Erik Mikkelsen prepares to adjust his camera settings. The Lethbridge College graduate has found work with Global Lethbridge shortly after receiving his diploma.
Lethbridge College is taking nominations for their Honouring Excellence event.
With it being the 60th anniversary of the school, they have plenty of options for the four available alumni awards.
The relatively small school has had students pass through its halls for six decades and now they span the globe across many different careers making the choice tough.
Lethbridge College Alumni Relations Coordinator, Kari Holmes, thinks that the choice is tough because graduates leave the school knowing how to succeed in the work force.
“They take that hands on learning experience that they get from the college and apply it to their careers going forward.” Holmes said.
According to the college, over 30,000 people have graduated from the school so choosing just four is a tough process.
Three of the four awards were implemented in 2007 while Distinguished Alumni was established in 1992.
85 graduates have been honoured so far.
There isn’t anything yet planned for the Honouring Excellence event during the 60th anniversary celebration but Holmes says that there are some surprises to come.
Before the event though, the nominations go through a committee that reviews all individuals who were submitted for the Distinguished Alumni award.
The aptly named Honouring Excellence committee has the tough job of narrowing it down to four winners.
Committee chair, Jaylene Ulmer, is in her first year as the head of the alumni organization.
She says it’s an honour for the group to be able to review a large number of grads who are put forth.
“It’s always amazing to see the quality and the diversity of the exceptional alumni being nominated,” Ulmer said.
The committee also provides help to the alumni association with oversight of the event as well as encouraging attendance.
Grads from the past 60 years are encouraged to attend but many are located throughout the world.
Recent graduate Erik Mikkelsen has found success here in Lethbridge at the local Global station as a community relations coordinator and videographer.
He says the people at the college are what helped him find the drive to do what he loves and a big reason why so many people find success coming out of the school.
“There is so many people there that are willing to help you and guide you on the right path, they really just have your best interest,” says Mikkelsen.
He also thinks the positive collaboration between students and teachers is a reason why the college has been around for 60 years.
The anniversary celebration is due next year as is the Honouring Excellence event which happens on April 27 though nominations have a deadline of Jan. 9.
