A Lakeland College graduate smiles as he hugs a faculty member.Lakeland College has welcomed the Class of 2023 into the alumni family in a series of three convocation ceremonies on both the Lloydminster and Vermilion campuses.

“Convocation is such an amazing, bittersweet time,” says Dr. Alice Wainwright-Stewart, president and CEO of Lakeland College. “We're celebrating our students' and their accomplishments and saying goodbye at the same time. I'm so proud of all the Class of 2023 has accomplished and can't wait to see what they do next. Welcome to the Lakeland alumni family.”

On May 26, Lakeland celebrated 130 graduates from the business, energy, university transfer, health and wellness and foundational learning programs. On June 2, it was Vermilion campus' turn as 366 graduates from agricultural sciences, human services, interior design, environmental sciences and fire and emergency services walked the stage in two ceremonies.

A group of graduating students smile down from a staircase at the Lloydminster campus.This year, Lakeland honoured Class of 1997's Marilyn Young with the Distinguished Alumni award, recognizing her pioneering work in Lloydminster's business and volunteer community. Long-time supporter Judy Sweet was recognized with the Distinguished Citizen award and given an honourary bachelor of agriculture technology.

Each year, one student is chosen from each campus to receive the President's Medal, Lakeland's highest honour. It recognizes those who have made significant impacts on the Lakeland community through leadership and other initiatives. This year's Lloydminster recipient was general business graduate Andi Raisa Noor Tabusalla. In Vermilion, environmental sciences diploma graduate Nathaniel Hak received the honour.

A group of graduating students take part in a stand ovation.

The Governor General Academic Award is presented to the student with the highest GPA, one for each campus. Lloydminster recognized business administration student Dominic Skibba. The Vermilion recipient will be announced later in the summer, after they have finished their practicum.

There were 18 generational graduates, those whose parents, grandparents or great-grandparents are Lakeland alumni, recognized.

Photos: Top - A Lakeland College graduate smiles as he hugs a faculty member. Middle - A group of graduating students smile down from a staircase at the Lloydminster campus. Bottom - A group of graduating students take part in a stand ovation.