Seize the moment

“This award means a lot to me. I worked hard and participated in many extracurricular activities at Lakeland College. There have been lots of opportunities and I tried to seize as many as I could,” Stewart says.

Stewart received the accolade during the Lloydminster campus convocation ceremony on Friday, May 26. The President’s Medal is the most prestigious award given out by Lakeland College. It recognizes a graduating student - nominated by faculty, support staff, and students - who excelled in both academic excellence and leadership in student activities. Medalists are chosen from both the Lloydminster and Vermilion campuses.

At Lakeland, Stewart was a student ambassador, member of the business case team and business club, and participated in Synergy Speakers’ Corner, all of which provided him the opportunity to grow outside the classroom.

“Being a member of the case team is something I am grateful for - going down to Lethbridge and competing at the 12th annual Alberta Deans of Business Case Competition. It took a lot of practice and extra time, so I feel I made the most out of that and my entire college career.”

An influential element of his college career was the guidance from business instructor Ben Acquaye, Stewart added.

“Ben was a huge part of my education here. Public speaking was one thing I wanted to strengthen and he helped me with that. I also had him as a mentor in the case and business clubs. It is always fun around Ben, he is a great person.”

Acquaye says throughout Stewart’s time at Lakeland, he showed the attributes necessary to receive the President’s Medal, including strong community involvement and support for other students. He also excelled academically.

“He is very willing to learn, which a good attribute for anybody. He will do very well going forward,” Acquaye says. “Kendall’s ability to work with other people is a skill he sharpened during his time here, so it doesn’t surprise me that he considers the case team to be one of his major highlights.”

Currently, Stewart is using the skill set he acquired at Lakeland in the workforce, with plans to start his own business. His advice to future students and graduates is to “do all you can do.”

“You are here for a short amount of time, so do your best, study when you need to, and don’t procrastinate. Other than that, get involved in whatever you can.”

Photo: Kendall Stewart, graduate of the business administration diploma program, receives the President’s Medal for the Lloydminster campus from Alice Wainwright-Stewart, president and CEO, Lakeland College, during the convocation ceremony on Friday, May 26.