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Fine arts grads: meet your 2014 valedictorian

Concordia's newest BFA grad offers pearls of wisdom
June 5, 2014
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By Lucas Wisenthal


For an entire class of Concordians, the big day is almost here.

At this month’s convocation ceremonies, more than 5,000 students will receive degrees, diplomas and certificates from the university. For all of them, this moment represents the end of an incredible educational journey.

Each one of these new graduates began their time at Concordia with a single goal in mind. Now, with their studies complete, they are moving on to the next phases of their careers.

The 2014 spring convocation for the Faculty of Fine Arts will take place on June 11 at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier in Place des Arts. art Critic and curator Chantal Pontbriand, one of eight new honorands, will address the new graduates.

Pontbriand will be joined onstage by valedictorian, Katerina Korola. We asked Korola for the secrets to her success.

Katerina Korola

Katerina Korola
BFA, Art History and Film Studies
Valedictorian
Faculty of Fine Arts

Korola’s work explores the intersections of 20th-century architecture and moving image practices, travel narratives and exhibition architecture. She served as editor-in-chief of the Concordia Undergraduate Journal of Art History and curated a range of student exhibitions. She'll begin a PhD in Cinema and Media Studies at the University of Chicago in autumn 2014.

3 keys to a good education

  • The courage to challenge yourself, your thoughts and your very way of thinking.”
  • “Transforming your assignments into projects that interest you. Assignments are an opportunity to explore the themes and ideas that really inspire you.”
  • “Implicating yourself in your community. Learning does not end at the classroom walls, nor does it exist in a vacuum.”

2 lessons learned at Concordia

  • “Be generous with yourself, your time and you talents. Your generosity will always come back to you in some form or other, and you’ll have grown in the process.”
  • “So-called requirements are more guidelines than rules. It’s important not to be afraid to modify your program to suit your needs and the research you want to engage with in the future.”

1 piece of advice for future graduates

  • “Use your time at university to pursue the projects that you are passionate about, academic and otherwise. As a student, there are a wealth of resources at your fingertips, from faculty mentorship to grants and institutional support. Take advantage of these to realize (or, more importantly, test out) your ambitions and talents.”


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