Graduates celebrate end of one road, start of another
STM College honours Class of 2026, award winners at convocation dinner
By Paul Sinkewicz
As the members of St. Thomas More College’s (STM) graduating class of 2026 walked across the stage to receive their diplomas at the convocation ceremony on Tuesday, there was no doubt the world had changed drastically from the way it looked to them just four years ago.
Just as one example, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping the way just about every facet of society works, and as the applause of friends of family died down, they now turned to face challenges never seen before.
But they are equipped for those challenges, said Dr. Carl Still, President of STM College, at the convocation celebration later in the day held at the Marquis Hall Events Centre.
The advantages the 219 graduates have derived from their education at the College, and as Arts and Science students, has prepared them to lead and succeed, he assured them.
“No one doubts that AI will affect every aspect of our lives. In fact, it already has begun to do so,” said Dr. Still. “But there are some fundamental human capacities in which you excel over machines and most other people.”
“I’ll talk about three that are frequently mentioned -- creativity, emotional intelligence, and capacity for value judgements,” he said. “An Arts and Science education develops these capacities as well or better than any other education out there.”
He invited the graduates to think about how their education has challenged them to develop not only their analytical skills, but also their creativity, their emotional maturity and their knowledge of right and wrong.
“Also, your ability to apply these concepts in real life situations. All of that is part of the Arts and Science advantage that you have,” Dr. Still said. “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.”
On that hopeful note, the evening progressed to the celebration of 48 declared St. Thomas More College students recognized as having achieved the highest cumulative weighted average in their area of study for their certificate and/or degree, and the presentation of four STM College outstanding achievement awards.
Dr. Tammy Marche, Dean of STM College, presented awards to Emily Zbaraschuk, Ario Safaeian, Jarrod Daunheimer, and Aidan Twidale, introducing each with a recitation of their impressive accomplishments, both academically and in contributions to the life of the College.
The transition from university student to diplomaed graduate on the day included a warm welcome from Brette Kristoff, herself a recent graduate of STM who is now working on campus after achieving a BA and a Master of Arts degree in Religion and Culture Studies.
She welcomed the graduates as new members of the STM alumni and encouraged them to be proud of their College.
“When I first started my journey, I was immediately drawn to the unique course offerings at St. Thomas More College, but also the community and the culture. Little did I know how formative the College, these experiences, and the people would be in shaping my own identity and career path.”
Kristoff noted the College is home to several distinct academic programs, centres, and chairs. including the Prairie Centre for the Study of Ukrainian Heritage, the Irene and Doug Schmeiser Centre for Faith, Reason, Reace, and Justice, and the Providence/kanaweyihtâkosowin Chair in Indigenous Spirituality and Reconciliation.
“So not only are these unique to our College and infinitely bound to the story of this place and the people, these are really important centres and pursuits in understanding some of the most pressing little challenges that we face as a society,” Kristoff said.
“So, as you close one chapter, as any chance students, and begin a new one at the alumni, hopefully as working professionals, and community members, be proud of where you come from and your accomplishments I know are yet to be achieved.”
CLASS OF 2026 AND AWARD WINNERS
