By

Alex Lambert


June 18, 2025

Image
Recognized for his commitment to the community where he grew up, Canadian country music artist, Jason Blaine, left, accepts an Honourary Bachelor of Applied Studies from Algonquin College President and CEO Claude Brulé.

Pembroke – Algonquin College’s Waterfront Campus recognized two distinguished alumni for their contributions to the local community during its annual convocation ceremony on Friday, bestowing an honourary degree on one of them.

Among those honoured were two individuals whose names have become synonymous with their impact in the Ottawa Valley: Jason Blaine and the late Jamie Bramburger.

Even though he lives in Nashville, Tennessee, and travels extensively to support his successful music career, some of Mr. Blaine’s fondest memories are rooted in the Ottawa Valley. While the now-successful country star didn’t have the chance to study at the new waterfront campus himself, Mr. Blaine has raised over a million dollars for its development through his annual Jason Blaine Celebrity Charity Golf Classic since 2014.

Graduating from Algonquin College’s Pembroke campus for business in 2000, he returned 25 years later to accept the degree recognizing his lasting legacy of selflessness since then. He was recognized at the college’s convocation ceremony at the Pembroke Memorial Centre (PMC).

The afternoon began with remarks from the Pembroke campus’ Elder-in-Residence, Aimee Bailey. Telling the audience she is one of the many grandchildren of the former Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation Chief Matt Bernard and his wife, Christiane Patridge, she shared a prayer in the traditional Inuktitut language before translating its meaning to English.

“We pray for this day. Thank you for the bodies of everyone present here today, especially the graduates. Thank you for the joy that you bring to each and every one of us,” Ms. Bailey said. “Thank you for everything good that comes our way. Thank you for giving each of us good health, prosperity and everything we need in life. Miigwech.”

Ms. Bailey asked the audience to stand as they welcomed the class of 2025 before students and staff were ushered into place by a performance from the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation youth drumming group, Papase.

Algonquin College Senior Vice President of Academics Julie Beauchamp was the event’s Master of Ceremonies. Beginning by highlighting how all three of the college’s campuses occupy the traditional, unceded and unsurrendered territory of the Anishinaabe-Algonquin people, she went on to emphasize the spirit of reconciliation.

“While we recognize that territorial acknowledgements are only one step in cultivating greater respect for the inclusion of Indigenous peoples, we commit to accompanying these words with action,” she remarked.

She thanked Papase for their performance, adding it was a meaningful and fitting way to start the ceremony. Ms. Beauchamp then invited aspiring country musician Mikaela Roach, a student at Fellowes High School, to sing O’ Canada.

Ms. Beauchamp went on to introduce the group of distinguished guests joining her on stage before thanking them for their contributions. She asked the audience to take a moment to recognize the late Jamie Bramburger, the college’s seventh Acting Dean before Angela Rintoul was named his successor. She said he played a pivotal role in shaping the graduating class.

“Jamie’s passion, leadership and unwavering dedication left a lasting mark on countless students, staff and the broader community. His legacy continues to inspire us all,” she explained. “Jamie was one of those people. He is deeply missed by the entire Algonquin College community, especially here in Pembroke.”

The college’s President and CEO, Claude Brulé told students they’re stepping into a world that’s moving faster than ever.

“In the face of uncertainty, your perspective matters. In a workplace that’s always changing, your adaptability will matter, and in a world that’s seeking answers, your voice matters,” he said. “So be bold. Be curious. Be willing to keep learning even when it’s hard, in fact, especially when it’s hard. And I know that Algonquin College will always be proud of the contribution you’ll make as alumni wherever the journey takes you next.”

Ms. Beauchamp went on to address Mr. Blaine, telling the audience the conferral of an honourary degree is one of the college’s highest distinctions.

“This honour is reserved for individuals who have made an extraordinary impact in education, industry, community service or leadership. These individuals exemplify the values we hold close at Algonquin College: caring, learning, integrity and respect,” she said. “These recipients inspire us by showing what’s possible when someone is truly committed to making a difference in their community.”

Ms. Rintoul said she was proud to present an honourary degree to someone who represents the passion, heart and determination of the college, adding his annual Jason Blaine Celebrity Charity Golf Classic each June in Pembroke has raised over $1 million.

“Jason Blaine’s dedication to his Ottawa Valley-Pembroke roots shines through his generosity and involvement with the college. His annual Golf Classic raised an impressive $100,000, helping to shape and build the Pembroke Waterfront Campus,” she explained.

“An additional $100,000 contribution created an endowment that provides much-needed financial aid for students, ensuring opportunities for the next generation.”

After Mr. Brulé bestowed him with a hood recognizing his achievement, Mr. Blaine addressed the convocation and told listeners he was truly humbled to be recognized in his hometown where he had so many memories.

“I skated on the ice here as a youngster. We hosted my charity golf event concert here for many years and played shows here. So many memories,” he remarked. “This is kind of the highest honour of my life in terms of academics. I’ve got my folks here today.”

Mr. Blaine went on to say he was pleased to stand before esteemed guests to humbly accept an honourary degree. Sharing some of his personal backstory, he told listeners he moved to Nashville with his wife and their three-month-old baby girl 19 years ago.

“We’ve lived there for the past 19 years, but before then I grew up here, in Pembroke, Ontario,” he said. “After graduating from high school, I got a job at a local factory that made filing cabinets. I would listen to the local country station Pure Country 96.7 all day. I worked the assembly line with my head in the clouds dreaming of one day hearing my songs on that radio.

“I did all this while folding thousands of boxes, sweeping floors, welding, wrapping, drilling, stacking and packing filing cabinets,” he added. “To this day, I am thankful that I didn’t injure myself or one of my coworkers. They affectionately nicknamed me Nashville.”

Mr. Blaine said while it was honourable work, he knew it wasn’t his calling. He enrolled at Algonquin College not as a Plan-B, but for time to find himself.

“I figured I would need to get some business knowledge to navigate the murky waters of the music industry. During these next two years I would begin writing songs and playing shows in the area in a band I formed with my father and brother and two local musicians.”

He welcomed graduates to what he described as the “real final exam: the school of life,” adding he wrote his speech in the form of a letter to himself 25 years ago. Mr. Blaine elaborated, telling listeners there are five prerequisites for success in the school of life, including courage, character, commitment, content and community.

Adding his wife of 21 years is a graduate of Algonquin College, he emphasized the importance of having a support network, which he described as a “micro community.”

“Nobody makes it through the school of life on their own. You had certain people in your life who have helped get you to where you are today,” he continued. “In conclusion, be courageous, live your adventure, guard your character, construct your content, honour your commitments, treasure your community, and enjoy your journey through the school of life.

Pembroke Campus Valedictorian

Ms. Beauchamp told audience members she was pleased to introduce an outstanding member of the graduating class, the campus’ valedictorian.

“Vicki Alexopoulos Read is graduating today from the Bachelor of Science in Nursing in collaboration with the University of Ottawa and Algonquin College,” she continued. “She is loved by students and faculty.

“Vicki has persevered through immense personal challenges during her studies. Regardless of her circumstances, she has maintained excellence in academics and has also taken on additional work to benefit others in the program.”

Ms. Alexopoulos Read expressed her utmost gratitude to students and staff.

“It is my deepest honour and privilege to speak to you all as valedictorian, on behalf of my colleagues, classmates and friends,” she remarked.

Acknowledging the college’s Pembroke campus is located on the traditional, unsurrendered territory of the Anishinaabe-Algonquin people, she asked visitors to take the time to show gratitude and respect to those who have inhabited the land since time immemorial.

“We take this time to show our gratitude and respect to them and to the land for all it has provided us and will continue to provide,” she said. “My grandparents came to Canada from Greece, seeking a safer life for their family. I’ve been honoured to call this beautiful area around the Ottawa River home for the past five years.”

Ms. Alexopoulos Read said that she sees land acknowledgements as a sign of deep respect to the Anishinaabe-Algonquin people who have faced systems of oppression and had their rights to self determination denied like many Indigenous peoples.

“Like all students here, we work to humbly unlearn and relearn, seek truth, foster reconciliation, and feed our spirit of advocacy and inclusion,” she continued. “What a joy it is to watch and celebrate this amazing group of students find completion in their school journeys.”

She asked the audience to make some room in their hearts for the former Acting Dean, Mr. Bramburger, adding he was a true pillar of the community.

“We know he would be so proud of the graduating class today,” she said. “While joy is a catalyst for community, it is during the most trying times that bring us closest together and bind us. Never in my many years have I experienced such a community as we have found here today.”

She left the audience with one last message speaking to the power of connection. She said to never forget where you come from, even when the road is winding, full of snow, or your GPS has lost signal.

“Look around you. These people are the ones you can lean on, and these connections you’ve formed will never vanish. Continue to build each other up. The world is better because we’re all together,” she concluded.

Manager of Community and Student Affairs, Jodi Bucholtz, presented Ms. Alexopoulos Read with a plaque recognizing her as the Pembroke campus’ valedictorian. The convocation proceeded with each graduate greeting Mr. Brulé on stage and receiving their diplomas before presentations for each of the college and school-wide awards.

Recent graduate of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, Vicki Alexopoulos Read, left, was chosen as Algonquin College Pembroke Campus’ 2025 Valedictorian. She is pictured accepting a plaque from Manager of Community and Student Affairs, Jodi Bucholtz.
Aimee Bailey
Julie Beauchamp
Vicki Alexopoulos Read
Claude Brulé