From industry showcases to community events, Lakeland College students closed out the academic year with a series of student-led events that showcased their learning in action, industry readiness and real-world skills.

“At Lakeland, students are trusted with responsibility early and often,” says Dr. Alice Wainwright-Stewart, president and CEO. “They plan real events, manage real assets, solve real problems and learn from real outcomes. It was a busy, exciting spring where our students once again demonstrated what is possible when learning extends far beyond the classroom.”

As the Student-Managed Farm – Powered by New Holland (SMF) wrapped up operations, the commercial beef, purebred beef, extensive grazing and equine units hosted their annual Round Up Sale. The live auction featured the purebred bulls, heifers and equine colts the different student groups had spent the academic year preparing. Students welcomed producers on campus or online to bid. At the end of the event, each SMF unit had earned:

• Purebred (bulls): $122,250
• Equine (colts): $81,000
• Commercial (heifers): $19,550
• Extensive (heifers): $20,600

=Total: $243,400

Each of the SMF units also conducted their year-end presentations, sharing their findings in dairy and crop as well as purebred beef, commercial beef, extensive grazing and equine. Students in the veterinary technology program also reported on their year’s activities running the animal health clinic and agribusiness students presented their business plans.

Students in the bachelor of agriculture technology program hosted Farm 4.0, a combination tradeshow and conference that brought together industry leaders, students and producers and gave bachelor of agriculture technology (BAT) students the opportunity to discuss their practicum experiences. After a busy spring for the agricultural sciences students, they capped things off with Band in the Sand, the annual agribusiness student-managed country music festival in the Equine Centre.

On Lloydminster campus, the hair and esthetician students hosted the Border Beauty Showcase, a live hair and aesthetics competition. Lakeland students, community members, industry professionals, and local high schoolers competed in categories ranging from barbering to a full-look avant-garde.

Business students also hosted their annual tax clinics, a free service to fellow students, low-income families and newcomers to Canada. Together, they completed 125 tax returns.

Beyond campus, Lakeland students from all disciplines embarked on practicums, finished up projects, took their learning to international destinations, wrote exams and completed practical assessments.

The academic year comes to an official end at convocation, with ceremonies on May 29 in Lloydminster and June 5 in Vermilion. The end of the 2025-26 academic year doesn’t mean Lakeland’s campuses are quiet for the summer, however, as the Emergency Training Centre, Foundational Learning and Trades Centre still continue to buzz with activity.

 

Photos: Top - A student shares her findings as a member of this year's SMF. Second - Students ready to sell at the Round Up. Third: Students chat at the trade show at Farm 4.0. Fourth: A hairstylist participates in the live barnering round of the Border Beauty Showcase.