Convocation 2016
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The Convocation 2016 archive includes stories about the Class of 2016, distinguished citizens and convocation awards winners. There's also see photos, programs and videos.
Graduates of the Class of 2016 were celebrated during three convocation ceremonies.
Two convocation ceremonies were at the Vermilion Regional Centre on June 3.
More than 350 of the 497 candidates for graduation from the environmental sciences, fire and emergency services, human services, agricultural sciences, interior design technology and street rod technologies programs sported green and gold as they crossed the stage to receive their credential.
Lloydminster graduates from business, energy and petroleum technology, health and
wellness, and university transfer programs donned caps and gowns during their convocation
ceremony on May 27. More than 160 of the 206 candidates attended the celebration.
“This is an exciting time for all of you. Before you go, I’d like to remind you of
Lakeland’s motto: Ever to Excel,” said Alice Wainwright-Stewart, president of Lakeland
College, during the ceremonies. “Today you have fulfilled one part of the motto –
you’ve excelled by graduating – and now wherever you go, whatever you do, I am confident
that you will continue to do just that: Excel.”
President’s Medal recipients
Leadership and involvement within the college and community are qualifications for the president's medal.
The 2016 Lloydminster campus President’s Medal recipient is Don Shaw, a business administration diploma student who shined in and beyond the classroom.
From peer tutor to student member of the Board of Governors, Shaw also sat on several
councils and committees. He was also a member of the Business Club and was one of
five students on the award-winning Alberta Deans of Business Case Competition team.
While at Lakeland, Jana MacLeod – an animal heath technology student – excelled in her studies and lab work, as well as various extracurricular activities. The 2016 Vermilion campus President’s Medal recipient was the president of the Agility Club, helped fundraise for the Lloydminster & District SPCA, peer tutored first-year AHT students and worked part-time at the Eastalta Co-op.
Top marks
Shelby Robbins cecame the fifth animal health technology (AHT) to receive the Governor General's
Academic Medal for the highest average at Lakeland College.
Distinguished recognition
Members of the Lakeland’s alumni family and the local community were also lauded for
their achievements.
During the convocation ceremonies, Laryssa Whittaker, Class of ’91, and Edmund Lefsrud, Class of ’65, were recognized as the 2016 Distinguished Alumni.
Ross Ulmer and Jean Paré were presented with honorary degrees as the 2016 Distinguished Citizens.
“It’s an honour to have them all as wonderful role models for our graduates,” said Wainwright-Stewart.
Photos (top to bottom): Lloydminster grads throw their caps in celebration. Don Shaw receives the President's Medal from Alice Wainwright-Stewart, Lakeland's president. Shelby Robbins with her Governor General's medal for highest academic standing. Ed Lefsrud receives an honourary credential as part of his induction as a Distinguished Alumni.
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2016 Convocation flickr collections. Each collection has several albums from each event:
Go directly to the 2016 Vermilion convocation program, or view the e-document below. You can make it full screen and also download/print it.
Use this direct link to the 2016 Lloydminster Convocation program, or view the e-document below.
Lloydminster
Alexandra Unger, Business Administration
Father: Glen Unger , Class of 1987 Mother: Jennifer (Hadlock) Unger, Class of 1987
Elenee Nolin, Business Administration
Mother: Maria (Kokonas) Nolin, Class of 1990
Vermilion
Alex Antos, Animal Science Technology
Father: Darren Antos, Class of 1987
Ashley Bosch, Crop Technology
Mother: Elizabeth (Schega) Bosch, Class of 1985Kristine Brown, Bachelor of Applied Science: Enviro Management (centre)
Mother: Darla (Towriss) Brown (right), Class of 1986 Father: Thomas Brown, Class of 1984 Grandmother: Lenora (Wilkinson)
Brown (left), Class of 1962
Larry Buchanan, Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation
Father: Barry Buchanan, Class of 1972
Tyler Chiliak, Crop Technology
Mother: Ramona Chiliak-Louise, Class of 1993
Kaitlyn Davediuk, Environmental Conservation and Reclamation
Mother: Lori (Hallwachs) Davediuk , Class of 1993
Jacquelyn Davidson, Crop Technology
Father: Todd Davidson, Class of 1996
Rachel McLean, Bachelor of Applied Science: Enviro Management
Mother: Heather (Bauer) McLean, Class of 1987 Father: Patrick McLean, Class of 1998
Shawnie Johnson, Agribusiness
Father: Evan Johnson, Class of 1996
Naomi Mason, Interior Design Technology
Mother: Shelley (Hughes) Mason, Class of 1990
Olivia Milne, Early Learning and Child Care
Grandfather: John Milne, Class of 1954 Great Grandfather: Harold Gares, Class of 1917
Tyrell Roeleveld, Environmental Science
Mother: Tracy (Thiessen) Roeleveld, Class of 1990
Edward Schultz, Crop Technology
Grandmother: Natalia (Heibner) Schultz, Class of 1947Kyla Smith, Early Learning and Child Care (left)
Mother: Valerie (Galareau) Smith (right), Class of 1983
President's Medal recipient built successful skillset
While word of mouth brought Jana MacLeod, Class of 2016, to Lakeland College, career-relevant and cutting-edge learning opportunities helped her to excel
“I heard it was the college vets wanted techs from and I heard that it was a really amazing school from other people who had gone there, so I decided it was for me,” says MacLeod, who completed a bachelor of science degree at the University of Alberta prior to enrolling in Lakeland’s animal health technology (AHT) program.
“I wanted to build more skills and be ready to work in the field, and that’s what I did at Lakeland.”
But that’s not all MacLeod accomplished. For her leadership and involvement within the college and the community, MacLeod was awarded the 2016 President’s Medal (Vermilion) when she graduated on June 3.
“I honestly didn’t think I deserved it because there are a lot of people who do really great stuff, so it’s very exciting,” she says.
While at Lakeland, MacLeod was busy with her studies and lab work, and various extra-curricular
activities. As president of the Agility Club, MacLeod coordinated practices and events,
arranged for clinicians and attended leadership meetings.
As a club leader, she helped coordinate volunteers for Band in the Sand and volunteered herself at the student-run event. With the AHT program, she helped fundraise for the Lloydminster & District SPCA. MacLeod also peer tutored first-year AHT students and worked part-time at the Eastalta Co-op.
“I wanted the full experience and I knew Lakeland had a lot more to offer than just the classroom experience,” she says. “I learned a lot from it all and as a person, I really grew. It was awesome to see how much I could do and how much I could contribute. It definitely helped me to see how much it takes to be a leader.”
Over the course of the two-year diploma program, MacLeod gained real clinical experience that she says made the transition from campus clinic to animal hospital a success.
“The hands-on learning opportunities at Lakeland are incredible. Coming into the work field with this experience was just fantastic because I felt really good about the skillset I developed. Instead of just reading about it, I had done pretty much everything at Lakeland,” says MacLeod, a multiple student awards recipient. “I am really thankful for the amazing instructors Lakeland has. The Town of Vermilion was so welcoming and easy to be in away from family. All in all, it couldn’t have been better.”
Before she finished the program, MacLeod completed a six-week practicum with the Wood Buffalo Small Animal Hospital in Fort McMurray, Alta., and afterwards was hired as a full-time animal health technician. In May she helped to evacuate the hospital due to the wild fires in the area.
“The clinic is still standing and hopefully we will be returning soon,” says MacLeod. “Once we’re allowed to go home, we can get back to work.”
Photos: Top, Jana MacLeod was named the 2016 Vermilion campus President's Medal recipient.
She was presented with the medal at the afternoon convocation ceremony on June 3.
Middle, MacLeod had the opportunity to learn both in the college's small animal clinic
and on the Student-Managed Farm - Powered by New Holland. She's pictured in the Dairy
Learning Centre. Bottom, as the Agility Club president, MacLeod pursued her passion
and developed leadership and organization skills, among others.
President's Medal recipient shines beyond the classroom
If he can do it, anyone can. That's the advice Don Shaw, Class of 2015 and 2016, has for future Lakeland College students. And Shaw accomplished a lot during his two years at Lakeland.
From peer tutor to student ambassador and student member of the Board of Governors,
Shaw immersed himself in activities beyond the classroom. He was a member of the Academic
Council, Student Executive Council and Connectivity Committee. Shaw was also a member
of the Business Club and was one of five students on the award-winning Alberta Deans
of Business Case Competition team.
“It didn’t feel like extra work,” says Shaw, a multiple student awards recipient. “I am grateful for the opportunities I had but I don’t think what I was doing was over and above. Anybody can sign up for a committee; anybody can read notes and share their opinions. The formalities of it might seem challenging, but if I can do it, anyone can do it.”
For his leadership and involvement within the college and the community, Shaw was selected as the 2016 President’s Medal recipient at the Lloydminster campus.
“I worked very hard this year at Lakeland to make it as much of an experience as I could. When I was told that I would be receiving the President’s Medal I was ecstatic,” he says. “I am not sure if I am the most worthy recipient, but thank you to Lakeland for choosing me.”
Shaw was presented with the 2016 Lloydminster campus President’s Medal along with his second credential – business administration diploma, accounting major – from Lakeland on May 27. The previous year he completed the college’s accounting technician certificate program.
“I wish I could do two more years at Lakeland College, but I don’t think my boss could get along without me,” says Shaw with a laugh. Before he graduated, Shaw was busy in May getting married and working at the St. Paul & District Co-op as the assistant office manager.
“Before I went to school, the Co-op was very generous to me when it came to my education,” says Shaw, who’s been with the Co-op for almost a decade. His long-term goal is to continue working with the Co-op, either on the retail or corporate side, and he’s contemplating running for town council.
“There is a path ahead of me, I just have to choose,” he says. Shaw’s path also includes working on a bachelor of commerce degree, with a focus on accounting, online through Athabasca University in the fall.
Reflecting on his Lakeland experience, Shaw says he’s most proud of being part of the 2015-16 Deans of Business Case competition team. Lakeland’s team competed against 13 other post-secondary institutes and placed second at the provincial competition this year.
“I have never had so much fun in my life as when I did working with my four peers and Brad (Onofrychuk, instructor) at the competition and leading up to it,” he says. “My time on the Board of Governors was also invaluable to me. I will miss that the most and the opportunities that Lakeland presents.”
Photo: Don Shaw with the 2016 President's Medal. The Class of 2016 grad is now working on a bachelor of commerce degree.
AHT student awarded Governor General's Academic Medal
Being part of the Rustlers Rodeo Team, being able to board her horse on campus and being able to take the lead in labs are the top three highlights of Shelby Robbins’ Lakeland College experience.
“Whenever I needed to, I could ride my horse and that was a big deal for me. But so
were the labs,” says Robbins, a member of the Class of 2016 who completed the animal
health technology (AHT) program.
“I really enjoyed the labs because they were so hands-on. Everything that you learn in class, you actually do in the labs. When I went to apply the skills I learned in school during my practicum, I had that experience already and it was so helpful to have at work.”
Robbins excelled in the AHT program – so much so, that she is the 2016 Governor General’s Academic Medal recipient – which means she has the highest average at Lakeland College.
“I am very honoured to be recognized with this,” says Robbins, of Daysland, Alta.
From a young age, Robbins wanted to work with animals. Following three semesters at the University of Alberta and some time spent working in a vet clinic, Robbins made her way to Lakeland College to pursue her passion.
“I went from classes with hundreds of students to smaller ones here. Lakeland instructors took the time to know who we are and I found that they were the best part of this program,” she says. “They were all so supportive and helpful.”
Achieving the highest academic standing was not without its challenges for Robbins
given her extra-curricular activities. Beyond the classroom she was a member of the
Rustlers Rodeo Team and a member of the Rodeo Club. Robbins was also a member of the
Canadian Intercollegiate Rodeo Association and Alberta Barrel Racing Association.
“It was a lot to juggle but I really enjoyed school,” says Robbins.
Prior to finishing the AHT program, Robbins completed a six-week practicum at Burwash Equine Services. Working with four veterinarians proved to be a valuable learning opportunity.
“I really liked it – it didn’t even feel like a practicum,” she says. Now, Robbins is working full-time with Cor Veterinary Services and plans to further her education in equine rehabilitation.
“I gained a lot from Lakeland, not only from class but from being on the rodeo team. I made friends with so many different people and it helped me to gain more experience in everyday life.”
Robbins is the fifth AHT student to receive the Governor General's Academic Medal.
Photos: Top - Robbins receiving the medal from board chair Darrel Howell. Bottom - barrel racing
Lakeland provided strong foundation for alumnus
Since graduating from the Vermilion Agricultural and Vocational College (now Lakeland College) in 1965, Edmund Lefsrud has been dedicated to the agriculture industry.
Edmund Lefsrud credits his college education and former principal, Bill Baranyk, with
providing a strong foundation for a successful career in agriculture.
“I went back to college just after I graduated for some reason and Mr. Baranyk told me he had a job for me,” recalls Lefsrud. “In a roundabout way he put me into the world of the seed business, certainly agriculture. He was the one who pointed me in the right direction and I needed some discipline in my life and that position gave it to me.”
More than 50 years after his own convocation, Lefsrud received the Distinguished Alumni award for the Vermilion campus on June 3 and was inducted onto the college’s Alumni Wall of Distinction.
Lefsrud started his career working as a seed inspector with Agriculture Canada for two years before purchasing the family farm near Viking. For almost 50 years, Lefsrud and his wife Ellen have worked together to expand their farm to 5,000 acres and several companies, including Lefsrud Seed and Processors Ltd., and 6 King Genetics.
As an accredited seed grower, Lefsrud provides clean certified seed to farmers and companies across Alberta, across Canada and even around the world.
For more than 30 years, Lefsrud has dedicated his time to the Alberta and Canadian Seed Growers’ Associations and he has held several roles on these boards including the presidency for both the Alberta Seed Growers’ Association and the Canadian Seed Growers’ Association. For his significant and dedicated service, Lefsrud has received several awards including the Canadian Seed Growers’ Robertson Associate Award, the Long Service Award and the Outstanding Service Award.
“I always wanted to be in farming,” says Lefsrud, who’s also a licensed pilot. “I
kind of adored my father and he was pretty good at farming so I just followed in his
footsteps somewhat.”
From 4-H to the local Lions Club, Lefsrud is a committed volunteer for numerous organizations. Lefsrud Seed and Processors donates to fundraisers and supports research for the development of a new oilseed pea product and has sponsored youth to attend leadership courses. He’s also a proud member of Lakeland College’s Alumni Association.
In 2003, the Lefsrud family farm became a century farm, with Lefsrud’s son, Kevin, being the fourth generation farmer in the family to work the land. As an active member of the farming community, Lefsrud continues to share and teach the value of agriculture.
“I believe that being a farmer and a seed grower has truly allowed me to contribute to my community. I believe in seeing the next generation of farmers develop and grow into this honourable profession,” says Lefsrud. “That’s what we’re doing – feeding the world with the best knowledge, best education and best product that we can.”
Photo: Top, Georgina Altman, vice president of advancement, presented Edmund Lefsrud with a commemorative plaque in honour of being chosen as the 2016 Distinguished Alumni (Vermilion campus). Lefsrud was inducted onto the college's Alumni Wall of Distinction. In his address to the graduates, Lefsrud said: "What you know is worth a lot; who you know is worth more. Join you alumni family." Bottom, Lefsrud's Class of '65 yearbook photo.
Lakeland College proved to be the starting point for academic excellence and innovative research for Laryssa Whittaker.
Originally from Marwayne, Alta., Laryssa enrolled in Lakeland’s university transfer program and was among the first students to study at the new Lloydminster campus, which officially opened in 1990. She then completed a bachelor’s degree in church music at the Canadian Bible College before she obtained a bachelor of arts and a master’s degree in ethnomusicology at the University of Alberta.
As she worked towards a PhD at Royal Holloway, University of London, Laryssa undertook research in South Africa at the meeting point of two of the discipline's subfields: medical ethnomusicology and economic ethnomusicology. She researched music outreach programs for youth that aim to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities by intervening musically and practically to reduce South Africa’s profound socioeconomic inequality.
Royal Holloway awarded Laryssa with a PhD in 2015 – a culmination of four years of research, travel, analysis and writing. Her work was also recognized by the Society for Ethnomusicology, an American-based international academic society, in 2014, when she was awarded the Charles Seeger Prize for the best student paper at the previous year's conference. Laryssa now shares her expertise as a teaching fellow and visiting lecturer at Royal Holloway.
“I am glad that there are places like Lakeland in smaller communities because it makes higher education accessible. And it can be the start of finding those new vistas, those new points of view that you might not have come across otherwise,” says Laryssa.
Music inspired success for Distinguished Citizen
For nearly four decades Ross Ulmer has excelled in the business community – a feat he attributes to his family’s philosophy of giving back.
In honour of his achievements, Lakeland College inducted Ulmer to the Wall of Distinguished
Citizens during the Lloydminster campus convocation ceremony on May 27.
Prior to receiving an Honorary Bachelor of Applied Business Degree at the ceremony, Ulmer congratulated the Class of 2016 and shared his “lessons from a trombone player.”
“By getting a degree or diploma, you’re not part of the majority anymore; you have made the decision to excel and you have done what only one in three Canadians does in getting advanced education. Congratulations and well done,” he said.
“When you start working, you are playing a concert every single day of your life. Make sure that you set your standards of performance; make sure you work well with others; make sure you don’t practice on your customers; and with all of your knowledge, personality and your vision to thrill your audience, thrill the customer. The reward is the thrill you give yourself.”
Growing up in North Battleford, Sask., Ulmer watched his father Joe work his way from the parts department to dealer at Boyd Brothers, a Chevrolet dealership. His community involvement was an inspiration to Ulmer.
Before working in automotives, Ulmer studied music professionally obtaining a bachelor’s and master’s degree. Following two years with the RCMP Band in Ottawa, Ulmer joined the family business. After working as a service manager at Ulmer Chev, Ulmer became a partner with his brother Doug and father in 1984. By the time they expanded their business to Lloydminster in 1987, they had three dealerships.
“I’ve learned that being part of someone else’s growth is one of the most exciting activities you can do. My desire to be a part of others’ success has stood our business well. My job became that of producing managers, then producing individuals who can general manage a dealership and then coaching general managers to excel. It’s a big reason why we grew from one dealership to 14,” says Ulmer.
“What has made me succeed from music? Number one, I have high standards. I always want the job to be done better than average. How will you perform? Choose excellence.”
An ardent commitment to customer service and community has garnered Ulmer Auto Group a number of accolades including a CADA Laureate Award, Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year, Mayor’s Award for Sustained Support of the Arts, Motor Dealer Association of Alberta – Rural Dealer of the Year, and four-time winner of the GM Triple Crown award.
However, the accomplishments that are most meaningful to Ulmer include his marriage
of close to 40 years and his three incredible daughters, current and former business
partners, and his community contributions.
Known for his community involvement, Ulmer has been an instrumental supporter of numerous
organizations including the Lloydminster Regional Theatre Foundation, local Rotary
Clubs, Lloydminster Region Health Foundation, Lakeland College and First Baptist Church,
among many others.
“It’s a paradox of life that I have never figured out, but the more you give, the more you get.”
Photos: President Alice Wainwright-Stewart and Board of Governors Chair Darrel Howell presented Ross Ulmer with an honorary degree during the Lloydminster campus convocation ceremony on May 27.
Honorary degree for top-selling cookbook author
Fifty-three years after her first catering job, Jean Paré was recognized as Lakeland College’s Distinguished Citizen and was presented with an Honorary Bachelor of Applied Business Degree during the Vermilion campus convocation.
“It’s like coming full circle – it all started at the college and here I am returning,” she said at Vermilion ceremonies on June 3.
Even though they’ve finished their studies at Lakeland College, Paré encourages the Class of 2016 to never stop learning.
“Now they are entering the real world and the main thing is to keep learning and to do something that they’ll enjoy,” said Paré. “I know I always enjoyed my work and ended up with a company that was like extended family. It was such a pleasure to work with everybody.”
Well-thumbed, shared by friends and family, and even soiled by recipe ingredients,
Company’s Coming cookbooks are fixtures in kitchens throughout Canada and around the
world, thanks to Paré.
Born in Irma, Alta., Paré’s career in the kitchen began in the 1960s when she opened a café in her hometown of Vermilion, Alta. She moved on to run a home-based catering service for more than 18 years.
Her first catering job was in 1963 for 1,000 guests at the 50th anniversary of the Vermilion School of Agriculture, now Lakeland College.
“We had no refrigeration and no heat at the college. It was a challenge alright, but it turned out well. I found that I just enjoyed it so much that I thought I would be a caterer forever. But then as result of all that catering, came the cookbooks. Then I thought I would be doing that forever. However, when I got to 83, I decided to retire,” says Paré, with a laugh.
In 1981, Paré wrote and published her first cookbook – 150 Delicious Squares – focusing on popular treats from her catering events. The first printing of 15,000 copies sold out in less than six weeks. That proved to be the first of many cookbooks in the Company’s Coming series that Paré authored.
Paré’s easy-to-follow recipes using readily available ingredients led to sales of more than 30 million Company’s Coming cookbooks before her retirement in 2010. As one of the top-selling cookbook authors in the world, Paré’s name appears on more than 200 cookbooks.
“Over the years I received letters from many people who learned how to cook through
these books. The youngest one who wrote was six years old and the oldest was 94. When
I wrote Cooking for Two, there happened to be a Vermilion boy who was heading off
to university and his mother gave him that book. He wrote me a letter telling me about
how he enjoyed the book but that the odd recipe only served one,” she said, with a
laugh.
Paré’s culinary passion led her to amass more than 6,000 cookbooks – an impressive
collection that she donated to the Culinary Collections at the University of Guelph
in 2011. In 2003, Paré was awarded the Queen Elizabeth Golden Jubilee Medal, and in
2004 she was made a Member of the Order of Canada.
Photos: Board of Governors Chair Darrel Howell and President Alice Wainwright-Stewart presented
Jean Paré with an honorary degree during the Vermilion campus morning convocation
ceremony on June 3.
We're sorry - due to circumstances beyond our control we no longer have access to archived videos of livestreamed ceremonies before we used YouTube. Please look though our Flickr photo collections. All photos are free to download.