Kailie Stobbart

Silver medal recipient

Kailie Stobbart was awarded the Silver Medal for achieving the highest academic standing of all graduates in a degree program. Stobbart is graduating with a Bachelor of Communication – Broadcast Media Studies and has a cumulative GPA of 4.00.

What was your most memorable experience at MRU?

From meeting my lifelong friends to being elected as president of the Society of Broadcasting this year, I've had so many experiences at MRU that made it truly special. If I had to choose, it would be filming my independent media project, Delirium. Over the course of my degree, I knew I wanted to bring a dream my friend had to life. She shared her dream with my friends and me in our first year and I knew we had to turn it into a film. The perfect moment arose during my fourth year. From applying all of the skills I learned over the course of my degree, and being able to use MRU's abundance of amazing equipment to produce the film, the entire production process was truly special. To top it off, I got to showcase my film to a live audience in April and it was a truly unforgettable experience. It allowed me to fully appreciate my hard work that I put into my entire degree.

What’s next for you after Convocation?

My goal for the future is to make a tangible change for my community. Communications play a large role in how culture is built within societies and I want to be a part of leading change. Over the span of my degree, I learned about so many cultures and communities and I want to be able to allow those who do not get to be in the spotlight to share their stories. After convocation, I am going to pursue this mission and build a community of storytellers who will support one another instead of bringing each other down.

Ali Hamoudi

BRONZE medal recipient

Ali Hamoudi was awarded the Bronze Medal for achieving the highest academic standing of all graduates in a diploma program. Hamoudi graduates with a Aviation Diploma and has a cumulative GPA of 4.00.

What was your most memorable experience at MRU?

My most memorable experiences at MRU were the lifelong friendships I made along the way. From late-night study sessions to early morning flights, we stormed through turbulence together — with the help of caffeine, questionable snacks and blind optimism. Whether we were cramming for exams or just trying to find parking, having a solid crew made university life feel less like a grind and more like an adventure.

What’s next for you after Convocation?

After graduation, my next stop is the flight deck! I’m working toward my commercial pilot’s license and am hoping to fly for a major airline, ideally where the autopilot does most of the work and the passengers clap when we land. You never know where life will take you, so sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.

Kelaena Maude

Wednesday, June 11, 2025
10 a.m.

Kelaena Maude graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration — General Management (Honours) with a concentration in social innovation and is the 2025 Centennial Gold Medal Recipient for the Bissett School of Business.

What was your most memorable experience at MRU?

My time at MRU has been defined by the support and inspiration I’ve found through the social innovation concentration. Both faculty and staff have been instrumental in shaping my path, offering mentorship, encouragement and real-world insight into how we can support and walk alongside community-driven efforts. I was surprised, and grateful, for how my tendency to question everything wasn’t just tolerated, but seen as part of the learning process and the work itself. The program’s unique blend of theory and practice has deepened my understanding of systems and strengthened my capacity to contribute meaningfully to social change.

What’s next for you after Convocation?

From a career perspective, I’m excited to join the wonderful team at the Institute for Community Prosperity, where I’ll be leading art for social change projects, continuing to question everything and looking for new opportunities to learn, stretch and grow in the work.

Rodney Omoku

Thursday, June 12, 2025
2 p.m.

Rodney Omoku graduated with a Bachelor of Science — Biology with a concentration in ecology and evolution and is the 2025 Centennial Gold Medal Recipient for the Faculty of Science and Technology.

What was your most memorable experience at MRU?

One of my most memorable experiences at MRU happened in my second year, when my friends Augustine, Ibrahim and I faced a challenging day — a major midterm and a high-stakes presentation, back-to-back. As determined overachievers, we decided to stay late on campus to prepare for both. But as the hours dragged on, so did our energy. Mental fatigue hit hard — we were exhausted, unfocused and on the verge of giving up.

To break the tension, I suggested we turn our studying into a game. We created a quiz-show style challenge where each correct answer earned a point and the loser had to do something silly — like act out a concept or recite a definition in a funny voice. What started as a way to study became a burst of laughter, learning and renewed motivation.

That night reminded me that the people around you can turn even the most stressful moments into something meaningful. We ended up acing both assessments, but more than that, I walked away with a deeper appreciation for friendship, resilience, and the kind of support that makes even the hardest days feel doable.

What’s next for you after Convocation?

After Convocation, my journey doesn’t stop — I’m still chasing my dream of becoming a medical doctor. While I didn’t get accepted into medical school this cycle, I’m not discouraged. If anything, it’s fueled my determination even more. I plan to use this time to grow — gaining hands-on clinical experience, working on meaningful projects and continuing to develop the qualities that will make me a more compassionate and capable future doctor.

At the same time, I believe in celebrating how far I’ve come. Graduating is a milestone I’m proud of, and I want to honor it by embracing joy and balance — so I’ll be travelling more, exploring new places and making memories while I prepare for the next step. This chapter is about growth, gratitude and staying resilient on the path to my dream.

Zoe Say

Friday, June 13, 2025
10 a.m.

Zoe Say graduated with a Bachelor of Arts — Psychology (Honours) and is the 2025 Centennial Gold Medal Recipient for the Faculty of Arts.

What was your most memorable experience at MRU?

I have been privileged to participate in a plethora of rich experiences while at MRU, including assisting with meaningful research on intercultural therapy, presenting at an international conference in Milan, a field school in Sri Lanka, contributing to increasing equity on campus through the psychology department’s EDI Committee, and my own honours research. Two experiences stand out as particularly meaningful. The first was getting accepted into the Anitopisi Indigenous Leadership Program through the Institute for Community Prosperity (ICP) three years ago. This was a year-long program with a small cohort, led by Latasha Calf Robe, another alumni. We did a deep dive into the intersection of systems thinking and reconciliation, including land-based learning, ceremony, Blackfoot knowledge systems, mapping out systems of inequity and a capstone project. This experience shifted how I exist in the world, and will forever shape a deep-rooted passion for reconciliation. I was able to carry that learning forward into leading an offshoot program called Anitopisi Learning Circles, and have also chosen to focus my future psychology career on a decolonized approach to psychology. The second experience was this past spring, when I was able to participate in MRU’s Research and Scholarship Days. I presented my honour’s thesis, titled, “Foreign Bodies: Exploring how chronic pain influences one’s relationship with their body.” My study came out of reflecting about my own personal experience and a topic that felt undervalued and under-researched. I presented with a fellow honours psychology student who had participated in the Indigenous Leadership Program with me, and presented to several professors who I knew well. Their questions afterwards were thoughtful and profound, and helped me reflect on and hone my final thesis. Standing there presenting my year of research to so many familiar individuals, who had shaped my journey profoundly, reminded me of what I love about MRU. It is an intimate community of people who care, and one of infinite opportunity; one only has to say “yes” and many doors will be opened.

What’s next for you after Convocation?

My plan is to go on to graduate studies in counselling psychology, with the aim of registering as a psychologist. I hope to open a trauma-informed practice, which centres relationality, embodiment, reflexivity, cultural safety and a decolonized approach to psychology. Currently, I am working part-time at the Calgary Family Therapy Centre doing work in grant writing, communications and equity work, and am continuing my work at the Institute for Community Prosperity in running the Anitopisi Learning Circles program. Additionally, I am currently in the Apoema Research Lab at the University of Calgary, and volunteer on the ReconciliAction Committee at the Calgary Family Therapy Centre. I look forward to continuing to learn and growing my skills and experience.

Brielle Pedersen-Skene

Friday, June 13, 2025
2 p.m.

Brielle Pedersen-Skene graduated with with a Bachelor of Midwifery and is the 2025 Centennial Gold Medal Recipient for the Faculty of Health, Community and Education.

What was your most memorable experience at MRU?

Some of my most cherished memories at MRU happened in and out of the classroom. With most of our courses delivered online, our in-person midwifery labs quickly became something special. Whether we were learning how to take a blood pressure, start an IV, catch a baby and suture or manage emergencies, those hands-on moments were filled with laughter, shared stories and unwavering support. It was during these times that my cohort formed a bond that felt more like family than classmates. Outside of the classroom, my fourth-year clerkship placement was the most defining experience. From the first birth of the year to the last, the all-nighters, rural home visits, busy clinic days, six-week discharges and everything in between gave me a deeper understanding of what it means to be a midwife. In these moments, I saw the importance of my role as a care provider. When you see the impact you can have on a community, even the smallest moments become the most memorable.

What’s next for you after Convocation?

Although I'm originally from Vancouver Island, I've found a new sense of home in the prairies. Through my clinical placements, I discovered a passion for rural midwifery, which ultimately led me to stay in Southern Alberta. This summer, I'll be joining the midwifery clinic in Medicine Hat, where I had the privilege of completing my final placement. I'm excited to begin this next chapter, continuing to support and grow alongside the communities that inspired me so much as a student midwife.

Glenn Ruhl

Wednesday, June 11, 2025
10 a.m.

Dr. Glenn Ruhl, PhD, is a retired professor and the former chair of the Bachelor of Communication — Information Design program within the Faculty of Communication Studies at Mount Royal University. His academic background includes an honours baccalaureate, a professional teaching certificate and both a Master of Arts and a PhD in education.

His extensive experience spans both educational and industry roles, including education program manager for the Environmental Services Association of Alberta and executive director for the Canadian Plastics Industry Association (West). At Mount Royal, where he taught for over two decades, Ruhl was instrumental in the program reviews and curriculum development that led to the creation of the information design degree. His teaching areas included design, technical writing, rhetoric and ethics.

A committed scholar, Ruhl authored Grant MacEwan Community College: the first two decades - a retrospective (1995) and received Mount Royal's Distinguished Faculty Award in 2012. He is a member of the International Institute for Information Design and the Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Alpha Theta academic honour societies and he has received awards for his academic writing. As a professor emeritus, Ruhl looks forward to maintaining his connection with Mount Royal and continuing to contribute to the broader global information design community.

Brian Traynor

Wednesday, June 11, 2025
10 a.m.

Brian Traynor obtained his Bachelor of Arts at Trinity College Dublin and received a Master of Science and a Master of Engineering from the University of Calgary. After a number of years in industry, he returned to an academic environment in 2004, a few years before Mount Royal College transitioned to Mount Royal University. Traynor was a key contributor to the development of the information design program in the School of Communication Studies. His research interests include pedagogy, applied usability testing methods and health-systems communication, and he has been active in the development of international standards as an expert for the Standards Council of Canada. Most recently, Traynor was appointed as an adjunct academic staff member of Pwani University, Kenya, where he has been co-teaching and co-supervising in the Masters of Communication and Media program. He continues to support and collaborate with faculty and students in information design.

Before retiring in June 2022, Traynor was the chair of information design from 2018 to 2020 and acting dean of the Faculty of Business and Communication Studies from 2020 to 2021. Traynor was awarded the Emily K. Schlesinger Award for Outstanding Service to the IEEE Professional Communication Society in 2020. He is an active volunteer in the Patient Experience program at Foothills Medical Centre.

Mitchell Clark

Friday, June 13, 2025
10 A.m.

Dr. Mitchell Clark, PhD, has dedicated 43 years to Mount Royal University. He was chair of social work and disability studies for 9 years before moving to the department of psychology, where he was an associate professor and also served as assistant chair.

He received his Bachelor of Arts, Master of Science and PhD from the University of Calgary.

Over the course of his career, Clark led and taught in Mount Royal’s first major international program, which was based in the Gaza Strip. This initiative, supported by a series of Canadian International Development Agency grants and developed in partnership with the University of Calgary, ran for nine years. While in Gaza, Clark conducted research on disability and stress in refugee camps.

Clark then went on to expand MRU’s international engagement by establishing and directing a field school in Malaysia, which took place for six years. During this time, he led two quality-of-life research projects: one focusing on Malaysian families with members who have disabilities and
another examining the experiences of adolescents within the local school system.

Throughout his career, Clark has volunteered in leadership roles dedicated to enhancing and innovating services and supports for persons with disabilities in Calgary. To further this aim, he has also conducted research on the use of mindfulness practices for adults with disabilities and mental-health concerns.

Candice Goudie

Wednesday, June 11, 2025
10 a.m.

Before she began her career, Candice Goudie attended Mount Royal studying Sport and Rec Management. Since leaving campus, she has gained a wealth of experience in not-for-profit, event management, program development, charitable fundraising, public relations and communications. For the past 18 years, she has worked under the umbrella of Calgary’s highest profile sports organizations, leading the Calgary Flames’ community relations and charitable foundations as the Executive Director of the Calgary Flames Foundation and Community Investment for the Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation. Candice has set the standard in community investment and charitable activities but has done so under the brightest lights of the professional sports world.

Cam Bawol

BBA ’07

Wednesday, June 11, 2025
2 p.m.

After graduating from Mount Royal in 2007, Cam Bawol obtained his Chartered Accountant Designation with Meyers Norris Penny (MNP) and then spent several years in various executive positions in oil field services before he went on to build an asset backing lending company. Cam later returned to MNP where he led the corporate finance department and served as a fractional chief financial officer and controller. Today he creates value for MNP's existing and new clients through their national business development team. Cam is passionate about supporting Calgary's startup ecosystem and advises some of Calgary's most promising founders and entrepreneurs.

Grace Dafoe

BHPE ’15

Thursday, June 12, 2025
10 a.m.

After graduating from Mount Royal in 2016, with a bachelor of physical literacy degree, Grace Dafoe has since become a decorated Canadian Skeleton athlete proudly representing Canada on the world stage while using her platform to promote community, Safe Sport, and chasing big goals. Off the track, she is deeply committed to community impact through her work with organizations like Classroom Champions and KidSport Calgary—mentoring students, breaking down barriers to sport participation, and helping young people build confidence, leadership, and resilience. Grace truly embodies what it means to lead with purpose, passion, and integrity—on and off the ice.

Maryam Yaqoob

MD, B.Sc. ’17

Thursday, June 12, 2025
2 p.m.

Growing up in Iraq, Dr. Maryam Yaqoob was forced to flee home at age 16. She moved to Syria with her family until war erupted, eventually making her way to Canada with her family as refugees. She attended Mount Royal University and graduated with a degree in cellular and molecular biology in 2017 before earning her doctor of medicine from UCalgary. Maryam is currently a resident physician in internal medicine. She established Calgary’s STEM Cell Chapter, in collaboration with Canadian Blood Services to recruit donors in the Stem Cell Registry. In 2020, Maryam received the Top 25 Immigrant Youth Award.

Racha El-Dib

BA ’18

Friday, June 13, 2025
10 a.m.

Graduating in 2018 with a sociology major, Racha El-Dib is dedicated to raising awareness about domestic abuse. After losing her sister Nadia to domestic homicide, she founded Nadia's Hope Foundation. The foundation offers support, education, and advocacy to those affected by domestic abuse. Racha also established a bursary in her sister’s name through the SAIT Legal Assisting Program, supporting students pursuing legal careers. She is a 2024 Outstanding Alumni Award recipient and currently works as a Human Resources Coordinator, using her skills to foster supportive, inclusive workplaces. Through her work and advocacy, Racha remains committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Cody Foggin

BA ’17

Friday, June 13, 2025
2 p.m.

Cody Foggin graduated from Mount Royal University in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts – Criminal Justice and the University of Alberta in 2020 with a Juris Doctor. He is currently a lawyer at Miller Thomson LLP, a national business law firm in Calgary, where he practices corporate and securities law, with a focus on mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance and emerging technologies. Cody is indigenous and a proud member of Frog Lake First Nation. He lives in Calgary with his wife and two beautiful daughters.