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RDC hosts biggest grad in history

Three students with long lists of academic achievement, along with two dedicated educators, were recognized with prestigious awards at Red Deer College’s 48th convocation on Friday. The awards were named during RDC’s biggest convocation ceremony in history with a total of 503 out of 1,800 graduates taking part in the celebrations at two ceremonies held at 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Sheraton Hotel.
RDC Convocation 120601jer
After having received her gown

Three students with long lists of academic achievement, along with two dedicated educators, were recognized with prestigious awards at Red Deer College’s 48th convocation on Friday.

The awards were named during RDC’s biggest convocation ceremony in history with a total of 503 out of 1,800 graduates taking part in the celebrations at two ceremonies held at 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Sheraton Hotel.

Jill Christie was awarded with the Governor General’s Academic Medal for earning a total of eight A+ marks in her final year in the Legal Assistant program.

The 4.0 student spent her early career working as a dental and orthodontic assistant as well as running a small, private oilfield business before she entered RDC’s program. But the student wanted a career change with the hope of quickly re-entering the workforce with a new skill set.

Erin Northey was given the RDC Foundation Outstanding Student award for her excellence in various leadership roles. The student, in the Bachelor of Education program, was the internal vice-president of the students’ association, was a member of RDC’s Board of Governors and volunteered as a peer tutor and student ambassador.

A new award presented at this year’s convocation was the University of Calgary Faculty of Arts Silver Medallion in Collaborative Programs at RDC. It was presented to Carmen Cookson-Hills who achieved the highest academic standing in a collaborative program.

Janet Welch was recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award of Excellence and Lynne Paradis was designated with this year’s G.H. Dawe Memorial Award of Excellence.

In addition to a long list of prolific educational experience, Welch was a leader during her time as an instructor at RDC, serving as the chairperson of the Centre for Teaching and Learning and of the Office Administrative program. She also served as a member of the Faculty Association and on the RDC Board of Governors.

Paradis, associate superintendent of Learning Services with the Red Deer Catholic Regional School Division, has had education influence that reaches far beyond Central Alberta. She serves as the international director for the executive of the Red Deer Rotary Club and has volunteered in the developing country of Belize. She has taught part-time in the education department at RDC for seven years and continues to help student teachers find placements each semester.

Along with graduation ceremonies, RDC is also marking the 25th anniversary of the Arts Centre.

The centre, since the state-of-the-art building opened in 1986, has housed over 40,000 actors, technicians, musicians, filmmakers and dancers who contribute to a vibrant arts community.