RDP celebrates largest-ever graduating class at 61st Convocation

“They’re coming to our institution and that’s great. It’s just a tremendous celebration for our graduates and demonstrates the accomplishments that they’ve had in their programs in achieving their credential. But also for their loved ones in seeing their sons, daughters, and loved ones cross the stage and get recognized for that is incredibly exciting. It’s just such a great celebration for us.”

Among the graduates were Aubrey Reed who received the Governor General’s Academic Medal after she earned the highest overall academic standing among the graduating class.

She completed her legal assistant diploma after she achieved 11 A+s and maintained a GPA of 4.0.

Meanwhile, Haley Nelson was named the recipient of the Alberta Teachers’ Association gold medal in education. She was selected by RDP faculty for achieving the highest proficiency in her coursework and final practicum.

“I think I’m really excited and it’s validating for me that all my hard work has paid off,” she said following the ceremony Friday morning.

Nelson said graduating from postsecondary has been a bittersweet moment because she’s excited to move on to the next chapter of her life but will miss being a student at RDP.

She wrapped up her program at the end of December and accepted a teaching position in January in Delburne where she’ll be until the end of June. The Hanna, Alta. product hopes to find a job in or around Red Deer and area.

“I’m really grateful that I’ve had the opportunity to receive postsecondary education. I’ve met lots of new friends and learned lots from my instructors and my peers in my classes,” Nelson added. “I think it set me up for success in my future career.”

RDP also presented an honourary bachelor of business administration degree to Joan Donald and an honourary bachelor of arts in multidisciplinary studies degree to Gail Surkan.

Donald and her late husband Jack donated more than $26 million, including a groundbreaking $20 million gift to establish the Donald Family Institute for Healthtech Innovation.

“I am truly honoured to be granted a bachelor of business administration honourary degree from Red Deer Polytechnic,” Donald said. “I truly believe in the power of education and lifelong learning; I would like to thank RDP for this great honour.”

Meanwhile, Surkan served as Red Deer’s first female mayor from 1992 to 2004, and she strengthened ties between the city and RDP by securing a partnership for a new library.

She also served on the Canada Winter Games board to help bring the Canada Games Centre to life and spearheaded the Central Alberta Economic Partnership.

“I feel very privileged to be recognized in this way… I’ve had the opportunity to work with the community and with the college over many decades,” she said. “You do it because you want to do it and you feel it’s important at the time. You never look for recognition but when you’re recognized and thanked for it, it feels especially sweet.”

Since 2014, the polytechnic has bestowed honorary degrees to 15 individuals, including Donald and Surkan.

by Ian Gustafson

RDP celebrates largest-ever graduating class at 61st Convocation

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