Fall 2023 Convocation celebrated earlier today

The enthusiasm was evident earlier today as graduates, family members, friends, faculty and staff gathered for the University’s 50th annual Fall Convocation ceremony.

Fall Convocation saw 908 graduates receive 933 degrees, diplomas, and certificates. The ceremony was live streamed on the University’s Facebook page and a recording of the event has been posted to the site so students, family, and friends unable to attend in person, can view the celebration online. 

“Teaching, learning and research is the University’s vocation, but it is our students who are at the heart of everything we do,” said University President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Jeff Keshen. “It is deeply satisfying to celebrate convocation with these graduating students and I trust their many future accomplishments will make us all proud.” 

Convocation offers a chance to celebrate the hard work and academic determination of all graduates, but many have distinguished themselves during the course of their studies: 

Sage Victoria Helen Michelle Wosminity (Bachelor of Arts in Media, Art, and Performance - Great Distinction) is the recipient of The President’s Medal, University Prize in Media, Art, and Performance, as well as the Faculty of Media, Art, and Performance Dean’s Medal. Sage is graduating with an 86.8 per cent undergraduate grade point average. Since 2019, she has received scholarships based on academic excellence and artistic merit and was named to the Dean’s Honours list multiple times. Sage is not only an accomplished artist and scholar, she has worked and volunteered throughout her studies at the Neutral Ground Artist Run Center, the Dr. Archer Library, and the University of Regina’s Archives. Sage’s own artwork was exhibited in the Fifth Parallel Gallery at the University of Regina. She is passionate about sharing history and culture and she hopes to integrate art and therapy as she moves on to pursue a degree in Psychology.

It is deeply satisfying to celebrate convocation with these graduating students and I trust their many future accomplishments will make us all proud — Dr, Jeff Keshen, University President and Vice-Chancellor 

Dr. Kenneth Clayton Wilson (PhD, Media & Artistic Research) is the recipient of The President’s Distinguished Graduate Student Award. Dr. Wilson’s research focused on Indigenous ways of knowing and being through a settler's perspective on relationships to land and place. This inventive research required him to spend two years learning basic Cree as he worked on his research. During his doctoral research, Dr. Wilson authored seven refereed journal articles, one book chapter, and two poems. His nonfiction essay "populous" was short-listed for the Constance Rooke Prize for Creative Nonfiction. Dr. Wilson has presented his work at numerous national and international conferences, mobilizing his research to benefit and educate communities.

Academic Award Recipients

Other academic award recipients include:

Ashley Jean King - University Prize in Arts
Jaya Keerthana Mallu – University Prize in Business Administration

Taylor Catherine Jane Eltom - Faculty of Business Administration Dean’s Medal
Darsh Patel  – University Prize in Engineering and Applied Science and Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science Dean's Medal
Tyson Wesley Reader-Delorme - Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation Award
James Frank Kress - University Prize in Science
Samantha Gabrielle Morrow  - The University Prize in Kinesiology and Health Studies
Jaimee Adare Dowdeswell  - College of Registered Nurses of Saskatchewan Gold Medal for Excellence
Hanna Josefa Gutting  - Faculty of Nursing and School of Nursing Dean’s Medal
Hailey Elizabeth Johnson  - University Prize in Social Work

The Fall Convocation also sees the presentation of the University’s highest honour – an Honorary Degree – to a deserving individual.

At this year’s cerenmony, that distinction goes to lawyer, entrepreneur, business leader, and sports executive Gary J. Drummond. A proud University of Regina alumnus, Gary was a founding partner of Direct Energy in the late 1980s and since that time he has successfully lead businesses in real estate, farming, ethanol production, brew pubs and tap houses, a string of oil and gas companies, an electricity and natural gas marketing company, a smart meter supplier, a security firm, and an upscale hotel in Kelowna.

Later, he was a founding partner of an investment group that purchased and operated the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League, serving as the team’s president of hockey operations for four years, a job that he thoroughly enjoyed. He was also a founding partner of a group working to establish the Atlantic Schooners franchise in the Canadian Football League.
At today’s ceremony Gary received an honorary Doctor of Laws honoris causa (LLD).

To view a recording of today’s Convocation ceremony, click here.

Today’s 908 graduates brings the total number of University of Regina alumni to more than 88,000.

Banner photo credit: University Communications and Marketing