Advisory — University of Lethbridge readies for largest graduating class in institution’s history
The University of Lethbridge will celebrate the accomplishments of a record 1,638 students this week as the largest graduating class in the institution’s nearly 60-year history will be recognized at Spring 2026 Convocation.
Students, families and supporters will attend four ceremonies over two days at the University’s Co-op Centre for Sport & Wellness. Each ceremony will feature an address from an honorary degree recipient, while various medals and awards will also be recognized.
Some of the highlights include celebrating the graduation of ULethbridge’s fourth Rhodes Scholar, Sydney Whiting, in Ceremony II, while Board of Governors Chair Karen Reid (BMgt ’86) will participate in her first convocation since assuming her role. Friday’s final event, Ceremony IV, will see the largest cohort of Calgary campus graduates walking the stage in the 30th anniversary year of ULethbridge delivering programming in the city.
Spring 2026 Convocation ceremonies take place Thursday, May 28 and Friday, May 29 at the Co-op Centre for Sport & Wellness, beginning at 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. each day.
All four ceremonies are free of charge and open to the public and media. Following is the convocation schedule for the week.
Thursday, May 28
Ceremony I — 9 a.m. — School of Graduate Studies (MSc); Faculty of Arts & Science (BASc, BSc); Honorary Degree: Faye HeavyShield; Speaker Research Award: Dr. Borries Demeler
Ceremony II — 2:30 p.m. — School of Graduate Studies (MA, MN); Faculty of Arts & Science (BA); Faculty of Health Sciences (BHSc, BN, BTR); Honorary Degree: Robert Dawe; Excellence in Teaching Award: Rebekah Eckert
Chancellor’s Dinner — 6 p.m., Science Commons Atrium — A dinner to honour all award recipients, including those who will receive their awards at Fall 2026 Convocation. The fall awardees include honorary degree recipient Cheryl Misak, as well as Board of Governors Teaching Chair Dr. Greg Patenaude.
Friday, May 29
Ceremony III — 9 a.m. — School of Graduate Studies (PhD, MC, MEd, MFA, MMus); Faculty of Education (BEd); Combined Degrees with Education; Faculty of Fine Arts (all programs); Honorary Degree: Knud Petersen; Graduate Mentorship Award: Dr. Suzanne Lenon
Ceremony IV — 2:30 p.m. — School of Graduate Studies (MHSM, MSc (Mgt)); Dhillon School of Business (all programs); Combined Degrees with Management; Honorary Degree: Derek Redman; Volunteer Award: Erin & Shawn Pinder
Media representatives wishing to interview any of the honorary degree recipients or award winners are invited to the Platform Party staging area (A610, room at back of Urban Market cafeteria) at the following times:
Speaker Research Award — Dr. Borries Demeler — Thursday, May 28, at 8 a.m.
Honorary Degree — Faye HeavyShield — Thursday, May 28, at 8 a.m.
University of Lethbridge Excellence in Teaching Award — Rebekah Eckert — Thursday, May 28, at 1:30 p.m.
Honorary Degree — Robert Dawe — Thursday, May 28, at 1:30 p.m.
Graduate Mentorship Award — Dr. Suzanne Lenon — Friday, May 29, at 8 a.m.
Honorary Degree — Knud Petersen — Friday, May 29, at 8 a.m.
University of Lethbridge Volunteer Award — Erin & Shawn Pinder — Friday, May 29, at 1:30 p.m.
Honorary Degree — Derek Redman — Friday, May 29, at 1:30 p.m.
* Additional interview opportunities are available following the conclusion of each ceremony (approximately 11:15 a.m. for morning ceremonies and 4:30 p.m. for afternoon ceremonies). Due to time constraints, there is NO AVAILABILITY FOR THE CONVOCATION ORGANIZING TEAM PRIOR TO CEREMONIES.
Graduands and platform guests will be assembling in University Hall, Level 6, prior to each procession. Processions begin at 8:50 a.m. and 2:20 p.m.
For complete Spring 2026 Convocation information, please visit ulethbridge.ca/convocation.
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Contact:
Trevor Kenney, Manager of Public Affairs
403-329-2710
403-360-7639 (cell)
@ULethbridge
Our University’s Blackfoot name is Iniskim, meaning Sacred Buffalo Stone. The University is located in traditional Blackfoot Confederacy territory. We honour the Blackfoot people and their traditional ways of knowing in caring for this land, as well as all Indigenous Peoples who have helped shape and continue to strengthen our University community.