Convocation 2019

Every graduate's photo was taken after they crossed the stage. They ​are posted on our Alumni Facebook Page and also uploaded to Lakeland's flickr account. There ​is also an assortment of pre- and post-ceremony photos.

Please look though our Flickr photo collections. All photos are free to download.

How to download
You do not have to become a flickr member. Simply use the link below to access the group of photos you'd like to look at. To browse through the photos, scroll down (and then go to next page), or click on an individual photo and view as a slide show.

If you want to download a photo:

1. If you aren’t already viewing a single photo, click on the photo so it opens.
2. Look at the right hand side of the photo for a symbol of an arrow going down.
3. Choose Download/All sizes.
4. You will get a page with a variety of photo sizes to download. Click on the size you want to use. If you want to print the photo, download the original. You should also be able to print an enlargement from this size.
5. Download to your PC, laptop, tablet or phone.

2019 Convocation Flickr albums - click on the flickr logo for a collection of all the albums
 

 

• Lloydminster Convocation 2019 before, during and after the ceremony
• Lloydminster Grads 2019
• Vermilion Convocation 2019 morning ceremonies
• Vermilion Convocation 2019 ​afternoon ceremonies
• Vermilion Grads 2019

We're sorry - due to circumstances beyond our control we no longer have access to archived videos of livestreamed ceremonies before we started using YouTube. 

However, we do have a video with highlights of our 2019 ceremonies.

Krupa Shah

For Krupa Bhaveshkumar Shah, everyone has one thing in common – 24 hours in a day. “And you get to choose what you do with those 24 hours,” she says.

This philosophy by her older brother, Shah explains, is what motivated her to excel in her studies and beyond. Her leadership qualities and accomplishments are why she’s the 2019 Lloydminster campus President’s Medal recipient, an honour she received upon graduation on May 31.

“I am excited and very honoured to receive this award. To be recognized for my dedication to my studies and Lakeland over the past two years is a wonderful feeling,” says the business administration diploma graduate in the accounting major.

From Borsad, India, Shah travelled to Canada not only to pursue business studies but also to experience Canadian culture in a setting that would let her stand out. She says she found that at Lakeland.

Shah maintained a 3.51 GPA while confidently balancing school, work and life, and immersed herself in leadership roles. 

For Lakeland, she served as a student ambassador and student member of Academic Council. She emceed at the 2018 Lloydminster Donor Appreciation Celebration and volunteered at the 2018 International Student Orientation.

Shah was also a peer tutor in math, accounting and microeconomics, and a resident assistant for the Lloydminster campus Residence. She was a member of Lakeland’s 2019 business case team, treasurer for the Business Club, and secretary and facilitator for Synergy Speakers Corner.

“There were times when I felt tired and overwhelmed, but I kept my brother’s advice in mind and stayed motivated. Another piece of advice came from my grandfather. He always encouraged me to learn something new every day, no matter how small,” she says.

In the community, Shah was a mentor and volunteer at Big Brothers Big Sisters. She also volunteered at the Lloyd Style Downtown Fashion Show, 2018 Diwali Celebration with Lloyd Gujarati Community, Lloydminster Sexual Assault and Information Centre's Little Italy Gala, Residence Life Leadership Conference and Pecha Kucha 3. 

She credits much of her success to her family, as well as her instructors and Lakeland staff. “I can’t thank my parents enough for their unconditional love and support over these past two years. Even from the other side of the world, their support didn’t waver.”

Shah was also supported financially through Lakeland’s student award’s program. In 2018-19, she was the recipient of the Pat Tenney Award, Border City Rotary Club Award and Board of Governors Scholarship.

“I’m very grateful for Lakeland and the opportunities it opened up for me. I’m more confident than I thought I would ever be, and I learned many new things and gained new perspectives. I'm grateful for all that as well as the relationships I developed here. There’s not one person that hasn’t made a positive impact on my education and personal growth,” Shah says.

Shah will complete her employment with RBC Royal Bank’s Lloydminster branch and enjoy a vacation in to Toronto, Ont., before returning home to India. In India, she’ll help her father run their multi-generation tobacco processing business, as well as establish a new business. With no fixed date, Shah hopes to relocate to Canada in 2020 and continue her education.

Photos: Top - Shah with her president's medal. Bottom - Shaking hands with president Alice Wainwright-Stewart as she accepts the president's medal.

Sierra Unick

Photos: Far left - Sierra Unick receives the president's medal from president Alice Wainwright-Stewart. Left - Unick holds out her medal after the ceremony.

Lakeland experience inspires academic success

Daneca Goldsmith’s notable academic standing earned her one of Lakeland’s most prestigious accolades – the Governor General's Academic Medal.

The business administration diploma graduate received the honour at Lakeland College’s Lloydminster campus Convocation Ceremony on May 31.

“I believe in working hard. I put in the work and dedicated hours to my studies, so to have that payoff is a great feeling. I definitely wasn't expecting to be recognized for it,” says Goldsmith, an accounting major

Goldsmith excelled at her studies, earning a 3.99 GPA and a spot on the Dean’s List four times. She was also one of many business students who helped file 662 tax returns during the free tax clinics earlier this year.

“I had never done taxes before, so it was an eye-opening experience. It was also a rewarding experience to help the community and give back. With this project, I developed client interaction and time management skills, which will be a benefit in my future career.”

Now working as a bank teller for Servus Credit Union in Lloydminster, Goldsmith explains she began her Lakeland journey with no clear career path but knew pursuing business studies was a foundational step.

She chose Lakeland for its intimate class sizes and community-oriented culture. Goldsmith says her instructors took the time to get to know their students and even inspired her to turn her Lakeland diploma into a degree through Athabasca University.

“My instructors want me to succeed. This is why they were influential in my decision on pursuing a bachelor of commerce.”

Goldsmith began her degree studies shortly after finals were finished in May. Her career aspirations include financial analyst, or a career that aligns with the stock market and investment.

The Governor General's Academic Medal is awarded to the student who graduates with the highest academic standing in a diploma-level post-secondary program.

Photo: Daneca Goldsmith, a business administration diploma graduate, is Lakeland's 2019 Governor General's Academic Medal recipient.

Logan Josephison, 2^nd Generation, Heavy Oil Power Engineering
Grandfather: Morris Erickson, Class of 1961
Courtney Kinch, 2^nd Generation, Esthetician
Mother: Melanie Kinch, Class of 1995
Denise Ralph, 2^nd Generation, Health Care Aide
Daughter: Kaleigh Ralph, Class of 2013
Wade Whitstone, 2^nd Generation, Business Administration
Mother: Buffy Whitstone, Class of 2006
Emily Trynchuk, 4^th Generation (stting), Hairstyling
Mother: Edna (Fleming) Trynchuk (right), Class of 1991
Grandmother: Barbara (Hardy) Fleming (left holding a photo of her parents), Class of 1966 Great Grandfather: Ivan Hardy, Class of 1936

Leslie Brundige, 2nd Generation,  Early Learning & Child Care Certificate
Father: Allen Brundige, Class of 2009
Shelby Chanasyk, 2nd Generation,  Early Learning & Child Care Diploma
Mother: Shelley Yaceyko, Class of 1994
Courtney Corbiere, 3rd Generation (second from right),  Interior Design
Mother: Shelly (Mansfield) Corbiere (left), Class of 1996
Father: Paul Corbiere (right), Class of 1996
Grandfather: Joseph Corbiere (second from left), Class of 1962

Lee-Anna Gibson, 2nd Generation,  Child & Youth Care
Mother: Valerie (Ockerman) Gibson, Class of 1990
Alarie Guhle, 2nd Generation,  Child & Youth Care
Father: Dan Guhle, Class of 1989
Kaylie Krys, 2nd Generation,  Conservation & Restoration  Ecology
Mother: Deanna (Moran) Krys,. Class of 1995
Raquelle Paquin, 2nd Generation,  Early Learning & Child Care Certificate
Mother: Susan (Zabloshky) Paquin,  Class of 1991
Father: Leo Paquin, Class of 1992
Seanna Paul, 2nd Generation, Bachelor of Applied Science: Environmental Management
Grandfather: Marshall Kowalchik, Class of 1951
Kailee Popowich, 2nd Generation,  Educational Assistant
Father: Brian Popowich, Class of 1997
Mianna Spornitz, 2nd Generation,  Child & Youth Care
Mother: Stephanie (Cumming) Spornitz, Class of 1992
Father: Warren Spornitz, Class of 1992
Kayla Stepanick, 2nd Generation,  Early Learning & Child Care Diploma
Grandfather: Michael Klem,  Class of 1951
Ashton Steib, 2nd Generation,  Early Learning & Child Care Diploma
Mother: Kim (Barnett)  Steib, Class of 1990
Nicole Tymofichuk,  2nd Generation, Bachelor of Applied Science: Environmental Management
Mother: Shelley (Bespalko) Tymofichuk, Class of 1991
Kaley Wahpenahwasis, 3rd Generation (second from left), Water Conservation & Management
Mother: Reinetta (Lewis) Morningchild (left), Class of 2016 Grandmother: Ruth (Littlewolf) Checkosis (right), Class of 1989

Jessica Bachman,  2nd Generation,  Veterinary Medical Assistant
Father: Brent Bachman, Class of 1990
Cole Chesterman, 3rd Generation Centre),  Crop Technology
Father: Grant Chesterman (right), Class of 1988
Grandfather: James Chesterman (left), Class of 1958
Chantel Gray, 2nd Generation,  Veterinary Medical Assistant
Father: Ralph Gray, Class of 2005
Kayl Kirchner, 2nd Generation,  Agribusiness
Mother: Lori (Gabruck) Kirchner, Class of 1985
Shannia Kosolofski, 2nd Generation,  Crop Technology
Mother: Rachel (Goyan) Scott, Class of 1998
Spencer Letts, 2nd Generation,  Animal Science Technology
Grandfather: Park Letts, Class of 1954
Makayla Morgan, 2nd Generation,  Animal Health  Technology
Grandfather: Roderick  Barr, Class of 1953
Denver Prior, 3rd Generation,  Agribusiness
Mother: Mary Lee (Armitage) Prior, Class of 1986
Father: Blake Prior, Class of 1984
Grandfather: William Armitage,  Class of 1953
Cheyenne Smith, 2nd Generation,  Veterinary Medical Assistant
Mother: Linda (Hall) Smith, Class of 1985
Ethan  Cole Winsnes, 2nd Generation,  Animal Science Technology
Grandfather: Dale Winsnes, Class of 1965

Mary Holtby

An act of kindness is never wasted, according to Mary Holtby, whose accomplishments have significantly influenced her family and community.

While Mary and her husband, Harold, were building their multi-generation, mixed farm operation near Marshall, Sask., they were also building their community. Together, they helped with several initiatives including the Marshall Three Links Community Centre and the first covered ice-skating rink.

With the Odd Fellows and Rebekah Lodges, Mary spearheaded the Marshall School breakfast program. The surrounding community also benefitted from their community spirit. They contributed to the development of Lloydminster’s Junior A hockey team and projects such as the indoor swimming pool and the Vic Juba Community Theatre.

For over 55 years, Mary has been a proud member of the Marshall Golden Jubilee Rebekah Lodge #133 and served as noble grand (president) several times. She also served at the provincial and international levels. Mary was awarded the Decoration of Chivalry for outstanding service to the Rebekahs and community.

Mary served on the Lloydminster and District Co-op Board of Directors and as a Lakeland College Advocacy Committee chair. She was also a member of the Lakeland College Board of Governors and supported the Bill Kondro Wing addition.

“It was important to us to be involved in the community and help build it to be a great place to live and raise our family. A leader works hard, tells the truth and always strives to do the right thing. They help where and when they can, and they never stop learning."

Photos: Top - Holtby by her distinguished citizen plaque. Bottom: Holtby receiving her honorary degree from president Alice Wainwright-Stewart and vice chair Bryan Perkins.

Doug Elliott

Doug Elliott’s commitment to learning has played a key role in Lakeland College’s success.

From 2005 to 2011, Doug served as the chair of the Lakeland College Board of Governors. He oversaw progressive changes at Lakeland while always stressing the importance of financial stability, program quality and excellent student service. Lakeland’s programming increased, student enrolment grew and facilities and land base expanded during Doug’s tenure as chair.

The former schoolteacher and lifelong farmer also served as a program advisory committee member for the crop technology program and was a panel member on producer forums organized by students.

“Education is absolutely critical because it’s the first step in a lifelong journey of learning. The best thing that any student can learn is how to learn and how much there is to learn,” says Doug. “The purpose of Lakeland College is to give our students an opportunity to reach their potential, achieve their goals and get a great start on life.”

A longstanding supporter of Lakeland, Doug purchased a lifetime alumni membership and established the Joan Elliott Memorial Scholarship in memory of his late wife.

Doug’s volunteerism goes beyond Lakeland. Over the years, he’s served as a board chair or director of several cooperatives and industry organizations, including the Eastalta Co-op, Vermilion Seed Cleaning Co-op Association, Alberta Canola Producers Commission and the Canola Council of Canada. For his significant contributions and achievements, Doug was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

“The highlight of my work has been the people. I feel very fortunate to have been surrounded by good people and they deserve so much credit.”

Photos: Top-Eliott besides his plaque of the wall of distinguished citizens. Middle- Eliott addressing the graduates. Bottom-College president Alice Wainwright-Stewart (left) and board vice chair Bryan Perkins (right) present Eliott with his honorary degree.