2026 GRADUATION
Providence University College and Theological Seminary
Saturday, April 18, 2026
2026 GRADUATION
Providence University College and Theological Seminary
Saturday, April 18, 2026
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We respectfully recognize that Providence is located on original lands of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and on the homeland of the Métis Nation.
ABOUT PROVIDENCE (1925-2026)
Founded in 1925, Providence University College & Theological Seminary is an ecumenically faith-based academic institution that has served the province of Manitoba at its main Otterburne campus since 1970, and from its downtown Winnipeg extension since 2023. From its humble beginnings as Winnipeg Bible Training School, over the past century Providence has significantly expanded its operations, curricula and reach – offering a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Guided by its primary aim to inspire growth in knowledge and character for leadership and service, Providence centres Christian principles, encourages diversity of thought, supports one another in community, facilitates exploration, and pursues academic excellence.
To this end, with a three-fold focus on teaching, research and service, our faculty come from a diversity of backgrounds, bringing with them distinct perspectives and innovative ideas to the programs that they develop and direct.
Providence is privileged to provide both domestic and international students with a fully accredited educational experience that opens doors for a range of careers and post-graduate study opportunities, and we congratulate all graduates for their hard work, determination, and accomplishments.
TO OUR GRADUATES,
On behalf of the Board of Governors, the President Dr. Kenton Anderson, and the Faculty and Staff at Providence University College and Theological Seminary, I would like to congratulate you on your graduation day!
While I no longer consider myself of “student” age, I still consider myself a student. While I have a doctoral degree, I know that I still have a lot to learn. I’ve presented academic papers at conferences to welcoming audiences of scholars, but I know that I still need to take the time to listen to others. I’ve written book-length manuscripts, but I know that I still need to read others’ insights. While I want to congratulate you on achieving the major milestone of graduation and receiving a Providence degree, diploma or certificate, I also know that this is just the beginning of a lifetime of learning.
In my classes, I often end the final lecture by telling the students that they are more powerful than they were at the start of the course. The source of this newly found power is the knowledge that they’ve gained throughout the course, not only from the professor but also from each other. Knowledge is power! But, of course, my classes are not the end of learning!
I pray that your Providence education – that you’ve worked so hard to achieve – will guide you as you lead and serve with knowledge and character. I trust that you have received the skills and knowledge – as well as patience and Christian character – to help you navigate what can be a difficult and trying world. And I pray that Providence has
prepared the “soil” of your life for future learning so that you can continue to lead and serve in ways that you can’t imagine!
One last piece of advice: you might not know exactly what tomorrow holds for you. In fact, none of us know what might come tomorrow. Today is the day that the Lord has brought us to, with the help of all of those who have
“In my classes, I often end the final lecture by telling the students that they are more powerful than they were at the start of the course. The source of this newly found power is the knowledge that they’ve gained throughout the course, not only from the professor but also from each other.”
supported your journey financially, emotionally and spiritually. Tomorrow will come, full of endless possibilities. May the Lord carry you today and tomorrow as you do God’s will, whether you know it or not!
Congratulations on this special day! And please, keep in touch with us! We’ll certainly be in touch with you!
Nicholas P. Greco, PhD Provost; Professor of Communications and Media
ORDER OF PROCEEDINGS
Providence University College and Theological Seminary
Saturday, April 18, 2026
PROCESSIONAL*
INVOCATION*
Catherine Rust-Akinbolaji, MA
WELCOME & OPENING REMARKS
Kenton Anderson, PhD
SCRIPTURE READING
Nicholas Greco, PhD
GRADUATION ADDRESS
Andrew Micklefield, MA
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE AWARDS
Christopher Lortie, PhD
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE VALEDICTORY ADDRESS
Kade Lepp
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CONFERRAL OF DEGREES
Christopher Lortie, PhD
THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY AWARDS
Jeff Anderson, DMin
THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY VALEDICTORY ADDRESS
Han Kim
THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY CONFERRAL OF DEGREES
Jeff Anderson, DMin
GREETING FROM THE BOARD
Joan Franz, JD
SCHOOL HYMN*
BENEDICTION*
Elmer Chen, PhD
RECESSIONAL*
*If you are able, please stand.
SCHOOL HYMN: GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God, my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be
Chorus:
Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me
Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside
CONGRATULATIONS
CERTIFICATE OF BIBLE AND THEOLOGY
Lisa Unruh
CERTIFICATE OF TESOL
Paige Seib
MEDIA PRODUCTION ARTS CERTIFICATE (CODE)
Ava Temple
SURGE EMERGING LEADERS CERTIFICATE (CODE)
Darel Lepp
Dylan Schroeder
ASSOCIATE OF ARTS
Cole Doell Business
Yishak Foka* Business
Joban Singh Sanghera Business
Jayant Singh Business
BACHELOR OF ARTS
Kara Bartel Interdisciplinary Arts
Amieka Bates Church Ministries
Moses Bik TESOL
Noah Boschman Psychology
Briana Buchan Interdisciplinary Studies
Laurianne Chiasson Business Administration
Benjamin Danylchuk ................................................................................... Church Ministries
Marcus Zeilstra Business *In Absentia
CLASS OF 2026
BACHELOR OF ARTS (CONTINUED)
Joel Dsouza .............................................................................................................. General Studies
Katharina Enns* Interdisciplinary Studies
Aaron Friesen Psychology
Dalila Friesen Psychology
Ben Harder* General Studies
Kade Lepp Business Administration & Social Science
Tomas Loewen Humanities
Celina Loewen ....................................................................................................Psychology (Adv.)
Raphael Maestre ............................................................................................................. Psychology
Kaia Malaviya* Psychology
Samantha Moffit Humanities
Jake Mullin* Psychology
Jordan Nerbas* Communications and Media
Tabea Nikel Psychology
Melody Odekunle Humanities
Megan Reimer................................................................................... Interdisciplinary Studies
Carey Richardson*.......................................................................... Business Administration
Ilijah Roque Sociology
Brontë Rygiel Humanities
Elisa Sacco Psychology (Adv.)
Noah Smith Psychology
Jadyn Thiessen Psychology
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
Isaac Aman General Biology
Johannes Barnes* Health Science
Emily Eskiw General Biology
Thomas Pain ..............................................................................................................Health Science
Hayden Wiebe ....................................................................................................... General Biology
*In Absentia
CONGRATULATIONS
BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Amanda Bergen
Blake Harder
Oreoluwa Olubadejo
Tyra Peters
Ethan Tomlinson
David Wiebe
BACHELOR OF THEOLOGY
Nicholas Froese............................................................................................Christian Education
Madison Oselies ............................................................................................... Youth Leadership
MASTER OF ARTS
Daniel Emond Transforming Leadership
Katherine Emond Transforming Leadership
Allison Kagaaga Emitu Educational Leadership
Jenn Lundy Educational Leadership
Kristen Parker* Media Production
Niklaas Schalm* Educational Leadership
MASTER OF
EDUCATION
Priscilla Brandt .............................................................................................................................
CLASS OF 2026
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE AWARDS
1st Year Class Award
Hailey Sawatzky
2nd Year Class Award
Cadence Hawkins
3rd Year Class Award
Julie Klassen
ABHE Honour Society
Emily Eskiw
Megan Reimer
Biblical Studies Award
Madison Oselies
Buller School of Business Award
Piper Friesen
C.W. Hiebert Memorial Award for Graduate Studies
Benjamin Danylchuk
George Sinderson Award for Field Education
Briana Buchan
Graduate Studies Award
Aaron Friesen
Humanities Award
Brontë Rygiel
Mary Hiebert Memorial Award for Humanitarian Service
Rhea Peters
Professional Studies Award
Alexander Cedeño
R. Wesley Affleck Graduate Award
Brontë Rygiel
Science Student Award
Emily Eskiw
Sheil’s Memorial Award for Missions
Brianne Bursey
Social Science Award
Tabea Nikel
Stewart and Elizabeth Battram
Scholarship Award
Emily Eskiw
Tabea Nikel
Student Life Leadership Award
Sydney Last
Tomas Loewen
Valedictorian Award
Kade Lepp
CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2026
DIPLOMA IN POST-GRADUATE MINISTERIAL STUDIES
Nigel Gilmour
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN APPLIED COUNSELLING
Stacey Gamponia
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL STUDIES
Adetomiwa Adedokun
Millicent Dadok
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN LEADERSHIP
Princess Amba
MASTER OF ARTS
Adewale Adetoyinbo ............................................................................. Intercultural Studies
Sheona Balzer Counselling
Shelby Beardy Counselling
Carolina Best* Counselling
Chelsea Brassington-Vaughan* Counselling
Susan Carney* Counselling
Elaine Chiu* Counselling
Caleb Dueck Counselling
Hannah Fiechter* .......................................................................................................... Counselling
Robyne Frederiksen .................................................................................................... Counselling
Linda Jamieson Counselling
Han Kim Counselling
Chad Loewen Counselling
*In Absentia
CONGRATULATIONS
MASTER OF ARTS (CONT.)
Scott Marble Christian Studies
Charlene McAlpin Christian Studies
Katie Miller* Counselling
Amy Ohler* ......................................................................................................................... Counselling
Maria Peters* ..................................................................................................................... Counselling
Cyndi Rae Counselling
Darby Ryde* Counselling
MASTER OF DIVINITY
Robin Dalloo Core
Jason Dueck Biblical Languages
Cynthia Warkentin Pastoral Counselling
*In Absentia
THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY AWARDS
Biblical & Theological Studies Research Award
Michelle Ellis
BTS Department Award
Scott Marble
Charles & Irene Memorial Award
Greg Klassen
Church Ministry Department Award
Cyndy Warkentin
Counselling Award
Kym Lukin
Counselling Department Award
Chelsea Brassington-Vaughan
Jesse F. Lynn Memorial Award
Amy Ohler
Joseph MacAulay Scholarship Award — MA
Chelsea Brassington-Vaughan
CLASS OF 2026
Joseph MacAulay Scholarship Award — MDiv
Jason Dueck
Myrna Gordon Award
Ben Girgis
Oral Communication Award
Madi Franks
Student Life Award
Naomi Hochstedler
Alayna Schrader
Valedictorian Award
Han Kim
KADE LEPP
University College Valedictorian
Kade Lepp came to Providence in the fall of 2021 to study Business Administration and Social Science. During his time at Providence, he became involved in many parts of campus life and built meaningful relationships with fellow students, faculty, and staff. Kade has been a member of the Providence Pilots men’s volleyball team, where he competed as a libero and had the opportunity to represent the school alongside teammates who made his experience both competitive and memorable. Being part of the Pilots program has been one of the highlights of his time at Providence. In his first year at Providence, Kade also met his wife Serena, and the two were married last summer. Their relationship has been an important part of his journey during his years at the university. In his final year, Kade served as Co-Student Body President, working alongside students, staff, and faculty to help strengthen the sense of community that makes Providence unique.
Kade is grateful for the friendships, mentorship, and experiences that have shaped his time at Providence. As he looks ahead, he carries with him the lessons and relationships that made his years at Providence so meaningful.
“Providence has been a place filled with opportunities to get involved, grow as a leader, and build friendships that will last far beyond graduation. Through athletics, student leadership, and the everyday moments of campus life, I’ve had the chance to be part of an incredible community and meet some truly amazing people. Being a Pilot has been one of the most meaningful parts of my experience here. To play alongside so many great players and people while representing the school has been a true honour. This year I also had the privilege of serving as Co-Student Body President. In that role, I worked alongside remarkable students, staff, and faculty who care deeply about this community. It is because of people like them that Providence continues to be such a special place. As I look ahead to future goals and dreams, it will be the friendships, mentors, and sense of community that I carry with me the most. Providence has been a place that pushed me to grow, supported me along the way, and continually pointed me back to a life grounded in faith.”
CLASS OF 2025
HAN KIM Seminary Valedictorian
Han Kim immigrated with his family from Seoul to Calgary at the age of five and has since called it home. There he met his wife, Katy, and together they have been married for 31 years and have two boys. After attending the University of Calgary, he spent 25+ years in corporate leadership before retiring early and prayerfully discerning new seasons of service. Supported by his church community, his faith was shaped through life’s many trials and God’s sustaining grace, experiences that ultimately led him to pursue the MA in Counselling at Providence. At Providence, the care and mentorship of his professors and classmates prepared him for his work at the Calgary Family Therapy Centre, where he provides family therapy as an intern. Sitting with parents and children in life’s difficult moments continues to remind him of the calling that first drew him to counselling. Han plans to continue serving others through counselling and as a TA at Providence next semester. Outside of counselling, he loves to travel and is an avid sports fan (Packers! Flames!), remaining active in soccer, tennis, and boxing.
“When I started at Providence, I knew God was leading me into something new, but I didn’t really know what. These years have changed me in ways I did not expect. I am deeply grateful for how God not only led me here, but also how He faithfully met me here through the people at Providence. I leave richly blessed, more grounded in my faith, and ready to serve wherever He leads.”
ANDREW MICKLEFIELD
Graduation Speaker, Alumni of the Year
Andrew Micklefield is a third-generation pastor, educator, and speaker who has served in the church, education, and politics. Andrew holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Winnipeg and a Master’s degree in Christian Studies from Providence University College. He is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth Platinum Jubilee Medal and a Fellow of the Bohay Institute for Political Leadership. Andrew was elected twice to the Manitoba Legislature, where he advocated for conscience rights, called successfully for the rescue of 1,200 Yazidi sex slaves, expanded Manitoba’s definition of bereavement to include pregnancy loss, oversaw a review of Manitoba’s child welfare legislation, rewrote Manitoba’s missing persons legislation, and served as House Leader, Whip, and Deputy Speaker. Andrew is currently the Executive Director of the Manitoba Federation of Independent Schools and also consults and speaks on theology, organizational governance, and leadership. Andrew has been married to Ruth for nearly 27 years, and together they have three children.