It's a significant feat to earn the highest grade point average across Lakeland College's Lloydminster campus, and that's not all this Class of 2023 was able to accomplish at Lakeland.

Dominic Skibba, who graduated from Lakeland's business administration diploma accounting major, was awarded the Governor General's Academic Medal for the Lloydminster campus.

Dominic Skibba, who graduated from Lakeland's business administration diploma accounting major, was awarded the Governor General's Academic Medal for the Lloydminster campus on May 26. 

“When I heard about the award, I was speechless. I was shocked that I could receive this award as an international student. There are many hard-working Lakeland students, so I am thankful,” Skibba explains.

Skibba adds about enrolling at Lakeland, "My intention was to upgrade my career as I see this as a stepping stone. I found that I was familiar with my lessons in the business program, but it was a good opportunity to refresh my knowledge.”

A group of students who make up Lakeland's School of Business Dean's Honour Roll.Skibba's work ethic at Lakeland secured him spots on the Dean's Honour Roll and President's Honour Roll. He also received the Board of Governors Scholarship and a Synergy Credit Union Award.

“I am a student who loves to challenge. I am very thankful to my teachers. I am always looking for clarification and making sure my understanding is correct. The bottom line is I was able to enhance my understanding. This is why I was able to excel,” Skibba says.

Beyond the classroom, Skibba took his knowledge and skills with TeamLakeland to the 2022 Alberta Deans of Business Case Competition. He was a student member on Lakeland's Board of Governors for the 2022-2023 academic year.

“I also have to add that this medal represents not just my effort but the support of my family, who were there for me financially and emotionally,” Skibba explains. “They supported me whenever I needed to be absent from family events. They understood when I needed to focus on my studies.”

Adam Waterman, Lakeland College Board of Governor's chair, presents Dominic Skibba, who graduated from Lakeland's business administration diploma accounting major, the 2023 Governor General's Academic Medal for the Lloydminster campus.

The international student from the Philippines came to Lakeland with a wealth of accounting knowledge and experience. Skibba has a bachelor of science in accounting from the University of San Jose-Recoletos and is a certified public accountant with the Philippine Professional Regulation Commission.

Skibba now works as an accounting technician at Deborah A Tovell Professional Corporation in Vermilion, Alta. He says he is in the process of earning his Chartered Professional Accountant designation in Canada.

Photos: Top-Dominic Skibba showing off his Governor General's Academic Medal. Middle-Dominic Skibba in a Dean's Honour Roll group photo. Bottom- Board chair Adam Waterman presents Dominic Skibba with the academic medal.