Congratulations, class of 2026!

Mount Royal University was filled with pride to watch more than 1,800 graduates receive their degrees, diplomas and certificates during Convocation 2026. From June 10 to June 12, six ceremonies celebrated Mount Royal’s newest alumni, who were cheered on by supportive friends, family, faculty members, employees and fellow students — all who played part in their academic journey. They were days of commemoration and camaraderie combined with a tad of apprehension of the unknown, however there is no doubt the class of 2026 has the tools and the skills needed to face it all with clearly demonstrated intelligence, ethics and perseverance.

Those 1,800-plus graduands-turned-graduates make up more than half of the total graduating class of 2,310. They now join the welcoming MRU alumni family of close to 118,000 strong.

It is not a "farewell," however, but more of an "until we meet again," as all alumni are encouraged to stay in touch and keep accessing the resources MRU provides.

You always belong here!

• Find all six Convocation ceremony videos in this playlist
• Convocation program
• Learn about our Honorary Doctor of Laws recipients — Coming together for community
• Six ceremonies over three days
• Indigenous Honouring Ceremonies
• Governor General’s Award recipients
• Centennial Gold Medal recipients
• Alumni speakers

Meet some of our exceptional graduates

• Danaë Webb
  Bachelor of Arts — English (Honours)
  
  
• Ashley Lawson
  Bachelor of Science — Biology
  
  
• Zach Eliason
  Bachelor of Business Administration — Finance
  
  
• Stacey Alexander
  Inclusive Post-Secondary Education Certificate
  
  
• Paige Fell
  Bachelor of Health and Physical Education — Physical Literacy (Honours)
  
  
• Therese Zoltan
  Funeral Service Diploma

Six ceremonies over three days

Over three rainy days in June, more than 1,800 degrees, diplomas and certificates were officially bestowed by Mount Royal University’s chancellor, Arlene Strom, the ceremonial head of MRU. She is both a champion and ambassador for the University, helping to advance its interests as well as the interests of the post-secondary sector. Each parchment features the chancellor’s signature, and it is the chancellor who formally declares students have earned their credentials.

During each ceremony, Strom announced her honour to be involved and began with Mount Royal’s official Land Acknowledgement, followed by an opening from one of Mount Royal’s esteemed Elders.

In addition to celebrating its graduates, Mount Royal’s Convocation recognizes its community, which has been built by more than 125 years of education in Calgary. Strom referenced the words of author Simon Sinek, who wrote, “a community is a group of people who agree to grow together.”

Mount Royal’s brand is Grow Beyond, and is reflection of MRU’s commitment to helping students expand their potential, push past expectations and step confidently into their futures.

True collaboration is much more than being agreeable and working politely alongside others, Strom advised. It is much more than that.

“The challenges facing our world are not solved by individuals acting alone, but by people willing to work together with humility, respect and a shared sense of purpose,” she said.

“Collaboration is more than simply being kind to one another. It is about listening deeply, valuing different perspectives and recognizing that meaningful progress happens when we bring our strengths together in service of something greater than ourselves. Strong communities are built by people who choose connection over division, and contribution over recognition.”

MRU’s graduates carry the potential for immense impact. One that can shape workplaces, neighbourhoods and communities.

“Across Canada, we are living through a time of uncertainty; economically, socially, and globally. We see it in public discourse. We see it in anxieties about affordability and opportunity. We see it in how nations respond to various pressures, which remind us of how interconnected we are,” she said. “And yet, in moments of challenge, Canadians have repeatedly shown something remarkable: an ability to come together.

“Remember that the world is influenced not by authority alone, but by the powerful example you set: through your integrity, generosity, curiosity, courage and commitment to serving something larger than yourselves.”

President and Vice-Chancellor Tim Rahilly, PhD, stood to say that Convocation is the best part of the year for everyone at MRU. It is a moment of great tradition, honour and pride in accomplishments and recognition of a community that worked to lift each other up through times of adversity and challenge, and that celebrated alongside each other when goals were achieved.

“As you leave this institution, you will carry with you degrees, diplomas, expertise and professional skills. Those matter. But I hope you also leave with the lessons that cannot be measured on a transcript. You have the skills to discern truth, listen with an open mind, to have a conversation with someone who has different opinions from you, and to adapt and persevere,” Rahilly said.

“Please remember that this is not an ending, but the start of a lifelong journey of growth. Just as you have transformed during your time at MRU, I am certain you will continue to evolve, challenge conventions and surprise yourselves with all that you will accomplish next.”

MRU also introduced its new ceremonial mace this year. The mace has deep roots in academic institutions and is a gift from Rahilly, who reimagined its design to truly reflect the MRU community. 

“What I really wanted was this notion of us all coming together to celebrate our students who have achieved something fantastic,” Rahilly said.

Calgary sculptor Sinéad Ludwig-Burgess was selected to bring the project to life and worked primarily in welded steel and mixed media. The design drew on Mount Royal’s original crest and incorporates the Alberta wild rose set with an ammolite stone. Three circular forms at the mace’s base represent the past, present and future — a reflection of the student journey from arrival to graduation and beyond.

Provost and Vice-President, Academic Chad London, PhD, introduced each honorary doctorate recipient, which was then bestowed by Strom. The inspirational speeches by the new PhDs can all be found on MRU’s YouTube channel.

Each graduand then became a graduate as they walked the stage to receive their parchment while their friends and family roared in approval. All graduating classes were addressed by another alumni, one who had already left the University but maintained their ties through MRU’s Office of Alumni Relations.

Ceremonies were closed with the time-honoured tassel toss, where graduates move their tassels from the right side of their mortarboards to the left. This symbolic gesture officially concludes the Mount Royal educational journey, but not the relationships that will last long into the future.

Special guests of Convocation 2026 included former mayor of Calgary, Jyoti Gondek, Misheck Mwaba, president of BVC, and MLA Calgary-Buffalo MLA Joe Ceci.

Indigenous Honouring Ceremonies

Oki, Aba Wathtech, Danit’ada, Tanisi, Welcome.

On Tuesday, June 9, Mount Royal held its annual Indigenous Honouring Ceremonies, an event that has taken place since 2018 and has continuously grown and evolved since then. This year 52 graduates took part in front of a crowd of more than 500 supporters in celebration of those who have learned to walk, dance and play in both the western and Indigenous worlds.

More than 100 First Nation, Métis, Inuit and Non-status Indigenous students were invited and graduate yearly from MRU. They come from MRU’s Indigenous University Bridging Program, Transitional Vocational Program, and other certificate, diploma, and degree programs. Mount Royal University is home to nearly 900 learners who represent First Nation, Métis, and Inuit communities from across Turtle Island.

The ceremony began with a procession led by flag bearers and drummed in by the Sorrel Riders. Elder Miiksika’am (Clarence Wolfleg) then provided an opening prayer and blessing.

Marija Small Legs (Piikani Nation), Mount Royal’s Iniskim Centre’s student success coordinator, offered words in gratitude to the students for entrusting her to be part of their academic journeys.

“Thank you for teaching me. Thank you for letting me be part of the process. I hope as new graduates, you continue the work to ensure calls to action are met, and that our childrens’ experiences are different from yours. You are working towards solutions, better outcomes  and fostering healthier relationships … The world needs your voices,” Small Legs said, and noted that the event’s venue — the Bella Concert Hall — consists of several architectural elements reflecting Alberta’s rural heritage.

Chancellor Arlene Strom also provided congratulations, followed by an address from President and Vice-Chancellor Tim Rahilly, PhD.

“This ceremony is more than a celebration of academic achievement. It is a recognition of perseverance, identity, community and belonging. It is an opportunity for us, as a university community, to acknowledge the many journeys that have brought our graduates to this moment; journeys shaped by determination, sacrifice, family support and the strength of culture and tradition,” Rahilly said, and that the graduates’ success could not come without the help of others.

“Success is rarely an individual accomplishment. Success is collective. It is rooted in relationships, encouragement, and community. Thank you for walking alongside our graduates and helping make this day possible,” he said.

John Fischer, interim associate vice-president of the Office of Indigenization and Decolonization, then stood in front of the crowd.

“We refer to education as the new buffalo,” Fischer said. “The buffalo (Ini, Tatanka, Xani, Paskwa Mostos) is what leads us to a good life. Buffalo provides food, shelter, and clothing. Education can do so, too, as well as additional riches that we pick up and carry on our educational pathways. It leads to a good life.”

He remarked that the graduates have all grown as leaders and changemakers, and now have additional roles for which they will be called upon. Their achievements will be noted and their input required.

Tori McMillan (Berens River First Nation), director of MRU’s Iniskim Centre, provided further background of Indigenous education at Mount Royal, starting with the name “Iniskim,” which was suggested by a Siksika Nation student named Rory Loftus in 2007, the first year of the centre’s existence, and then officially transferred by Elder Leonard Bastien of Piikani Nation the following year.

“This name translates to ‘Buffalo Calling Stone’ and it is a powerful story that teaches us about resilience and the importance of ceremony for collective wellness,” McMillan said. “Today, the Iniskim Centre offers academic and cultural support, along with residence and mentorship programming for students to build a community on campus.”

Graduates with a certificate, diploma, or degree received a Metis sash, an ulu, or an Eagle feather and Pendleton blanket.

Dion Simon, coordinator for the Naato’ohsokay / Medicine Trail Program at MRU, explained the significance of each.

“Symbolizing love, leadership, truth and power, holding the eagle feather, one is empowered with truth, through heart, mind and speech. The Métis sash is honoured to those with outstanding cultural, political and social contributions. It is considered of great honor and is worn with pride, esteem and nationhood,” Simon explained.

“The ulu is a cutting tool specific to the culture of the Inuit. It has been significant to traditional subsistence strategies, namely hunting and harvesting. The ulu is an exceptional honour and signifies a traditional rite of passage, marking a profound new milestone in one’s life journey. The Pendleton blanket is a symbol of respect and warmth, a tradition that conveys the value of comfort, care and well-being to the individual.”

Watch the replay of the Indigenous Honouring Ceremonies.

2026 Governor General’s Award recipients

The Governor General’s Academic Medal, established in 1873, is one of the most prestigious awards that can be earned by a student for exceptional academic achievement in a Canadian educational institution. On behalf of Her Excellency, the Right Honourable Mary Simon, governor general, Mount Royal University is pleased to congratulate Xochi (Clint) Anne MacLeod and Kayla Aren Evenson for their outstanding achievements.

Xochi (Clint) Anne MacLeod was awarded the Silver Medal for achieving the highest academic standing of all graduates in a degree program. MacLeod graduated with a Bachelor of Arts — Criminal Justice (Honours) and a minor in law and governance and has a cumulative GPA of 4.0.

Kayla Aren Evenson was awarded the Bronze Medal for achieving the highest academic standing of all graduates in a diploma program. Evenson graduated with an Aviation Diploma and has a cumulative GPA of 4.0.

Read more about the Governor General’s Award recipients.

2026 Centennial Gold Medal recipients

This Centennial Gold Medal is patterned after the Henry Birks and Sons Gold Medal and commemorates a deep tradition of academic achievement and leadership. First established in 1935, it is Mount Royal’s highest award for student academic achievement.

Joban Brar graduated with a Bachelor of Computer Information Systems with minors in marketing and data science and was selected as the 2026 Centennial Gold Medal Recipient for the Faculty of Science and Technology.

Ayden Ali graduated with a Bachelor of Arts — Sociology major and marketing minor and was selected as the 2026 Centennial Gold Medal Recipient for the Faculty of Arts.

Angelo Lozancic graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration — Accounting and was selected as the 2026 Centennial Gold Medal Recipient for the Faculty of Business, Communication Studies & Aviation.

Jessica Cuillerier graduated with a Bachelor of Education — Elementary with a minor in French and was selected as the 2026 Centennial Gold Medal Recipient for the Faculty of Health, Community and Education.

Read more about all of the Centennial Gold Medal recipients.

Professors emeriti

This designation acknowledges faculty members for their significant contributions during their long-term association with Mount Royal University and recognizes a distinguished, highly meritorious career.

Dr. Catherine Pearl, PhD

Pearl was an assistant professor of social innovation and the former interim department chair for international business, supply chain management and aviation within the Bissett School of Business. She served as Mount Royal’s first tenure track professor of social innovation. Holding multiple leadership roles. Pearl was also chair of the Department of Marketing, Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation.

Ben Kunz

Kunz is a designer, artist and maker who served as a long-standing faculty member within Mount Royal's information design program. His academic background includes undergraduate studies in fine art and graphic design from the University of Alberta, where his early roles as a typographic technician and teaching assistant established a career-long focus on visual storytelling and the mechanics of making language visible.

Dr. Patricia Kostouros, PhD

Kostouros is a registered psychologist and retired professor who served within the Department of Child Studies and Social Work. Her academic background includes a Bachelor of Arts, a Master of Arts, and a PhD, complemented by her credentials as a certified child and youth care counsellor. Her extensive experience is rooted in community leadership, where she managed youth and women’s shelters and served as the executive director of a residence for women navigating trauma and addiction.

Dr. Maggie Quance, PhD

Dr. Maggie Quance, PhD, is a registered nurse with more than 50 years of experience and the former associate dean, Research and Scholarship, for the Mount Royal’s Faculty of Health, Community and Education. Her academic background includes a Bachelor of Nursing, a master’s degree from the University of Manitoba and a PhD from the University of Calgary, and her extensive experience spans clinical, administrative and educational roles, including significant work as a bedside nurse in labour and delivery.

Read more about MRU’s newest professors emeriti.

Alumni speakers

Wednesday, June 10 — 10 a.m. ceremony

Faculty of Science and Technology
Faculty of Arts

Bachelor of Arts — English
Bachelor of Interior Design

Fahad Zaidi
Bachelor of Computer Information Systems, 2012

Zaidi is a director of software engineering at Neo Financial, Canada’s and Calgary’s fastest-growing startup. Prior to Neo Financial, Fahad spent four years with another software startup, Quorso, and held roles of increasing responsibility in management consulting. Zaidi holds a bachelor’s in computer information systems from Mount Royal University, a master’s in technology project management from DePaul University and was named one of Canada’s Top 40 under 40 in 2025 by Business Elite. Zaidi continues to be involved with Mount Royal as an advisory board member and speaker.

In his address to the graduates, Zaidi said, “I want you to always think of saying ‘yes’ to things that scare you. Comfort is nice, but courage is what’s going to ultimately build a life that you’re proud of.”

Wednesday, June 11 — 2 p.m. ceremony
Faculty of Arts

Jenn Lofgren
Business Administration Diploma, 2007

A 2007 Mount Royal graduate with a diploma in business administration, Lofgren is an award-winning leadership coach and the founder of Incito, a leadership and executive coaching organization that helps executives across Canada and worldwide unlock their leadership potential. She is one of only 60 coaches in Canada to hold a Master Certified Coach designation, placing her in the top five per cent of coaches globally. In 2025, she was named to WXN’s list of Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100. She is a generous volunteer who mentors students and future entrepreneurs.

Lofgren advised the grads, “Build community. Be vulnerable, take risks and give joyously. These are the people who will celebrate your successes, challenge you to grow and pick you up when you need it.” 

Thursday, June 11, 2026  — 10 a.m. ceremony
Faculty of Business, Communication Studies and Aviation

Tim Morgan
Aviation Diploma, 1975

Since graduating from Mount Royal with an Aviation Diploma in 1975, Tim Morgan has dedicated more than 40 years of entrepreneurship and leadership to Canada's aviation industry. As a founder or co-founder of multiple aviation businesses, including WestJet, Enerjet (Lynx Air), Morgan Air (Air Partners) and Unity Aviation, Morgan helped bring both affordable air travel and tailored business aviation services to Canadians. He continues to serve as a business advisor for multiple ventures and is helping to inspire the next generation of pilots as a generous supporter of Mount Royal’s aviation programming.

Morgan’s personal input to the new alumni was, “You will make mistakes. Sometimes big ones. But you will recover. These are valuable lessons learned, and many times you may not know exactly what to do, but use those mistakes to help clear the path. Pass these lessons on, both good and bad.”

Thursday, June 11, 2026  — 2 p.m. ceremony
Faculty of Business, Communication Studies and Aviation

Alexandra Swiston
Bachelor of Business Administration — Marketing, 2019

Swiston graduated from Mount Royal with a Bachelor of Business Administration — Marketing in 2019. Following graduation, she built her career across leading global organizations, including Ernst & Young and TEKsystems, where she led strategic pursuits and advised on digital transformation initiatives. Swiston is the founder of Alex’s Atelier, where she partners with clients on marketing strategies and storytelling, helping translate complex ideas into clear, compelling narratives. She remains actively engaged in the MRU community as a volunteer, speaker and former member of the Alumni Council.

In her words to the new grads, Swinton said, “In a world obsessed with efficiency, remain deeply human. Your credentials may open doors, but your character is what carries you through them.”

Friday, June 12, 2026  — 10 a.m. ceremony

Faculty of Health, Community and Education
Faculty of Continuing Education and Extension

Eden Wilson
Bachelor of Health and Physical Education — Sport and Recreation Management, 2019

Wilson is a Canadian bobsleigh athlete and advocate. A Calgary local, she graduated from Mount Royal in 2019 with a bachelor’s in sport and recreation management. Since joining the national bobsleigh team in 2020, Wilson has competed globally, most recently representing Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Cortina, Italy. Beyond the track, Wilson is dedicated to youth development through her work with KidSport Calgary and as an RBC Classroom Champions mentor. Her athletic and community contributions were professionally recognized in 2026 with her induction into the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame.

To the graduates, Wilson advised, “Say yes to opportunity. Some of the most meaningful experiences in life begin with a step into the unknown.”

Friday, June 12, 2026  — 2 p.m. ceremony

Faculty of Health, Community and Education

Neepin Auger
Bachelor of Education — Elementary, 2015

Auger is a Bigstone Cree Nation artist and educator who was inspired to pursue post-secondary studies following the birth of her daughter. A 2015 graduate of Mount Royal’s inaugural Bachelor of Education class, Auger went on to pursue a master’s degree and now serves as a high school vice-principal. Through painting, writing and teaching, she champions Indigenous culture through storytelling — work that earned her a spot among Calgary’s Avenue Magazine’s “Top 40 Under 40” in 2025.

In her address to the attendees, Auger said, “If you are ever afraid to do something, do it anyway. Change happens outside your comfort.”