By Sheldon Spackman

grad day!

RDC presents Lyn Radford with honourary degree

Jun 7, 2019 | 2:20 PM

Hundreds of students walked across the stage Friday as the newest graduates of Red Deer College.

RDC held its 55^th Convocation featuring 606 of its 1,668 eligible graduates. The ceremonies at 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. were the first to be held in the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre.

Lyn Radford was named the fifth recipient of RDC’s Honorary Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies Degree in recognition of her unparalleled and passionate dedication as a community builder and leader.

“I was shocked, I never expected anything like this at all, it’s a wonderful honour,” says Radford, who was Board Chair for the 2019 Canada Winter Games Host Society.

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“I just feel that there are so many people that I share this with, that it’s not just me. It’s all the people that have impacted my life and have gone along with the visions that I have seen for our community and that’s who I would like to dedicate this to – I’m very humbled.”

Radford served as chairperson of the 2006 Alberta Summer Games in Red Deer and is a past member of the RDC board of governors.

Two outstanding students were recognized for their exceptional contributions to academics and to the community.

The Governor General’s Academic Medal (Collegiate Bronze Level) was presented to Svetlana Palmer, who achieved included six grades of A+ and a GPA of 4.0 in the final year of her Legal Assistant Diploma.

“I’m very honoured and very happy to be receiving this award, it just shows that the hard work, dedication and all the time that you put in to moving towards your goal pays off,” exclaims Palmer. “I wanted to get a second education, I have a Bachelor of Arts from Russia but I wanted to be established in Canada, so I decided to get another higher education here. What is the point of going to school if you don’t want to study hard?”

Originally from Russia and immigrating to Canada in 2010, the Sylvan Lake resident now plans to grow her budding career as a Legal Assistant.

“I’m taking a long break and going back to Russia for the summer,” says Palmer. “When I come back, I will be looking for other opportunities and maybe another career and maybe go back to school!”

During the afternoon ceremony, the Red Deer College Foundation Outstanding Student Award was presented to Robin Chiles for her leadership and commitment to RDC.

“It was very humbling and an honour to be able to receive this award,” admits Chiles. “I’ve been on Red Deer College’s Board of Governors as the student member for the last four years – the only student in RDC’s history to be reappointed. As well, I work closely with the Student’s Association, CAT Fund Committee, Academic Council, whatever I can do to be a part of Red Deer College and making it a better place.”

The Red Deer native says she didn’t enroll in her Bachelor of Science Nursing program expecting to be a leader.

“Red Deer College is a wonderful place that will cultivate leaders and give you leadership opportunities and to know that no matter what situation I can step into, I can return the favour to those around me and help cultivate leaders and show them that it doesn’t matter where you are or what stage of life you’re at, you can be a leader as well in your community and help others.”

“Convocation is special, as it allows students to celebrate with their friends, families and classmates on our main campus – it creates a feeling of community at the hub of our RDC community,” says Joel Ward, President & CEO. “All of us at Red Deer College are incredibly proud of our graduates, and this is a day to take time to celebrate and honour their accomplishments.”