�԰ɵ�� Ready to Celebrate Graduates at 2025 Convocation Ceremonies

By Joan Donald and Gail Surkan to Receive Honourary Degrees on Jun 05, 2025

Graduating students in grad hats and gowns smiling at camera. A green gradient overlays the photo and text reads Congratulations! �԰ɵ�� Class of 2025

�԰ɵ�� (�԰ɵ��) will celebrate the Class of 2025 with families, community members, faculty and staff at its 61st Convocation taking place on June 6. More than 918 �԰ɵ�� graduates from 2025 will attend the morning and afternoon ceremonies in the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre, marking the largest graduating class in the Polytechnic’s history.

“We are excited to celebrate the achievements and successes of our graduates,” says Stuart Cullum, President, �԰ɵ��. “I would like to congratulate the Class of 2025 on achieving this important milestone. As graduates, they will be stepping into a world evolving at an accelerating pace. Innovation, technology and limitless possibilities will shape their careers, offering extraordinary opportunities to lead, create and make meaningful impact in industries and communities across Alberta.”

Aubrey Reed is receiving the Governor General’s Academic Medal (Collegiate Bronze Level), achieving the highest overall academic standing amongst the 2025 graduating class. Reed completed a Legal Assistant Diploma, earning 11 A+s and maintaining a GPA of 4.0 throughout the program.

Haley Nelson is being acknowledged as the recipient of the Alberta Teachers' Association Gold Medal in Education. Nelson was selected by �԰ɵ�� faculty for demonstrating the highest general proficiency in her course work and field experiences.

The Polytechnic is also celebrating the first graduating classes of its Computer Programming Diploma, Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Education Middle and Early Years programs, Instrumentation and Automation Engineering Technology Diploma and Mechanical Engineering Technology Diploma.

Joan Donald smiles while sitting on a wooden bench in a dark blue pant suit in front of a house — *Joan Donald*

This year, �԰ɵ�� will be granting an Honourary Bachelor of Business Administration Degree to Joan Donald and an Honourary Bachelor of Arts in Multidisciplinary Studies Degree to Gail Surkan at the Convocation ceremonies. The esteemed honourary degrees recognize individuals who have made an outstanding social, cultural, or economic contribution locally, provincially and nationally.

�ٴǲԲ��’s influence on �԰ɵ�� has been transformative. A dedicated leader and philanthropist, she served on �԰ɵ��’s Board of Governors and led a campaign that raised more than $7 million for �԰ɵ��’s library. Joan and her late husband Jack are the institution’s most generous benefactors, donating more than $26 million, including a groundbreaking $20 million gift to establish the Donald Family Institute for Healthtech Innovation. Her efforts and vision have helped propel �԰ɵ�� as a leader in education, training and applied research.

A smiling Gail Surkan, sits wearing a grey pantsuit on some dark wooden steps — *Gail Surkan*

Surkan has been a driving force in shaping the Polytechnic and beyond, leaving a lasting imprint through her leadership and advocacy. As Red Deer’s first female Mayor (1992–2004), she strengthened ties between the city and �԰ɵ��, securing a partnership for a new library, which led to additional funding. Surkan’s leadership extended to the Canada Winter Games Board, in part helping develop the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre. She also spearheaded the Central Alberta Economic Partnership. Gail’s influence spans finance, health care and education, earning numerous accolades for her visionary leadership.

Since 2014, the Polytechnic has bestowed Honourary Degrees to 15 individuals, including Donald and Surkan.

More details about �԰ɵ��’s 61st Convocation, and a livestream of the ceremonies on June 6, are available at: rdpolytech.ca/convocation.