2026 Graduation Program by Ambrose University

GRADUATION 2026

Ambrose University is a Christ-centred educational community that forms students intellectually and spiritually, prepares them for vocational success, and empowers them for redemptive engagement with the Church for the world.

Ambrose University Mission Statement

We, the learning community of Ambrose University, respectfully acknowledge that we are located on Treaty 7 territory — the travelling route, gathering place and meeting grounds for Indigenous Peoples, including the Siksikaitsitapi, comprised of the Siksika, Kainai, Piikani, Amskapi Piikani First Nations; the Tsuut’ina First Nation; and the Îyârhe Nakoda, including the Chiniki, Bearspaw and Goodstoney First Nations, Métis Otipemisiwak and Esikisimu Nunangat, whose histories, languages, cultures and traditions continue to influence our vibrant community.

Guest Speaker

Rev. Dr. R. Riley Coulter, Chancellor Emeritus

R. Riley Coulter is an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene. He served as Lead Pastor in Chilliwack, Regina and Victoria for 15 years and President and Chancellor of Canadian Nazarene College, Nazarene University College and Ambrose University for 26 years.

Riley currently serves as Director of Stewardship for the Church of the Nazarene Canada and [Interim] Pastor of Skyview Community Church in Calgary. He served on the Board of Directors of Siloam Mission in Winnipeg for 16 years; he presently serves on the Interfaith Chaplaincy Committee of Corrections Canada.

Dr. Coulter earned a Bachelor of Sacred Literature degree from Canadian Nazarene College [1970], Master of Divinity and Master of Religious Education degrees from Nazarene Theological Seminary [1975] and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary [1987].

Riley and Karen [who passed away in 2023 after 53 years of marriage] have three children and four grand-children. Riley’s favourite pastime is salmon fishing on the west coast of Vancouver Island.

Valedictorians

Diana Hruba Undergraduate Class of 2026

Diana is originally from Kyiv, Ukraine, where she lived before moving to Canada in 2022. She is graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a Marketing stream, and noted that one of the most meaningful parts of her experience at Ambrose was developing leadership skills and learning the value of reaching out and building connections with others. Diana currently attends Westside Kings Church with friends, which has been very formative for her faith journey. After graduation, she will be starting full-time work, even though she would have loved to take a season to travel and explore. Outside of academics and work, Diana enjoys hiking and being outdoors, and is currently training for a half marathon.

Sydney Streu Education Class of 2026

Sydney is graduating with a Bachelor of Education (After-Degree). She is originally from Edmonton, Alberta, and despite her move, is still a very proud Oilers fan! Sydney is the current Education Students’ Association Vice President. Alongside her roles at Ambrose, she has been a high school Mathematics and Science tutor for the past 10 years, inspiring her to pursue a career in Education. Sydney regularly attends Experience Church, where she serves on the Sunday team and leads a young adults group. Some of her other favourite pastimes include playing pickleball, golfing or trying new coffee shops in the city. Her two practicum placements were the highlight of her time at Ambrose. She found immense joy in building relationships with her students and subjecting them to her cheesy ‘joke of the day’, which usually elicited eye rolls and fake laughter. After graduation, Sydney plans to jump straight into teaching before heading off on some post-grad travels this summer!

Michelle Ko Seminary Class of 2026

Michelle is graduating from the Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree. As the president of the Seminary Student Leadership Team, she has enjoyed helping to build the community with students from all over the world. Michelle considers Ambrose the place where she found deep joy learning from incredible professors and fellow classmates, and it is a place where she has grown in spiritual maturity and has been deeply encouraged in her calling. Outside of school, Michelle often finds herself exploring new coffee shops while having life-giving conversations with her friends. Michelle and her husband are excited to start their journey as a family into pastoral ministry wherever God leads them.

2026 AMBROSE UNIVERSITY GRADUATION

Monday, May 11, 2026, 2:00 p.m.

Presiding: Rev. Dr. Bryce Ashlin-Mayo, President

Prelude

Processional*

“Largo” (from Xerxes) George Frideric Handel Organ: Brent Tucker

Welcome

Rev. Dr. Bryce Ashlin-Mayo President

Oh Canada*

O Canada! Our home and native land!

True patriot love in all of us command. With glowing hearts we see thee rise, The True North strong and free!

From far and wide,

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. God keep our land glorious and free!

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

*Please stand

Invocation*

Dr. Ken Draper

Professor of History and Director of Institutional Planning and Assessment

Congregational Hymn*

Dr. Mark Bartel

Associate Professor of Music

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty

1 Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation! O my soul, praise him, for he is your health and salvation! Come, all who hear; now to his temple draw near, join me in glad adoration.

2 Praise to the Lord, above all things so wondrously reigning; sheltering you under his wings, and so gently sustaining! Have you not seen all that is needful has been sent by his gracious ordaining?

3 Praise to the Lord, who will prosper your work and defend you; surely his goodness and mercy shall daily attend you. Ponder anew what the Almighty can do, if with his love he befriends you.

4 Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore him! All that has life and breath, come now with praises before him. Let the Amen sound from his people again; gladly forever adore him.

Text: Joachim Neander; trans. Catherine Winkworth, alt. Worship and Rejoice, 2003

Music: Lobe den Herren, 18th Century Germany

*Please stand

Presentation of Student Awards

Dr. Pam Nordstrom

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

Introduction of Speaker

Rev. Dr. Rob Snow

Dean of Theology and Associate Professor of New Testament

Scripture Reading

Dr. Charles Cook

Professor of Global Studies and Mission

Executive Director, Jaffray Centre for Global Initiatives

Matthew 22:34-40 (NIV)

34Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

37Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’

38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Graduation Address

Loving God and Loving Others

Rev. Dr. R. Riley Coulter

Chancellor Emeritus, Ambrose University

Presentation of Candidates for Degrees

Dr. Kyle Jantzen

Dean of Arts & Science and Professor of History

Dr. Murray MacTavish

Dean of the School of Business and Associate Professor of Leadership and International Development

Dr. Christy Thomas

Dean of the School of Education and Associate Professor of Education

Rev. Dr. Rob Snow

Dean of Theology and Associate Professor of New Testament

Conferring of Degrees

Rev. Dr. Bryce Ashlin-Mayo President

Valedictory Addresses

Diana Hruba

Undergraduate Class of 2026

Sydney Streu Education Class of 2026

Michelle Ko Seminary Class of 2026

President’s Remarks and Benediction*

Rev. Dr. Bryce Ashlin-Mayo President

Recessional*

“Postlude in F” Eric H. Thiman

Organ: Brent Tucker

Brent Tucker is the Music Director at Summit View United Church

*Please stand

UNDERGRADUATE CLASS OF 2026

Bachelor of Arts

Behavioural Science (concentration)

Emmanuel Lamvu

Connor Dean Robert Weaver

Bachelor of Arts

Behavioural Science (major)

Ian Samuel Benham

Jillian Nicole Bieraugle

Jordan Paige Brown

Lindsay Nicole Carpenter

Tsz Lok Ching

Jasmyne Joy Comia

Emanuel G.F Cusanelli

Sebit Boor Doyak

Kendra Joy Hammond

Brandi Hanna

Chloe Kilgore

Tiana Faith Krahn

Ashlyn Beatrice Avril Meeberg

Nauras Ahmed Qureshi

Asavari Sandhu

Emma Jane Sommerville

Brianna Nancy Thera

Maria Jean Withey

Bachelor of Arts

Psychology (major)

Moyosoreoluwa Olubunmi Akeju-Collins

Sydney Lauren Ashlin-Mayo

Paige Cecilia Barry

Trinity Madison Bouman

Ariana Marie Davis

Ayva Marie Kauffman

Iris Keitel

Dakota Sky Magotiaux-Paul

Dibora Mehari

Tonny Ndirangu Mwangi

Sara Maude Pelletier

Kalli Pilon

John Revilla

Olga Vladimirovna Salmina

Ethne Patricia Zieb-Herrmann

Bachelor of Arts

Christian Studies (concentration)

Joel Edward De Bruyn

Alen Vargheese Francis

Paul Hei Long Wong

Bachelor of Arts

Christian Studies (major)

Lincoln Ronald Alexander

Yee Nok Cheng

Claire Elizabeth Lee Misura

Matthew Evan Hope Smith

Bachelor of Arts

English (concentration)

Kaili Jade Blackwell

Bachelor of Arts

English (major)

Micael Arletta Kay Bittle

Bachelor of Arts

General Studies (concentration)

Rylee Dawn Flamont

Emilie Pregal

Bachelor of Arts

History (concentration)

Ethan Nickerson

Bachelor of Arts Music (major)

Vivid Lui

Paige Silbernagel

Bachelor of Music

Professional Music (major)

Olivia Bella Vilona

Joel Stephen John Warren

Bethany Wickens

Bachelor of Science Biology (major)

Rafael James Baillie

Rachel Kelly Barg

Romar Ivan Crisostomo

Lucas Pasquale Cusanelli

Michelle Sophia Fawcett

Harsheen Kaur

Mikyla Alyse MacPherson

Blessiney Umaharan

Elise Danielle Wagner

Bachelor of Arts

Business Administration (concentration)

Abayomi Monsuru Afolabi

Cameron Copland

Courage Abla Debrah

Ahmed Dihaj

Guilherme Lacerda Ferreira

Mabior Mel Kuol

Chali Beriso Turi

Bachelor of Business Administration (major)

Brooklyn Kaur Deol

Garang Monuk Dor

Jackson Grant Earle

Emmanuel Obaloluwa Fagite

Nicole Alisa Fraser

Sydney Harner

Liam David Hawkins

Joshua James Hill

Basil Hollaway

Diana Hruba

Hunter Ray Snyder

George Thomas Zapach

Certificate of Christian Discipleship

Rachel Sarah Mah

Diploma in Christian Ministry

Carson Scott Lobb

Bachelor of Theology Children and Family Ministry

Rebecca Dela Cruz

Deborah Yetunde Ifenowo

Certificate of Completion

Sookyoung Son

Bachelor of Theology Church Ministry

Brett Meeberg

Hayley Grace Meijndert

Sydney Thiessen

Braden Henry Wolf

Bachelor of Theology

Intercultural Ministry

Maria-Valentina Bernal Parra

Jasmine Joosse

Bachelor of Theology

Youth Ministry

Joshua Mark Rebalbos

EDUCATION CLASS OF 2026

Bachelor of Education (After-Degree)

Suha Abdulbaki

Yasmin Ait Chitt

Emma Mary Allan-Bellingham

Brittany Marie Andreas

Leah April Bahris

Michelle Belanger

Sara Nicole Bennett

Kelsey Elisabeth Brown

Shannon Taylor Cave

My Phuong Chow

Katelynn Jennelle Cook

Joedy Dalke

Alejandro Andres De La O

Claudia Jimena Delfin

Sebastian Eric Allan Din

Micheline Esposito

April Marie Evanson

Alicia Dawn Exner

Tania Patricia Maria Ford

Karla Margarita Gibson

Christina Goodall

Eric Leonard Gratton

Taryn Anne Gumpinger

Emily Marie Herman

Lindsay Hesjedal

Monica Kapur

Christopher Krueger

Zachary Lee

Andres Lopez-Negrete

Gregory Massey

Mitchell James Mathieson

Jacob Ian McCulloch

Theodore Mchugh

Faith Kathleen Mix-Schwartz

Erato Eradula Neophytou

Michael Neufeld

Catherine Amank Niikoi

Erik Jeffrey Okamura

Alexa Breanne Olson

Ginika Frances Onyeneri

Emma Patricia Perry

Miriam Bernadette Porcellato

Zoe Pyett

Gunnar James Raycroft

Charlotte Reid

Gabrielle Morgan Richard

Salina Samuel

Josie Ellen Schmidt

Tye Drew Speerin

Sydney Miranda Streu

Sean Teik Zhu Tan

Corbin Tod

Dwight Van Middlesworth

Laura Anne VanVilet

Tenzin Wangden

Ryan Wieninger

Rebecca Williams

Jenna Camille Zeller

SEMINARY CLASS OF 2026

Graduate Certificate in Leadership

Aaron Timothy Guibault

Louwell Ogbinar

Gerard Peter Mari Erguiza Reyes

Graduate Certificate in Spiritual Care

Sandhya Margaret Francis Dias

Sarah Herrington

David Ayoola Adeolu Jayeola

Graduate Diploma in Christian Studies

Ryan William Levi

Graduate Diploma in Christian Studies (Chinese Language)

Kit Ping Li

Master in Leadership and Ministry

Kyle Antoni Delos Reyes Agbing

Nathaniel Arseneault

Ekokobe Doris

Omolola Oluwatosin Eboru

Brenda Lee Frezell

Aaron Burford Havens

Godwin Ifeonu

James Okwudili Obiora

Jacob Azubike Onumejor

Maureen Ndidiamaka Onyeaka-Goindoo

Cynthia Dawn Parker

Debra Ann Poole

Jennifer Carole Taylor

Jeremiah Saji Thomas

Isioma Uwadubie

Master of Christian Studies

Morgan Jane Erion

Sharon Joy Froese

Master of Christian Studies (Chinese Language)

Kin Wing Chan

To Lui Chau

Yin Ying Chau

Chong Ho Ho

Wing Yin Ho

Chee Kai Lee

Suet Yee Lo

Siu Ming Serena Ng

Yali Ruan

Kim Tan

Siu Kwan Wong

Yuandi Zhao

Yihong Zhu

Master of Divinity

Sandhya Margaret Francis Dias

Jennifer Ann Frazer

Sarah Herrington

Winnifred Hume

Michelle Ko

Avery Thai Pham

Master of Divinity (Chinese Language)

Lingling Zhang

Master of Theological Studies

Jenna Lynn Pelias

Academic Regalia

Academic regalia is a modern representation of the everyday dress of both teachers and students of the early universities in medieval times. Over time, the costume evolved and became more symbolic than practical. Different designs and colours were developed to identify and represent various schools and degrees. Ambrose welcomes all North American Indigenous graduating students to celebrate their heritage through wearing ceremonial dress at their Convocation ceremony along with the Academic gown.

Gowns. Academic gowns are generally black, but some institutions, particularly at the doctoral level, have gowns reflecting the institutional colours. Gowns vary in style depending on the degree level. Bachelor gowns are usually black, usually closed in front, with long sleeves. Master’s gowns, also black, usually have three-quarter-length sleeves and a closed front.

Honour Cords. Gold woven cords with tassels are worn by baccalaureate degree students whose outstanding academic achievement merits the designation of cum laude, magna cum laude and summa cum laude.

Hoods. The hoods are distinguished first of all by their length, shape, and the width of their colourful velvet trim. Doctoral hoods are longer, with wider trim, and a more open design.

Ambrose adopts the North American Intercollegiate Code for Bachelors’ and Masters’ attire. The academic hood is a decorative garment worn over the gown by graduates of English-speaking universities around the world. It signifies admission into a community of scholars and recognizes the graduating student’s academic success.

Hoods. The hood colour corresponds with a specific faculty or discipline:

• Bachelor of Arts – white

• Bachelor of Business Administration –light brown

• Bachelor of Music – pink

• Bachelor of Science – gold

• Bachelor of Theology – scarlet with gold piping

• Bachelor of Education – blue

• Masters (seminary) – scarlet

Faculty Regalia. The Ambrose faculty have received their doctoral degrees from a variety of institutions around the world. Their regalia reflects that diversity in design of gowns, hoods and caps. Many doctoral gowns have velvet trim on the front and velvet trim bars on the sleeves. The gown is often distinctive to the awarding university.