Northwestern Polytechnic Graduates Honoured at 2026 Convocation

Northwestern Polytechnic (NWP) honoured its 2025-2026 Grande Prairie graduates this week in the Douglas J. Cardinal Performing Arts Centre. Over 300 students were celebrated by NWP faculty and staff, as well as family, friends and supporters.

Ceremonies took place on June 10 and 12, during which graduates were addressed by special guests and the event emcee, Vice-President Academic, Dr. Jodi Schultz.

“We’re proud to take this moment to appreciate the efforts and achievements of our graduates,” said Dr. Schultz. “Completing their studies at Northwestern Polytechnic is only the first step in a lifetime of making meaningful contributions to their communities and chosen professions.”

On day one of Convocation, the Paul J. Evaskevich Valedictorian Award was presented to Lane Muggaberg, who excelled in NWP’s Science, University Transfer program. After taking a gap year after high school, Lane chose NWP to pursue his studies. “I value post-secondary education a lot,” he explains. “It’s not compulsory - it’s making a choice to better your life.”

When asked what contributed to his success, Lane thinks immediately of his instructors. “My biggest thank you is to the professors at NWP,” he says. “It feels like they want you to succeed.” The Sexsmith native also talks about how quickly he felt at home in the classroom and on campus. “I felt comfortable meeting new people of different ages, like being in class with someone just out of high school and another who had been in the industry for ten years.”

Lane has been accepted at the University of Alberta to continue his studies. 

“If you put the time and effort into yourself and your education, there are very real rewards,” he observes. “It opens doors.”

Courtney Dyck completed her Practical Nurse diploma in NWP’s School of Health and was named NWP’s Valedictorian during day two’s ceremony. Courtney, the first woman in her immediate family to pursue post-secondary education, says that this is a huge honour.

“I threw myself into my studies to be a better nurse. I didn’t realize it would lead to being valedictorian as well,” says Courtney. Her instructors also informed her that she’s the first member of the Practical Nurse program to be named valedictorian. 

“The more I learn, the more honoured I am!”

Courtney was led to nursing after a gap-year mission trip to Uganda. She credits her spiritual community of church and family for their support and encouragement, and gives thanks to her strong faith for helping her through her studies. Now employed at Grande Prairie Regional Hospital, Courtney speaks highly of the practical nurse scope of practice and the amazing instructors that she could put her trust in.

NWP President and CEO Vanessa Sheane offers her congratulations to every member of the 2025-2026 graduating class. “The determination and perseverance shown by these students will serve them well wherever their studies take them. This group of graduates has a great deal to offer, and many more achievements ahead of them,” says Dr. Sheane. “We applaud their success today and in the future.”

For more information about Northwestern Polytechnic’s programs and events, visit NWPolytech.ca.