Order of Recognition for Graduates
Centre for Justice and Human Services
School of Human Services
- Child & Youth Care diploma (Convocate assembly room AN1806)
- Early Childhood Education certificate (Convocate assembly room AN1806)
- Early Childhood Education diploma (Convocate assembly room AN1806)
- Educational Assistant certificate (Convocate assembly room AN1804)
- Educational Assistant diploma (Convocate assembly room AN1804)
School of Justice Studies
- Criminal Justice – Corrections diploma (Convocate assembly room AN1804)
- Criminal Justice – Policing diploma (Convocate assembly room AN1804)
- Bachelor of Criminal Justice (Convocate assembly room AN1804)
- Conservation Enforcement Bachelor of Applied Science (Convocate assembly room AN1804)
- Natural Resource Compliance diploma (Convocate assembly room AN1804)
Centre for Trades and Technologies
Crooks School of Transportation
- Agricultural and Heavy Equipment Technician certificate (Convocate assembly room AN1805)
- Automotive Systems certificate (Convocate assembly room AN1805)
School of Culinary Arts
- Culinary Arts diploma (Convocate assembly room AN1805)
School of Engineering Technologies
- Civil Engineering Technology diploma (Convocate assembly room AN1805)
- Engineering Design Technology diploma (Convocate assembly room AN1805)
School of Media and Information Technologies
- Computer Information Technology diploma (Convocate assembly room AN1803)
- Multimedia Production diploma (Convocate assembly room AN1803)
School of Renewable Energy
- Wind Turbine Technician certificate (Convocate assembly room AN1803)
School of Spatial Design Technologies
- Architectural Animation Technology diploma (Convocate assembly room AN1803)
- Interior Design Technology diploma (Convocate assembly room AN1803)
Centre for Health and Wellness
School of Allied Health
- Exercise Science Diploma (Convocate assembly room AN1806)
- Massage Therapy diploma (Convocate assembly room AN1806)
- Medical Device Reprocessing certificate (Convocate assembly room AN1806)
- Medical Office Assistant and Unit Clerk certificate (Convocate assembly room AN1806)
- Primary Care Paramedic certificate (Convocate assembly room AN1805)
- Therapeutic Recreation – Gerontology diploma (Convocate assembly room AN1805)
School of Health Sciences
- Practical Nurse Refresher certificate (Convocate assembly room AN1805)
Centre for Business, Arts and Sciences
School of Agriculture
- Agriculture Sciences – Agriculture Business diploma (Convocate assembly room AN1805)
- Agriculture Sciences – Agronomy diploma (Convocate assembly room AN1805)
- Agriculture Sciences – Animal Science diploma (Convocate assembly room AN1805)
- Bachelor of Agriculture Science (Convocate assembly room AN1805)
School of Business
- Administrative Office Professional certificate (Convocate assembly room AN1805)
- Business Administration – Accounting diploma (Convocate assembly room AN1803)
- Business Administration – Business Operations diploma (Convocate assembly room AN1803)
- Business Administration – Management diploma (Convocate assembly room AN1804)
School of Environmental Sciences
- Environmental Assessment and Restoration diploma (Convocate assembly room AN1804)
- Renewable Resource Management diploma (Convocate assembly room AN1804)
- Bachelor of Ecosystem Management (Convocate assembly room AN1804)
School of General Arts and Science
- General Arts and Science – English diploma (Convocate assembly room AN1804)
- General Arts and Science – Health Sciences certificate (Convocate assembly room AN1804)
- General Arts and Science– Psychology and Sociology diploma (Convocate assembly room AN1804)
- General Arts and Science diploma (Convocate assembly room AN1804)
Graduates’ Academic Regalia
Stoles
During the parade of convocates, you’ll notice that some of our students are wearing stoles of different colours. The colour of the stole signifies the academic area where students in certificate and diploma programs studies.
Aztec Gold ..................................... Centre for Business, Arts and Sciences
Purple ............................................... Centre for Justice and Human Services
Spruce Green ................................. Centre for Health and Wellness
Grey ................................................... Centre for Trades and Technologies
Buffalo Stole
In past years, Lethbridge Polytechnic presented Indigenous graduates with a traditional eagle feather to honour their academic achievement. In wanting to do our part to conserve the eagle population, we will now commemorate the accomplishment of our Indigenous graduates by presenting them with a Buffalo Stole.
The design of the stole was inspired by a polytechnic illustration created in 2017 to mark Orange Shirt Day, a day that honours the survivors of residential schools in Canada. The design highlights Chief Mountain, an unmistakable and important landmark in traditional Blackfoot territory. It also highlights the buffalo, which historically provided for the Blackfoot people’s sustenance and basic needs. Post-secondary education is often referred to as “the new buffalo.”
Kodiak Stole
A stole for the graduating student-athletes was unveiled by Lethbridge Polytechnic in 2026. The design includes the Kodiaks logo and reflects the program’s Three Pillars – the core beliefs that guide student-athletes: Academic Accountability, Athletic Excellence and the Student-Athlete Experience. The stole celebrates the journey toward personal growth, leadership and achievement, highlighting the balance between success in the classroom and in athletic competition.
Trades and Apprenticeship Stole
In 2026, Lethbridge Polytechnic unveiled a stole for graduating Trades and Apprenticeship students. Its creation reflects Alberta’s Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Education Act, which formally recognizes apprenticeship education and the credentials earned through these programs. The stole celebrates skilled trades education and recognizes the distinct learning pathway of these graduates alongside those in the polytechnic’s other academic centres.
Hoods
Students who have earned baccalaureate degrees wear hoods of different colours that signify the academic areas they are graduating from.
Dark green ......................................................... Conservation Enforcement
Purple .................................................................. Justice Studies
Gold-trimmed .................................................. Ecosystem Management
Maize ................................................................... Agriculture Sciences
Cords
Gold Cord
Honours with Great Distinction Academic excellence at Lethbridge Polytechnic is celebrated each term when students are named to the President’s List. To qualify, students must achieve an academic standing of Honours with Great Distinction, reflecting a cumulative program GPA of 4.0. The college awards this gold cord to students to recognize and commemorate their academic achievement.
Silver Cord
Honours with Distinction Academic excellence at Lethbridge Polytechnic is celebrated each term when students are named to the Dean’s List. To qualify, students must achieve an academic standing of Honours with Distinction, reflecting a cumulative program GPA of 3.75 to 3.99. The college awards this silver cord to students to recognize and commemorate their academic achievement.
Congratulations to Our Spring 2026 Valedictorian
Paul Skretting
Agriculture Sciences – Agronomy
Paul Skretting grew up in Lethbridge and graduated from Catholic Central High School. He says he chose to attend Lethbridge Polytechnic because it was close to home and offered the hands-on experience he needed to succeed in his chosen field.
Skretting says his decision to pursue the Agriculture Sciences – Agronomy diploma was inspired by his grandfather.
“My grandpa was a farmer, and he was the first person I ever worked for, and it kindled a joy and a yearning for knowledge in this industry,” he says. “I have fond memories of spending weekends as a kid branding, fixing fences and freezing my fingers feeding cows in the winter.”
After working for his grandfather, Skretting built experience in the industry as an agriculture mechanic and, more recently, as an agronomist – a career he plans to continue after completing the polytechnic’s Bachelor of Agriculture Science post-diploma degree.
While Skretting says he experienced highlights of the Agriculture Sciences program “every week,” he especially enjoyed time in the campus greenhouse, along with field trips and networking events such as Ag Expo, Western Tractor Days and the Irrigated Crop Production Update.
In his spare time, Skretting coaches basketball and plays recreationally with the St. Francis Xavier Chaplaincy, a Catholic young adults group.
The valedictorian represents the graduating class, and the honour is based on a combination of academic achievement and service to the college, fellow students and the community.
Loretta Slomp
Interior Design Technology, Governor General’s Academic Medal recipient
Loretta Slomp fulfilled a lifelong dream in 2023 when, after completing the Grade 12 math requirement for admission, she was accepted into the Interior Design Technology program at Lethbridge Polytechnic. While raising four children alongside her husband, Loretta encouraged them to use their God-given talents to the best of their ability and, during her studies, she strived to do the same. She excelled academically and is deeply grateful to the amazing instructors, classmates and family members who supported and encouraged her throughout her studies. Following her practicum at Adora Kitchens & Cabinetry, she accepted a position in sales and design. Loretta is excited that her youngest daughter will begin the same program this fall.
Ceremonial Mace
Lethbridge Polytechnic was pleased to incorporate a ceremonial mace for the first time at the 2019 Convocation. In the academic world, the mace symbolizes the internal authority of president and board of governors. At Convocation, it is carried by Chief Marshal and Registrar Marko Hilgersom.
Employees from across campus collaborated on the design and creation of this mace. Jeremy Lauzon, Jonathan Legg and Leon Wensmann oversaw the planning, design, fabrication and installation; Tyler Wall assisted with design and provided 3D renderings; Marcia Black Water and Peter Weasel Moccasin offered input on the Indigenous design; and Kiri Stolz created the graphic design.
The team deliberately selected materials for the mace and its stand that were local, elemental and strong. The steel represents industry and the trades and technologies programs. The stone represents students, the land, the polytechnic’s Blackfoot name Ohkotoki’aahkkoiyiiniimaan or “Stone Pipe,” and polytechnic colours. The wood represents education and the transformative experience it provides. The natural colours represent the local landscape.
The mace incorporates the lines and shapes of the land with gentle curves and flowing lines; the polytechnic’s Blackfoot name in words, images and materials; symbols unique to the institution such as its crest, motto and date of incorporation; and rings that represent the past, present and future of the polytechnic.
Dr. Brad Donaldson
Dr. Brad Donaldson would like to congratulate the Class of 2025 for achieving this important academic milestone, and he looks forward to seeing the many great things they will accomplish in the next steps of their journeys.
During the Middle Ages, scholars at the earliest English and European post-secondary institutions wore wool or fur garments to stay warm in the drafty, stone buildings that were poorly heated. Presidential regalia for Canadian post-secondary institutions generally follow the tradition inherited from ancient institutions of higher learning in the United Kingdom.
While PhDs have worn black mortarboards historically (some say the tradition represents the scholar’s destiny as a builder on the foundation of knowledge), more recently soft, black velvet tams have become popular. The gold metallic tassel is reserved for those entitled to wear the doctoral gown. Each institution specifies its own patterns and colours for the gown, hood and cap for its presidential regalia. The colours in Dr. Donaldson’s presidential regalia represent the blue of the prairie sky and the green of Lethbridge’s coulees.
The hood generally communicates the wearer’s school, degree and field of study. The overall size and shape of the hood represents the type of degree, with the narrow end getting progressively longer with the higher-ranking degrees. The President’s Medallion, which carries the college crest and is a symbol of rich tradition at Lethbridge Polytechnic, symbolizes the responsibility in the Office of the President. Dr. Donaldson’s presidential robe is the most elaborate of academic gowns. It has a full sleeve with a velvet facing on the front and at the neck, and four velvet bars (chevrons) on each sleeve. Three of the bars indicate his doctoral designation, and the fourth is a distinction only allowed to polytechnic and university presidents.
Ohkotoki’aahkkoiyiiniimaan – “Stone Pipe”
Evoking the image of strength and celebrating promises made with honesty and integrity, Kainai Kaahsinnoonik (Grandparent) Peter Weasel Moccasin gave Lethbridge College the Blackfoot name Ohkotoki’aahkkoiyiiniimaan, which means Stone Pipe, in the fall of 2017.
Pipes are used in sacred ceremonies of the Blackfoot people to make an offering to Iihtsipaatapi’op, the Source of Life. The pipe kept and keeps the Blackfoot people at peace. The offering of a pipe is a promise or a peace bond made with the honesty and integrity needed to fulfill the commitment. During the offering of the pipe, everyone involved must uphold and carry out the promises made. It is not certain where or how the first pipe of the Blackfoot people came to be. Oral stories refer to a dream in which direction was given of which materials to use and where to find them. One of the places the stone used in the pipe is found is near the land where Lethbridge Polytechnic sits, within the coulees and along the river bottoms that flow into the Old Man and Bow rivers. In this coulee, a chunk of the ground would be dug up and then broken up on a nearby hard rock to get to the raw stone material within. Once the raw stone was revealed, it would be shaped to a likened form without any cracks.
Next, the stone would be baked and painted with crushed red willow. The pipe stem would be made from ashwood, which is found in Crow territory and is similar to a chokecherry branch. In a process that requires patience, these two raw materials were then shaped into one. The stone starts out rough and becomes refined. The pipe stem must be made straight and unbreakable, for when formed correctly, it represents a straight path – a good path. Once dry, it is unbreakable. These two pieces together form the pipe, which is a connection to Iihtsipaatapi’op, and a promise that keeps us together.
Honouring Blackfoot Territory
Ohkotoki’aahkkoiyiiniimaan Honour Song
Since 2017, Lethbridge Polytechnic celebrations have been enhanced by the performance of the Ohkotoki’aahkkoiyiiniimaan Honour Song – a gift to the college from Blackfoot singers and drummers Troy and Julius Delaney.
Lethbridge Polytechnic is committed to recognizing the Blackfoot and other Indigenous peoples who are an integral part of our community. The significance of the Honour Song is one of reciprocity – the polytechnic’s employees and students honouring the success of all its students with a traditional song from Blackfoot territory, the place they have chosen to meet their educational goals.
Winter Count Robe
Lethbridge Polytechnic’s traditional Buffalo Winter Count Robe was unveiled in September 2023 as part of events surrounding the National
Day for Truth and Reconciliation. A Winter Count is a pictorial calendar or history painted on a buffalo hide that carries the story of a community. The college’s story thus far was painted by Kainai Knowledge Keeper and artist William Singer III (Api’soomaahka/Running Coyote). The robe is a sign of the polytechnic’s ongoing work to understand and honour traditional cultures and ways of knowing, and it is displayed on campus for students, employees and visitors to learn from.