlap. For example, both happened to be tackling courses on research methods at the same time, and when Bruce came to town for his weekend classes, he stayed with Kaitlynn and her roommate at their nearby apartment.
Bruce plans to retire from police service in about 18 months. After his experience pursuing his BAA, he’s thinking about continuing on to a master’s program. Meantime, both are looking forward to June 20.
“We’re in different ceremonies, but we’re both excited to be there for each other,” says Kaitlynn.
U of GH convocation ceremonies will be held at the Pearson Convention Centre, 2638 Steeles Avenue E., Brampton, Ontario. Ceremonies will be held at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Details are available online.