News Archives: Hats Off to Success: NWP's Convocation Celebrates 2023 Graduates
Thursday, June 15th, 2023
2023 Valedictorian Grace Larson
Northwestern Polytechnic (NWP) is welcoming more than 170 new graduates to its alumni family this week. Convocation ceremonies at the Douglas J. Cardinal Performing Arts Centre will see the latest graduating class from NWP’s Grande Prairie campus cross the stage while family, friends, and faculty members watch proudly.
NWP President and CEO Justin Kohlman will address the graduating class in two separate ceremonies, celebrating diploma and certificate recipients, along with collaborative degree graduates.
"Convocation is truly the greatest time of year on campus,” said Kohlman. “There is a lightness as any stress from the years of dedication and hard work is replaced with hope and excitement for the future.”
NWP’s convocation ceremony will include 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 is going to Grace Larson, a graduate of the Business Administration Diploma program with a Management major.
Larson plans to hone her focus on Human Resources as she continues at NWP in the inaugural Bachelor of Business Administration degree program this fall.
Larson has deep Grande Prairie roots. She grew up and graduated from the Composite High School in 2020. While she initially started her post-secondary journey at MacEwan University, she changed tack after one year, returning to the northwest and joining the wolfpack at NWP.
“NWP gives its graduates a set us of skills and knowledge that no one can ever take away,” she said. “It’s one of the things in this world that is truly invaluable.”
Emily Elsenheimer, a graduate of the Bachelor of Education Teacher Education North (TEN) program, is receiving the Beth Sheehan Salutatorian Award. Elsenheimer graduated from St. Joseph Catholic High School in 2017.
Elsenheimer started her post-secondary academic journey considering a University Transfer Education program but decided to stay at NWP to complete the TEN Program. Not only did she fall in love with the unique campus community, but she was also inspired by her instructors.
“A mantra that has really stuck with from Dr. Robyn Hanley-Defoe is that we can do hard things. We just need to learn to trust in ourselves. We’re all able to do hard things if we really believe in ourselves.”
Dr. Vanessa Sheane, NWP Provost and Vice President Academic will emcee the event and deliver heartfelt congratulations to the 2023 graduates.
"This is a momentous occasion for our graduates, who have worked tirelessly to achieve their academic goals,” said Dr. Sheane. “We are incredibly proud of their success and wish them all the best in their future endeavors."
Visit NWP.me/Convocation to celebrate our graduates.
