(Lloydminster, Alta., Oct. 23, 2009) --Achieving top marks at the college level is a noteworthy accomplishment but to score in the top ten on a national professional certification exam, that’s in a league of its own.

On the June adjudication of the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) exam, Derek Dedman, a 2009 Lakeland business graduate, scored among the exam’s top 10 finishers across Canada. The result is a remarkable achievement. Only 409 of the 1,029 people who wrote the exam passed. For Lakeland, Dedman is also its first graduate to place in the exam’s top 10 rankings and to make the CFP’s President’s List.

Originally from Regina, Sask., Dedman attended Lakeland at the Lloydminster campus. He was a member of the Rustlers men’s volleyball team and had a young family with a new baby back home. His academic achievements included a spot on the Dean’s List in 2008 with a perfect 4.0 grade point average, and an academic award from the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference in 2007.

Leanne Sauer, a business instructor and practicum coordinator for financial services students, says she’s not surprised Dedman achieved such a high standing on the national professional certification exam.

“As a student, Derek’s abilities and strengths were evident to everyone who had the opportunity to work with him,” says Sauer. “He worked very hard, was a good role model and was very personable and respectful to instructors and fellow students.”

Others in the financial services industry, too, noticed his potential and abilities. Last spring while on practicum, he was recruited for a financial planner position with the Royal Bank where he remains today.

While Dedman keeps a level head with his recent accomplishments, he says that his time at Lakeland College helped prepare him in many ways for his future.

“I know that I owe Lakeland College a lot,” says Dedman. “Without the support of the college’s instructors and staff, I would not have been as successful on the exam. Lakeland College did an exceptional job to help me to prepare for the exam and for my career. Coming to Lakeland was the one of the best decisions I have ever made.”

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For more information, contact:
Leanne Sauer, Instructor/Practicum Coordinator for Business
Lakeland College
Lloydminster Campus
(870) 871 5427