Convocation Celebrates the Accomplishments of 2,529 Graduating Students

University of Regina celebrates the 2,529 students who will be receiving 2,672 degrees, diplomas, and certificates during Spring 2024 Convocation. Ceremonies take taking place on June 12,13 and 14 and recognize our outstanding award recipients and the presentation of honorary degrees to three very deserving recipients.

“Spring Convocation is a joyous occasion and, just as we anticipate and celebrate the arrival of spring each year, we look forward to Convocation as the end of one season in our students’ lives and the beginning of another,” said Dr. Jeff Keshen, U of R President and Vice-Chancellor. “To our graduating students: whether you are continuing your academic pursuits with us, attending another institution of higher learning, entering the workforce or continuing your career, the University is very proud to be a part of your growth and we look forward to your future successes.

“It is my great pleasure to preside over Convocation and observe students being presented with the credentials they have earned and join our family of more than 90,000 alumni,” said University of Regina Chancellor Pam Klein. “As it should be, Convocation is a formal occasion, steeped in ceremony and history, pomp and circumstance. It is also a celebration recognizing your achievements and you can take pride in reaching this milestone. I congratulate you all!”

Graduates being recognized for their outstanding academic accomplishments, volunteer service, and involvement in the community include:

The Governor General’s Academic Gold Medal is awarded to Elyssa Jeanne Tromp Loewen who has earned her Master of Science in Biology. The award recognizes the outstanding academic performance of a graduate student. Loewen’s thesis describes the first insects found in amber deposits in Saskatchewan and the evolutionary and ecological significance of insects preserved a million years before dinosaurs became extinct. The first chapter of her thesis became an article in the high-impact journal Current Biology. She has presented at national conferences and delivered a regular Radio Canada segment on fossils.

The Governor General’s Academic Silver Medal, which recognizes the most distinguished undergraduate student receiving a first degree over the past academic year, is awarded to Saeid Hooshyar. He is also the recipient of the University Prize in Science, which is awarded to the most distinguished student graduating with a first degree from the Faculty of Science. Saeid is graduating with a cumulative grade point average of 96.62% and was on the Dean’s Honour List every term. Saeid’s honours research examined problems across the fields of operator theory, matrix analysis, and complex analysis.

The President’s Medal is awarded to Mitchell John Brough who is earning a Bachelor of Applied Science in Electronic Systems Engineering with Great Distinction. The University of Regina President’s Medal is awarded at each Convocation to a student receiving a first undergraduate degree who has shown academic excellence, as well as major leadership in and commitment to extra-curricular activities. Brough is also awarded the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science Dean’s Medal which recognizes the achievements of an outstanding student in the faculty.

The University Medal is awarded to Vanna Hung who is currently a student in the Faculty of Science. The University Medal is presented annually at Spring Convocation to the most distinguished student who has demonstrated academic excellence in all courses completed during the previous 12 months with a minimum of 30 credit hours in two terms. Hung is working towards a Bachelor of Science in Biology.

Other academic award recipients include:

• Lindsay Demchuk - W.A. Riddell Award in Media, Art, and Performance, and Faculty of Media, Art, and Performance Dean's Medal
• Heather Foy - Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies Dean's Medal
• Amelia Gripton - Bachelor of Education After Degree Convocation Prize
• Justin Gwilliam - Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan Gold Medal in Engineering
• Thomas Haidl - Faculty of Science Dean’s Medal
• McKenna Halonen – College of Registered Nurses of Saskatchewan Gold Medal for Excellence in Clinical Practice
• Mattea Hamilton – Faculty of Nursing and School of Nursing Dean’s Medal
• Andrea Johnston - University Prize in Social Work and Faculty of Social Work Dean’s Medal
• Jenna Kazeil – S.E. Stewart Award in Arts
• Jadyn Kushniruk - University Prize in Kinesiology and Health Studies
• Robert Guy Lane – Leon Goldman Scholarship Faculty of Business Administration
• Jenna Elizabeth Meili - Faculty of Business Administration Dean’s Medal
• Ada Bran Roque - Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation Award
• Shalaine Sackman - Faculty of Arts Dean’s Medal

Honorary degrees are being awarded during Convocation to Joseph Naytowhow, June 12, Dr. Bhanu Prasad, June 13, and Dr. Marlene Smadu, June 14.

The ceremonies begin each day at 2 p.m. in the main Gymnasium in the Centre for Kinesiology, Health and Sport on the University’s main campus. A live stream of each day’s ceremony will be available on the University’s Facebook page, and a recording of the proceedings will be posted to allow those unable to attend  to view the celebration online.

Banner Photo: Graduands at Spring 2024 Convocation awaiting their degrees Photo Courtesy U of R Communications and Marketing