News Archives: NWP Honours Grads at Convocation Ceremony
Saturday, May 7th, 2022
Valedictorian, Stephanie Meen (left) and Salutatorian, Lindsay Halcrow (right) celebrate their 2022 Convocation.
Northwestern Polytechnic (NWP) welcomed over 350 new graduates to its alumni family. Saturday’s Convocation ceremony saw the first graduating class of NWP’s Grande Prairie campus cross the Douglas J. Cardinal stage while family, friends and faculty members watched proudly.
NWP President and CEO Justin Kohlman addressed the graduating class in two separate ceremonies celebrating diploma and certificate programs, and collaborative degree graduates.
“Today, you are making history, in more ways than one,” said Kohlman. “The 2021-22 graduating cohort will forever be one of the first classes to emerge triumphantly from Alberta’s newest polytechnic. Whether you stay in the northwest and blaze an entrepreneurial trail or take your talents on the road where others can benefit, your success will forever be our success, too!”
The convocation ceremony included messages from this year’s valedictorian and salutatorian. These graduates achieved academic excellence in their programs of study while leaving a positive imprint in their learning community.
This year, the Paul J. Evaskevich Valedictorian Award recognized Stephanie Meen, a graduate of the two-year business diploma program. Her remarks focused on how sometimes the perfect path is found when you least expect it. “I want to inspire people that have faced all different struggles and walked all different paths of life that it doesn’t matter what others think, if you put your mind and heart to it, you can get to wherever you want to be.”
Meen, who is neurodivergent, said that having the opportunity to continue her education at NWP is key to her success. “Consistency is very important for me,” she said. “Being able to build connections with my instructors has made all the difference.” Meen plans to continue to work on her degree with the dream of achieving her Master of Business in Accounting and becoming an instructor at NWP.
The Beth Sheehan Salutatorian Award recognized Lindsay Halcrow, a graduate of the Bachelor of Education, Teacher Education North (TEN) collaborative program with the University of Alberta. “I have always wanted to have an impactful career,” she said. “Teaching opened those possibilities. When I learned about the TEN program, I knew it was exactly what I wanted to do. I am excited for this next chapter and to get out there and experience everything my degree offers.”
“I am proud to share the stage with these outstanding graduates today,” said NWP Provost and Vice-President Academic, Dr. Vanessa Sheane. “The class of 2021-22 has already accomplished so much. I know that they will continue to enrich their communities in the years to come with the skills and experiences they’ve received here at NWP.”
Visit NWP.me/Convocation to celebrate our graduates.