Graduates honoured at Spring Convocation 2025 and banquet
Charged with mission to make difference to the world, advance work of reconciliation
By Paul Sinkewicz
St. Thomas More College (STM) celebrated the accomplishments of 220 of its students at the spring USask convocation Tuesday, June 3 and feted them later in the day at a banquet at the Marquis Events Centre.
The banquet began with a Cree honour song, written specifically for the occasion by Allan Bonaise and performed with his friend Parker Neveu-Longjohn.
“This song is in my native language, and I'm a Nehio,” said Bonaise. “The white man called us Cree people, but us in our language, we call ourselves Nehio.”
“So, this is in my language, and it says for you to leave, but to go out and about, and go help your relatives. In our ceremonies, we refer to all of us two-legged people as relatives.”
“And so, myself as a singer, I'm saying: ‘My relative, go out there, try to do your best. Keep doing your best whenever you go out there. So, you guys are going to be helping the people out there in one shape or form. And you share that kindness wherever you go.’ ”
Dr. Carl Still, President of STM College, encouraged its newest graduates with a similar message, especially in regard to working on reconciliation with Indigenous people.
He said STM is a Catholic liberal arts college with an emphasis on the value of community, and as a Catholic college, we challenge our students to think seriously about ultimate meaning to life.
“That's why STM is a place where we explore subjects that secular culture often stays away from, like spirituality and religion,” said Dr. Still. “We also challenge our students to think seriously about justice and how to work for it, especially as violations of justice seem to be increasing in the world today.”
“And then at STM, we put those two things together. The search for meaning and the pursuit of justice. This combination is not new or unique to us. The biblical prophet Micah captures it in these famous words: ‘What does the Lord require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?’ ”
“In that spirit, I want to ask you to take on a commitment that requires justice, mercy, and humility of all of us. The great work of reconciliation between Indigenous peoples, settlers, and newcomers to Canada. If we hope to build a better country than the one we live in now, we need leaders who are creative, emotionally intelligent, and morally responsible. Leaders who have a strong sense of purpose and a real thirst for justice. Simply put, we need you to help our society find a way to a future where reconciliation is not just a word or a concept, but a way of life in our province and our country.”
“If you do that, you will not only be proud graduates of USask and STM, you will be nation builders of this great but unfinished country we call Canada,” said. Dr. Still. “Never forget that the ultimate measure of our College is its graduates and what they do with their education.”
Michelle Dinter-Lipinski and Norman Lipinski brought greetings to the new graduates on behalf of the St. Thomas More Newman Alumni Association (STMNAA). They suggested that “Rather than ‘what are you going to do after graduation’, ask rather ‘who are you going to be’? The doing in your life may shift over time; jobs, relationships, homes - sometimes with or without our choices. However, we do have a lot of agency over who we become and how we will face challenges that come our way.”
They encouraged the latest crop of STM alumni to get involved in the alumni association and keep their connection the College alive in years to come.
A highlight of the evening was the recognition of those students present who have achieved the highest cumulative weighted average in their area of study, and the presentation of the STM major student awards.
STM student award recipients included:
The Thomas Deis '38 WWII Memorial Prize awarded to a St. Thomas More College Student or Newman Centre member who has demonstrated an all-round excellence, leadership, and has enriched the life of STM and Newman. This year's recipient is Elisabeth Bauman.
The Thomas Deis ‘38 Prize in Scholastic Philosophy in Honour of Dr. Basil Markle S.T.D awarded annually to a distinguished graduating student of St. Thomas More College majoring in Philosophy. This year's recipient is Shay Francis.
The Right Reverend Monsignor Myroslav Kolodey Memorial Academic Prize is given annually to a graduating St. Thomas More College student with the highest overall cumulative average. The Kolodey Prize honours Fr. Kolodey, who served with the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canada and is a tribute to his vision, dedication, achievement, and love of learning. This year, the prize is awarded to Vinesh Rao.
The Fr. Henry Carr Award is awarded to a student who has shown leadership and contributed to the life of the St. Thomas More College. This year STM recognized two worthy recipients: Alayna Jones and Christine Kwon.
Earlier in the day, three STM students were also recognized with USask Arts and Science major awards:
Elisabeth Bauman received the Copeland Prize for Humanities, Vinesh Rao received the Copeland Prize for Social Sciences, and Emjay Koller received the Earl of Bessborough Prize and Haslam medal.
Please enjoy this SLIDESHOW of the STM Graduation Banquet:
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Vinesh Rao, Copeland Prize
Emjay Kollar, Earl of Bessborough Prize and Haslam medal