Willowbank celebrates the graduation of the Class of 2025 & holds a much-needed Homecoming for faculty and alumni
- katiehoughton4
- Apr 23
- 3 min read
On Friday April 12, we proudly celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2025 — seven outstanding students who are now launching careers in heritage conservation across Canada and the U.S. From adaptive reuse to hands-on restoration, they’re already contributing their skills to diverse, impactful work in the field.
But the celebration didn’t stop there. We also welcomed back alumni and faculty for a joyful Homecoming on campus, led by Willowbank alumna Ashleigh Bell. The day included heartfelt reunions, local storytelling, and a thought-provoking lecture by Board Chair Julian Smith on “order and disorder” in heritage practice.
A Day to Remember
The ceremony opened and closed with a powerful Indigenous welcome and reflection by Marie-Louise Bowering, Indigenous Community Connector and Willowbank Board Secretary.
Graduates invited two cherished faculty mentors to speak, Tatum Taylor-Chaubal, Senior Heritage Planner at the City of Toronto and Philip Hoad, a heritage conservation expert. Tatum added, “This year’s graduation celebrated not only the accomplishments and exceptional promise of the Class of 2025, but also Willowbank’s role at the vanguard of the heritage field. It was a reminder that the ideas and skills our program cultivates will go on to support paces far beyond our beloved campus.”
Philip added how he was passing the torch along, after nearly 40 years in Canada doing what he has loved to do, stating “I am indeed confident and proud that Willowbank students will perform their part with professionalism, care and passion.”
Our keynote speaker, Michael McClelland, Founding Principal of ERA Architects, inspired the room with his reflections on independent thinking and the unique perspective Willowbank grads bring to their work.
Voices of the Class of 2025
Class valedictorian Mattia Fritse Ondine Thillaye-Kerr addressed the audience with a heartfelt reflection, sharing how her time at Willowbank became a turning point in her life — a place where learning,restoration, and belonging came together.
During a presentation the day prior, she echoed the spirit of Gaston Bachelard’s The Poetics of Space, describing Willowbank as a“house that protects the dreamer,” capturing the deep connection between place and possibility. For Mattia, Willowbank was more than a school — it was a space that held her aspirations and gave them room to grow.
Where They’re Headed
Our grads are already contributing to the heritage and design sector in diverse and significant ways:
Launching their own business specialising in window restoration and carpentry
Pursuing a career in residential interior design with a focus on heritage-informed spaces
Working as a decorative painter at the Salt Lake Temple in Utah
Restoring a historic Lord & Burnham greenhouse from the Rand Estate in Niagara-on-the-Lake
Pursuing a career in fine arts restoration
Supporting heritage research and designation in the Planning Department at the Town of Grimsby
Contributing to conservation and adaptive reuse projects with ERA Architects
Executive Director, Katie Houghton, added, “The day was a wonderful celebration of the tremendous accomplishments that the Class of 2025 have achieved in their time as Willowbank students. These graduates represent the best of what this field can offer—skilled hands, thoughtful minds, and a deep appreciation and connection to history and community. We are immensely proud of their growth and can’t wait to see what they do next. We also want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the entire Willowbank community—students, faculty, alumni, donors, board members, and friends —whose dedication and support continue to make Willowbank possible. Your passion and commitment are the foundation of everything we do.”
With Gratitude
The graduation lunch was generously donated by Willowbank’s event partner, 124 on Queen Hotel and Treadwell Cuisine. Special thanks to Oast House Brewers for donating beverages for the graduation and homecoming events, and to Peller Estates Winery for supplying wine for the occasion. We also couldn’t have delivered such a memorable day without the support of our wonderful first-year students, who volunteered their time and energy throughout. A special thank you to Monica Salvas, Willowbank Social Media Fellow, for capturing the day’s moments so beautifully on camera.
The pre-graduation gathering featured live piano by John Crumb and local storytelling by Dave Bennison, both of Historical Niagara, adding music and meaning to the Bright Parlour.
