Baccalaureate | To be announced.

Commencement | Michael Van Pelt

Michael Van Pelt has been chosen as the Commencement speaker for Grad 2025. Mr. Van Pelt is the Chief Executive Officer for Cardus, an organization he co-founded in 2000, which has become a leading non-partisan public policy think tank and one of the most high-profile and respected faith-based operations in Canada. Cardus is “dedicated to clarifying and strengthening, through research and dialogue, the ways in which society’s institutions can work together for the common good.”

Mr. Van Pelt is a graduate of McMaster University and the London School of Economics and is well-versed and sought-after to write and advise on topics such as religion, public life, economics, and government policy. He serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of Fair Havens Ministries, a Christian camp and retreat centre. He also sits on the Board of Directors of Kinvest Impact Foundation and Bezulu International, two organisations that work to bring lasting sustainable change through investing in rural Africa and working alongside local communities. He has previously served with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, the Chamber of Commerce Network, and as a municipal councillor. 

Mr. Van Pelt remains active in his family construction and development company, and lives in Ancaster, Ontario with his wife Deani, PhD. Deani is also very involved in the work of Cardus as a Senior Fellow, has enjoyed an extensive teaching career, is the President of Edvance Christian Schools Association, a Senior Fellow at the Fraser Institute, is Chair of the Standards of Practice and Education Committee at the Ontario College of Teachers, and is a Visiting Research Fellow at Charlotte Mason Studies at the University of Cumbria.” 

Mr. Van Pelt is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal recognizing his contributions and 30-years of service to Canadian public life. We look forward to welcoming Michael Van Pelt to our campus! 

Nursing Pinning Guest Speaker | – TBA

Tuesday, April 15th 

6:30-7:30PM | Alumni Ice Cream Sundae Event 2025 Welcome Alumni

Friday, April 25th

7:00PM | Spring Choir Performance @ Kirk Chapel

Monday, April 28th 

10AM | Student Awards Assembly @ Kirk Chapel

Thursday, May 1st

7PM | EP Release Showcase @ Kirk Chapel

Friday, May 2nd

1:30PM | Commencement Rehearsal @ RDAC All graduates must attend 

3:30PM | Grads pick up Regalia @ MX1 (Maxwell Center Boardroom)

6: 00PM  | Grad Banquet and Baccalaureate Service.  Purchase tickets HERE

Saturday, May 3rd

10:00AM | Nurses’ Pinning Ceremony @ Kirk Chapel

2:00pm | Commencement Ceremony 2024 @ RDAC

View schedule as PDF

* All times are in Mountain Daylight Time. 

We are excited to celebrate with our graduates and their families at the Grad Banquet and Baccalaureate Ceremony which will take place Friday, May 2.

• The Grad Banquet is open to all graduates and their families and friends, and includes a special celebration of the 4th year class during the Baccalaureate Ceremony.
• During this ceremony, senior grads will share about their time at Prairie, and we will hear from a speaker chosen by the bachelor graduates.  
• Doors for the Banquet will open at 5:30pm, with dinner starting at 6:00pm. 

Ticket Purchases

Please check the schedule above for our Graduation weekend.  **Note that all graduates must attend Commencement Rehearsal on Friday afternoon 1:30 – 3:30 pm**

Hotel Recommendations

Super 8 by Wyndham
403-443-8888
201 18 Ave N, Three Hills

Best Western Diamond Inn
403-443-7889
351 7 Ave NE, Three Hills

Lamplighter Inn
403-443-5919
1204 2 St N, Three Hills

Rest Easy Motel
403-443-2188
981 2 St N, Three Hills

Restaurant Recommendations

Prairie College Sanford Hanson Dining Hall

Breakfast – 7:30-9:00 am Lunch 11:30 am-1:00 pm 
Supper (Thursday only) 5:00-6:00pm 
(All you can eat buffet includes salad bar, main entrée, grill choices, pizza, dessert and drinks.  Ages 5 and under eat free.)

Bell 720 
403-443-5224
750 2 St N, Three Hills

Harvest House
403-443-7336
126 4 Ave N, Three Hills

E&W Restaurant
403-443-2388
1011 2 St N, Three Hills

Grad Invitation

Please share the Commencement link with your family and friends once it is published! 

Dress Code for Commencement

Ladies – dress pants or skirt, nylons and dress shoes.
Men – dark pants, dress shoes, long sleeved dress shirt, tie.
Nurses – may wear lighter colored clothing under the white gowns, nylons, and dress shoes (preferably white).
All Grads – Please carry a Bible. 

Grad Gowns

Pick up your cap & gown on Friday, May 2th in the Maxwell Centre – MX 101 Boardroom after grad rehearsal. Return your gown and hood by 5:00pm after Commencement to the MX 101 Boardroom. Please bring the hangers back, but the plastic wrappings do not need to be returned. If the gown and hood are not returned, you will be charged. The cap and tassel are yours to keep.

Caps & Tassels

To keep from blocking your neighbour’s face, please wear the cap so that the mortarboard is level. Please try your cap on ahead of time. If it comes too far down on your forehead, make a tuck in the cap with a straight pin so it will fit properly.

Removing Caps: Men are asked to remove caps for prayer, performing and speaking (leave it at your seat). Ladies may leave caps on.

Undergrad tassels will be on the right side before Graduation and moved to the left later in the ceremony when the President indicates.

Would you consider the chance to support the faculty and staff who have supported you on your academic journey?  Please donate to the Prairie Faculty Professional Development Fund.  This is how to give a gift. 

1. You can submit a Credit Card Gift. Go to the Donate, select the fund “Professional Development (Grad ’25) and complete your details. 
2. For check or cash gifts, mail in to Prairie College (address is in the footer)
3. There is an opportunity to give in person during the Commencement Ceremony or you can drop off to the Reception Desk in the Maxwell Centre.

Thank you so much for helping Prairie faculty and staff this year.