(rdnewsNOW/Alessia Proietti)

By Alessia Proietti

June 3: 58th Convocation

RDP celebrates first in-person Convocation since 2019, and as Polytechnic

Jun 3, 2022 | 2:57 PM

Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) celebrated its 58th Convocation on Friday, the institution’s first ever as a Polytechnic and in-person since 2019.

“This year, in addition to the graduates from 2022, we also have graduates from both 2021 and 2020 who have chosen to come to the ceremonies so they can cross the stage. This epitomizes the importance of Convocation and the meaning that it has for graduates,” said Jim Brinkhurst, Interim President.

On June 3, graduates, families, community stakeholders and employees were in attendance at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre for the occasion.

Throughout the morning and afternoon ceremonies, at 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. respectively, almost 500 of the 1,480 eligible graduates from 2022 crossed the stage, and nearly 50 graduates from the previous two years were part of the day.

The Convocation also included the first graduating classes of the Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and Bachelor of Applied Arts in Animation and Visual Effects.

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During the afternoon ceremony, the Governor General’s Academic Medal (Collegiate Bronze Level) was awarded to Brandon MacLean and presented by Earl Dreeshen, Member of Parliament for Red Deer-Mountain View. With eight grades of A+ and a GPA of 4.0 in the final year of his Justice Studies Diploma, MacLean achieved the highest academic standing of any graduate from RDP’s diploma-level programs.

MacLean credits his mother Shelley for his hard work ethic and his two closest friends Mackenzie Bertoia and Jesse Bawtinheimer for motivating him through hard times. A fitness enthusiast and dog trainer, he is now pursuing employment as a community peace officer to ultimately apply to the Calgary Police Service.

Brandon MacLean, recipient of the Governor General’s Academic Medal (Collegiate Bronze Level) with his Belgian Malinois, Koda. (Supplied)

“Earning the Governor General’s Academic Medal speaks to Brandon’s dedication and hard work throughout his program,” said Kylie Thomas, Vice President Academic and Provost. “Brandon has identified that receiving this medal is a highlight for him and, when he reflects on his time at Red Deer Polytechnic, he also notes the importance of his classmates, friends and instructors in Justice Studies.”

The institution also continued a tradition that began in 2014 with the granting of an Honorary Degree to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of social, cultural or economic development in a way that has had significant impact for RDP, central Alberta and beyond.

Jan Underwood is the eighth recipient of the Honorary Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies Degree in recognition of her commitment to developing greater inclusion and intercultural awareness across communities in central Alberta.

Jan Underwood, recipient of the Honorary Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies Degree. (Supplied)

Originally from Yorkshire, England, Underwood started her career in Red Deer in the Children’s Department of the Red Deer Public Library, delivering multicultural programs for 15 years. She then transitioned to Care for Newcomers, formerly the Central Alberta Refugee Effort, for the next 20 years in her role as Public Awareness Coordinator/Community Educator.

At RDP, Underwood has engaged in Intercultural Education with students in various program developments and leading the organization of large events.

Overwhelmed and not expecting the award, Underwood says it’s nice to be recognized for her work, but it won’t be coming to an end any time soon.

“Keep learning and also be diverse because you can,” she said to the students. “I’m at the end of my career but I’m not done yet. I want to do podcasts, and blogs, and write a book, and travel more, and be with my family more so ambition doesn’t stop just because you get older.”

With an ever-changing world over the past few years, Guy Pelletier, Master of Ceremonies at the Convocation and his first as Board Chair, echoed a similar statement to graduates.

“Education is the key to it. How we fit into the world can be improved by having education and contributing to our community, our society, our economy. We’ve got over 1,400 of those folks going out and doing that today so I would just encourage them to take advantage of that opportunity and keep learning,” he said.

Additional details about Convocation are available at rdpolytech.ca/convocation.