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.