The University of Regina is joining friends and family in celebrating 2,396 graduating students who will be receiving 2,545 degrees, diplomas, and certificates at the Spring 2023 Convocation.
"I would like to congratulate all of our graduates on their academic accomplishments," said Dr. Jeff Keshen, U of R President and Vice-Chancellor. "These ceremonies are the culmination of years of hard work and sacrifice by our students. I wish each graduate all the best as they embark on new paths, set new goals, and achieve new heights."
"One of my most treasured experiences at the University is the opportunity to participate in the convocation ceremonies and to help recognize the outstanding accomplishments of our graduating students," said University of Regina Chancellor Pam Klein. "It is also an honour to welcome these new graduates to our growing family of 88,000 alumni, and I wish them much success in all their future endeavours."
Several graduates are also being recognized for their outstanding academic accomplishments, volunteer service and involvement in the community. They include:
The Governor General's Academic Gold Medal is awarded to Dr. Nicole Lerminiaux who is earning her PhD in Biology. The award recognizes the outstanding academic performance of a graduate student. Lerminiaux's doctoral thesis focused on how the mobility of bacterial genes contributes to antimicrobial resistance, microbial community dynamics, and virulence traits; addressing fundamental questions in ecology using bacterial species in lab-controlled ecosystems. Dr. Lerminiaux has published numerous papers, including one of the most cited in the Canadian Journal of Microbiology from 2019-2022.
The Governor General's Academic Silver Medal, which recognizes the most distinguished undergraduate student receiving a first degree over the past academic year, is awarded to Nolan Clarence Grad. He is also the recipient of the S.E. Stewart Award in Arts, which is awarded by the Faculty of Arts to the most distinguished graduate receiving a first degree. He is receiving his Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics with Great Distinction, a minor in Psychology with Great Distinction, and a Certificat en français langue seconde through La Cité universitaire francophone.
The President's Medal and Faculty of Nursing and School of Nursing Dean's Medal is awarded to Caitlyn Marie Spurr who is earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with Distinction. The University of Regina President's Medal is awarded at each Spring and Fall Convocation to a student receiving a first undergraduate degree who has shown academic excellence, as well as major leadership in and commitment to extra-curricular activities. The award also considers a student's leadership skills and their commitment to extra-curricular activities.
The University Medal is awarded to Saeid Hooshyar who is currently a student in the Faculty of Science. The University Medal is presented annually at Spring Convocation to the most distinguished student who has demonstrated academic excellence in all courses completed during the previous 12 months with a minimum of 30 credit hours in two terms. Saeid is pursuing a Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Mathematics with a minor in Psychology.
Other academic award recipients include:
Bronwyn Heerspink - University Medal and Faculty of Arts Dean's Medal
Serra Yasemin Al-Katib - Leon Goldman Award from the Faculty of Business Administration
Jessica Nicole Goebel - Faculty of Business Administration Dean's Medal
Ryder Varga - Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan Gold Medal in Engineering
Ariana Doucet- Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science Dean's Medal
Michelle Haug - Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation Award
Jennifer Kehoe - Bachelor of Education After Degree Convocation Prize
Shakib Dire - University Prize in Kinesiology and Health Studies
Muhammad Shafiq - Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies Dean's Medal
Alexander Ranger - W.A. Riddell Award in Fine Arts and Faculty of Media, Art, and Performance Dean's Medal
Keaira Kopec - Saskatchewan Registered Nurses' Association Gold Medal for Excellence in Clinical Practice
Mackenzie Evans - University Prize in Science
Andreea Ababei - Faculty of Science Dean's Medal
Jennifer Billington - University Prize in Social Work and Faculty of Social Work Dean's Medal
Honorary degrees will also be awarded during convocation to Mark McMorris, on June 14, and to Gloria Mehlmann, on June 15 (separate advisories are being issued for those).
The ceremonies begin each day at 2 p.m. in the Main Gym in the Centre for Kinesiology, Health and Sports on the University's main campus. A live stream of each day's ceremony will be available on the University's Facebook page, and a recording of the proceedings also posted, so students, family, and friends unable to attend in person, can view the celebration online.
