June 4, 2026

FORT SMITH, NT – Aurora College celebrated the achievements of 139 potential graduates at convocation ceremonies in each of College’s three campus communities over the past few weeks.

Aurora College’s graduating classes were joined by family members, friends and special guests at convocation ceremonies held in Fort Smith, Inuvik and Yellowknife. The Class of 2026 included graduates representing 19 Northwest Territories communities from every region of the NWT, as well as six Canadian provinces and five other countries.

Thebacha Campus held the first ceremony at the Salt River First Nation Business & Conference Centre on April 24. The campus recognized 21 potential graduates from: Environment and Natural Resources Technology Diploma (8), Business Administration (3), Office Administration (3), Early Learning and Child Care (3), and Personal Support Worker (4) programs.

In Inuvik, Aurora Campus held its convocation ceremony on May 15, recognizing 12 potential graduates from: Business Administration (9), Office Administration Diploma (1), Early Learning and Child Care Certificate (1), and Personal Support Worker Certificate (1) programs.

On May 29, Yellowknife North Slave Campus held two ceremonies at the Chateau Nova Hotel, recognizing 106 potential graduates representing: Business Administration (16), Office Administration (13), Early Learning and Child Care (33), Community Health Representative (1), Personal Support Worker Certificate (18), and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (25).

As Aurora College graduates can choose the campus convocation in which they participate, the numbers attending each ceremony do not necessarily reflect the total number of graduates at each campus.

Valedictorians and Awards 2026:

Thebacha Campus, Fort Smith:

  • Valedictorian
    • Ian Aylward, Environment and Natural Resources Technology
  • Board of Governors’ Student Leadership Award
    • Samuel Ejii, Business Administration Diploma
  • Duncan MacPherson Citizenship Award from the Town of Fort Smith
    • Austin Blanchard, General Studies, Year 1

Aurora Campus, Inuvik:

  • Valedictorian
    • Ifeoluwa Awe, Business Administration Diploma
  • Board of Govenors’ Student Leadership Award
    • Carlene Koe, Business Administration Certificate
  • Town of Inuvik Office Administration Scholarship Award
    • Bruce Ruben, Office Administration Diploma
  • Aurora Cup
    • Elizabeth Illasiak, Business Administration Diploma

Yellowknife North Slave Campus:

  • Valedictorians
    • Brandon Bartlett, Business Administration Diploma
    • Mirian Sopuruchi Iwuji, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Board of Governors’ Student Leadership Award
    • Elizabeth Nataway, Business Administration Certificate
  • AVENS Sheila Broders’ Award
    • Irene Maglapit, Personal Support Worker Certificate
  • College of Nurses of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut Academic and Clinical Excellence Award
    • Glorina Lubansa, Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree

Quotes:

“Aurora College honours our graduates as they complete an important milestone in their personal and academic journeys. Graduation represents far more than the completion of a program. It reflects the hard work, sacrifice, learning and friendships that have shaped each graduate’s path. Our students contribute to the strength of Aurora College and the important role it plays in the North. As they continue into their careers and communities, we take great pride in their accomplishments and in the knowledge, skills and passion they will bring to workplaces, organizations and communities across the Northwest Territories. Congratulations to the Class of 2026.”

– Dr. Nora Houlahan, Interim President, Aurora College

“The Aurora College Board of Governors is proud to congratulate the Class of 2026. Convocation is a celebration of achievement, perseverance, and resilience, and a recognition of the family members, friends, instructors, and classmates who helped make this milestone possible. We look forward to the contributions our graduates will make to their communities and to the North, and to the positive impact they will have through their careers, leadership, and service.”

– Kenny Ruptash, Chair, Aurora College Board of Governors