News Archives: Convocation Ceremony at GPRC
Friday, May 1st, 2015
The latest graduates of Grande Prairie Regional College are being honoured for their achievements this weekend in a packed gymnasium. Some 250 of the students completing programs at GPRC will be attending Convocation ceremonies this year, and their families and friends will mean a capacity crowd for the occasion. The total graduating class is approximately 400 for the Academic Year 2014-2015.
Convocation ceremonies at GPRC annually include speeches from two students representing the graduates: the Valedictorian, who has completed a GPRC credential with academic excellence and contribution to college life; and the Salutatorian who has completed a collaborative baccalaureate degree at GPRC with academic excellence.
The Paul J. Evaskevich Valedictorian Award recognizes Calculus Datingaling for his academic achievement, contributions to college life and personal growth.
In his native Phillipines, Calculus was politically active and involved, and he continues to be a strong believer in human rights and freedoms and the betterment of society by democratizing access to opportunities. He came to Canada five years ago as a mature student committed to pursing studies and a future career, and has completed the GPRC Fine Arts diploma program.
At GPRC, he is one of the founding members of the GPRC Model UN club, which participates at Model UN Conferences and which helps to create awareness of international issues and diplomacy among students. He is also an active member of the GPRC Art Club and has served as a peer tutor for other students.
Calculus is a hard-working student, father, employee, and social activist. He has achieved recognition for his art and for his academic achievement. His ultimate goal is to pursue his passion for art and to continue education toward a career in the law.
“I believe that my decision to continue my studies in a program that suits my personality, I am on the right track,” Calculus says. “I believe that education is the passport to success, not a guarantee of success. Education provides the foundational skills that you can utilize as you work toward your success. It is one of the best investments a person can make in this highly competitive world.”
The Beth Sheehan Salutatorian Award 2015 is presented to Morgan Thomas who is graduating with a Bachelor of Education, Teacher Education North, offered at GPRC in collaboration with the University of Alberta.
Morgan grew up in Elmworth, attended high school in Beaverlodge, and enrolled in the Teacher Education North program at GPRC after checking out other options in Edmonton. “Moving back here and trying to figure out what I want to do with my life helped me learn I really am a teacher at heart. I like working with people. I decided I wanted to be a teacher like my sister.”
During her years at GPRC Morgan has been focused on her studies, earning scholarships and recognitions, but always found time to dedicate to her volunteer activities. She coaches junior high and high school basketball, and was also very involved in the Education Students’ Association executive council. “Working with people and then coaching really opened my eyes up to how good it feels to help people,” Morgan says. “I think I have a good sense for what other people are feeling and experiencing.”
Morgan has just completed her final practicum placement teaching grade six at Derek Taylor Public School in Grande Prairie, and looks forward to a career as a teacher in the Grande Prairie area. Representing her fellow graduates at Convocation 2015 is a great honour for Morgan. “It is nice to feel that the hard work of the past four years is recognized. I feel very lucky to be chosen to represent all of the excellent graduates of collaborative programs at GPRC!”
“Our students continue to amaze us with their personal and academic accomplishments,” says Susan Bansgrove, VP Academic at GPRC who traditionally emcees the Convocation ceremonies. “We are exceptionally proud of each and every one of these graduates as they go off in pursuit of their life dreams. We know they will be creating a better future for all of us.”
Convocation 2014 is the concluding ceremony of the Academic Year at GPRC Grande Prairie.
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For more information please contact:
Lynne Ness, Corporate Communications Officer
Grande Prairie Regional College
780-539-2951
lness@gprc.ab.ca