April 15, 2020 – DUE TO COVID-19, our students have moved off the Otterburne campus and completed their final assignments and exams online. Our graduation ceremony that was scheduled on April 18th has been rescheduled for the fall. Graduation activities will now take place on October 9 & 10 over the Thanksgiving weekend.
Since it’s the end of the 2019/2020 academic year, we believe it’s timely to stop and celebrate some of our students’ accomplishments. Traditionally, we hold an annual Awards Lunch. This year, although it’s unconventional, we’re going digital with our award announcements.
Below is a summary of students we’re celebrating who’ve been selected for academic and student achievement awards. Students’ last names appear in alphabetical order under the “University College” and “Seminary” headings. The University College has prepared a more detailed document, including complete award descriptions and professor write ups on students. READ MORE.
To start, we’d like to congratulate our valedictorians – CLARK NACHTIGALL (UC) and TROY DEARBORN (Seminary). The valedictorian is a member of the graduating class who is selected jointly by faculty and the graduating class to speak on behalf of the graduates at Graduation.
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
KEEGAN BRAUN was selected for the Communications Award & the Mary Hiebert Memorial Award for Humanitarian Service – “Keegan is what I would describe as an enthusiastic student, always performing further enquiry in order to get to the bottom of an issue.” – Nicholas Greco
WILLIAM DUECK was selected for the 2nd/3rd Year Class Award – “In all the courses Will has taken from me, he has always demonstrated a high level of seriousness, diligence and dedication to his studies and a very strong work ethic.” – Morgan Mulenga
JENNA ENNS was selected for the Sheil’s Memorial Award for Missions & The Charles and Irene Christian Memorial Award – “Jenna is an extremely thoughtful student and a highly competent teacher who has a special interest in missions. She has already served cross-culturally and knows what it takes to build bridges in challenging situations.” – Cathy Rust-Akinbolaji
LAURA FRIESEN was selected as one of two recipients of the Student Life Leadership Award – “I’ve had the pleasure of working with Laura as Senior Resident Assistant. I can attest to Laura’s incredible ability to make those around her feel loved and cared for. She has this ‘chill vibe’ that draws people into organic community, expertly weaving our University’s values of living and learning together.” – Teah Goossen
ZACHARY FRIESEN was selected for the Clyde Krant Memorial Business Award – “I’ve heard Zach tutor other students, watched him explain difficult concepts to other students, help coach and mentor classmates who are struggling. And he does it all without even a trace of frustration or impatience.” – Bruce Duggan
CHARISMA GINTER was selected for the R. Wesley Affleck Graduate Award & the Stewart and Elizabeth Battram Scholarship Award – “Her leadership skills are demonstrated in her roles as student ambassador and STUCO president.” – Rebecca Dielschneider
ISAAC GINTER was selected for the Biblical Studies Award & the C.W. Hiebert Memorial Award for Graduate Studies – “Isaac is an exemplary student who has modelled excellence in academics and leadership throughout his time at Providence. He is eager to engage in classroom discussions, add interesting insights and produce thoughtful and well-researched papers.” – Christopher Lortie
JULIA GOERTZEN was selected for the Theatre Award – “Julia has great poise and versatility on stage and the innate ability to morph into her roles. Her work this year as Goneril in “King Lear,” and Gwendolyn in “The importance of being Earnest” – sadly unseen due to Covid-19 – were excellent.” – Marc Moir
ETHAN HOEKSTRA was selected as one of two recipients of the Student Life Leadership Award – “As Ethan served on Student Council, he rebranded the MNNO to ‘The Providence Weekly,’ and started the one-on-one interview show, ‘The Takeoff.’ His obvious commitment and passion for improving and engaging our community through his God-given talents and skills is inspiring and encouraging.” – Justin Harvey
SOHYUN KIM was selected for the International Student Achievement Award – “What you notice first about Sohyun is her smile. When you get to know her, you realize that she is much more than just friendly; she is a thoughtful and compassionate person who is eager to learn.” – Cathy Rust-Akinbolaji
LEIGHTON KROGSTAD was selected for the Youth Leadership Award – “Since arriving at Providence, Leighton has been singular in his long-term plans of serving the church by serving youth. He spends his summers working with different ministries, including Youth for Christ, thus supplementing his academic formation with valuable experience, and he does so with enthusiasm.” – Michael Gilmour
RYAN MCMAHON was selected for the H.H. Janson Memorial Award – “This year, I’ve selected Ryan who has exhibited stability, spirituality, acceptable academic attainment, and especially potential as an expository preacher.” – Randall Holm
DONNA MEIKLE was selected for the Social Science Award – “Donna is a model student in every way: intelligent, motivated, disciplined, engaged, friendly,…and that she has done it as a mature commuter student makes her accomplishments more remarkable.” – Dennis Hiebert
JEONGAH PARK was selected for the Music Performance Award & the Chris Derksen Memorial Award – “Over the course of the last three years, Jeongah Park has shown a determined musical spirit. She has shown herself to be one of the most hard-working and talented students in the music program.” – David Sawatzky
MEE HEE PARK was selected for the Jesse F. Lynn Memorial Award – “When Mee Hee began her MA TTESOL, her reticent manner betrayed little of the highly skilled and passionate missionary she was. Before Mee Hee and her family arrived on campus, she had spent two decades in the backwaters of Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka, teaching English and other employability skills to disenfranchised women.” – Elfrieda Lepp-Kaethler
SEAN WAKE was selected for the History Award – “I’ve very much appreciated Sean’s hard work and constant curiosity in his historical studies. Beyond a great work ethic, his interest in the past, and his cheerful disposition, what I appreciate most about Sean is his integration of faith and learning.” – Patricia Janzen-Loewen
EMILY WIEBE was selected for the 1st Year Class Award – “As Emily prepares to become a school teacher, I have no doubt that she will bring the light and compassion of Christ to her future students. Congratulations Emily! This award is well deserved.” – Luann Hiebert
Lastly, CHARISMA GINTER, JULIA GOERTZEN & MORGAN KROGSTAD were selected for the A.B.H.E. Honor Society Delta Epsilon Chi – “These three outstanding students are already gifted leaders of strong Christian character and they will go on to be difference makers in Science, Aviation and the Humanities in Canadian and global contexts. They exemplify the Providence mission.” – Cathy Rust-Akinbolaji
SEMINARY
DEREK VAN DALEN (MA) was selected as one of two recipients of the Joseph MacAulay Scholarship Award which recognizes a member of the graduating class who has maintained the highest overall scholastic record in the MA and MDiv programs with an AGPA of 3.5 or greater.
TOBI JOLLY was selected for the Dave Deschenes Counselling Award which is given to a student entering the 2nd or 3rd year of the MA Counselling Program who has demonstrated acceptable scholastic achievement, conscientiousness in Christian Service, and who shows promise for the field of counselling.
ELIZABETH KAHLE was selected as one of two recipients of the Student Life Award. The PTS Student Council offers awards to two students each year who have enhanced the spiritual and community life of the Seminary.
RUTH MALINOWSKI was selected for the Expository Preaching Award, sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Allen L. Thompson in recognition of their father, Clifford C. Dick, former Chairman of the Board at Providence. This award is given to a seminary student who has demonstrated special skill in the preaching of the Word of God.
VICTORIA MILES was selected for the Oral Communication Award, sponsored by the late Miss Gertrude McCance. The award goes to a graduating seminary student who demonstrates special skill in the public reading of Scripture, in articulation, and in general oral communication skills.
EGON SAWATZKY was selected for the Myrna Gordon Award that is presented annually to a student entering the 2nd or 3rd year of seminary studies who performs at an acceptable academic level, and shows good potential for the work of the ministry.
CHRISTOPHER SMITH (MDiv) was selected as one of two recipients of the Joseph MacAulay Scholarship Award which recognizes a member of the graduating class who has maintained the highest overall scholastic record in the MA and MDiv programs with an AGPA of 3.5 or greater.
BRENT THIESSEN was selected as one of two recipients of the Student Life Award. The PTS Student Council offers awards to two students each year who have enhanced the spiritual and community life of the Seminary.
