News Archives: Convocation Ceremony at GPRC
Monday, May 9th, 2016
GRANDE PRAIRIE – The latest graduates of Grande Prairie Regional College are being honoured for their achievements this weekend in a packed gymnasium. The total graduating class is approximately 400 for the 2015-2016 Academic Year.
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 Jennifer Tourangeau for her academic achievement, contributions to college life and personal growth.
Jennifer is one of the brightest lights at GPRC, according to those who know her. The Visual Art and Design Diploma student who has Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is an inspiration.
A member of the Lutsel K’e Dene First Nation, Jennifer serves GPRC as an Education Ambassador and volunteers for the Circle of Aboriginal Students at GPRC. It’s not only her time that Jennifer gives to GPRC, but also her work. She has donated several pieces, including a painting for the Sisters in Spirit Vigil and Walk, commemorating and raising awareness about violence towards Indigenous women and a powerful music video encouraging Indigenous students to consider post-secondary education.
“The message is not to give up just because somebody tells you you’re not going to amount to anything,” Jennifer says. “My parents were told as I was growing up, ‘Don’t set your expectations too high because she will never achieve anything.’”
Tourangeau is proving them wrong as she plans her next educational goal to attend the University of Alberta and obtain her Bachelor of Fine Arts with a minor in Native Studies in the fall of 2017. Her final career goal is to become an Art Therapist.
“I was told I’d never do anything in my life,” she said. “I said ‘yep,’ and then turned around and did it anyway.”
The Beth Sheehan Salutatorian Award 2015 is presented to Carolyn Goetjen-Pilgrim who is graduating with a Bachelor of Management in Human Resources Management, offered at GPRC in collaboration with Athabasca University.
“It hasn’t always been easy, but GPRC gave me an opportunity to complete my degree and has opened a lot of different doors for me and my future career,” Carolyn says. With her love for history, Carolyn hopes to combine her Human Resources degree with heritage resources management down the road.
Carolyn is a regular volunteer for GPRC Wolves track events, and holds the Race Director title for the annual Bezanson Bog cross-country event. She is on the board for Bezanson Agricultural Society, a committee member for the Old Bezanson Townsite and co-founder and manager of the Northern Energy U17 girls basketball team.
Representing her fellow graduates at Convocation 2016 is a great honour for Carolyn. “Beth Sheehan was a very valued builder of this community and I’m truly honoured to receive this award bearing her name. I’m honoured to represent and speak on behalf of my graduating classmates and friends from GPRC and the community,” she says. “Along the way we’ve had the opportunity to make great friends, learn from incredible teachers and we’ve been giving multiple opportunities to give back to our fellow students, the college and local community. What a great thing to be a part of.”
Convocation 2016 is the concluding ceremony of the Academic Year at GPRC Grande Prairie.
-30-
For more information, please contact:
Mark Evans GPRC Corporate Communications Phone: 780-539-2951 |