Blog
Justice Bongiovanni, Liberal Arts graduate 2024
Justice Bongiovanni always knew he wanted to study Liberal Arts in CEGEP. He chose to do so at Vanier because he felt it was the best Liberal Arts program in the city. He has not been disappointed.
Justice wanted a program with a philosophical and historical approach to understanding the world and western society. “I have an interest in knowledge for the sake of knowledge, but also in order to be a responsible citizen.”
Discovering new ideas
“The Vanier Liberal Arts program has surpassed my expectations, in large part because of the teachers who are super engaged and who stimulate their classes and their students.” When asked what he learned that struck him most, Justice cites the ideas of Stanley Fish, a leading intellectual who believes that human interactions are a form of game. They are exchanges based on unspoken rules. “I learned that ideas are malleable and that things aren’t as rigid as I thought.”
An interest in law and political science
Ideas are important to Justice whose main interests lie in the realm of law and political science. “Our society can live in harmony due to the rules of case law and the fundamental use of precedent. Society and law are not dependent on individuals but endure because of a social belief in values and ideals that transcend individual persons and extend to society as a whole, to the collective.”
Putting his ideals to work for Vanier students through the VCSA
At Vanier, Justice was able to live by these ideals through his work in the Vanier College Students Association where he was Vice President. “What I enjoyed most at Vanier was being in the VCSA, where I succeeded in obtaining a mandatory student seat on all Program Revision Committees so that students might have a say about what they learn. I initiated the VCSA-Food Price Reduction Program (VCSA-FPRP) for students at Jake’s Café and the VCSA-Free Food Program (VCSA-FFP) that served over 7,000 free sandwiches to students.”
Getting involved in the Model United Nations
In addition to studying full time, being Vice President of the VCSA and working part time, Justice’s volunteer work earned him a Québec Youth Lieutenant Governor Award. Justice volunteered for the Vanier College Model United Nations (VCMUN) Team where he planned and budgeted for the 2024 Model United Nations conference at Vanier College.
Advice for new students
“If you’re ambitious and want to get where you’re going, hit the ground running as soon as you arrive. If you take your time, you may lose yourself. And if you need help, it’s there for you. Reach out. Staff is there to help you. It’s their job to care about your success!”