2026 Graduation Program

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.

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)

Hearing 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?” 34

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

38 This 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.”

37

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)

Ashlyn Beatrice Avril Meeberg

Emmanuel Lamvu

Emma Jane Sommerville

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

Nauras Ahmed Qureshi Asavari Sandhu 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

Harsheen Kaur

Bachelor of Arts Music (major)

Mikyla Alyse MacPherson

Vivid Lui

Elise Danielle Wagner

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

Blessiney Umaharan

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

Diploma in Christian Ministry Carson Scott Lobb Bachelor of Theology Children and Family Ministry Rebecca Dela Cruz Deborah Yetunde Ifenowo

Sydney Harner Liam David Hawkins

Certificate of Completion

Joshua James Hill

Sookyoung Son

Basil Hollaway Diana Hruba Hunter Ray Snyder George Thomas Zapach

Bachelor of Theology Church Ministry Brett Meeberg Hayley Grace Meijndert

Certificate of Christian Discipleship Rachel Sarah Mah

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 Alicia Dawn Exner

Bachelor of Education (After-Degree)

Tania Patricia Maria Ford

Suha Abdulbaki

Karla Margarita Gibson

Yasmin Ait Chitt

Christina Goodall

Emma Mary Allan-Bellingham

Eric Leonard Gratton

Brittany Marie Andreas

Taryn Anne Gumpinger

Leah April Bahris

Emily Marie Herman

Michelle Belanger

Lindsay Hesjedal

Sara Nicole Bennett

Monica Kapur

Kelsey Elisabeth Brown

Christopher Krueger

Shannon Taylor Cave

Zachary Lee

My Phuong Chow

Andres Lopez-Negrete

Katelynn Jennelle Cook

Gregory Massey

Joedy Dalke

Mitchell James Mathieson

Alejandro Andres De La O

Jacob Ian McCulloch

Claudia Jimena Delfin

Theodore Mchugh

Sebastian Eric Allan Din

Faith Kathleen Mix-Schwartz

Micheline Esposito

Erato Eradula Neophytou

April Marie Evanson

Michael Neufeld

Corbin Tod

Catherine Amank Niikoi

Dwight Van Middlesworth

Erik Jeffrey Okamura

Laura Anne VanVilet

Alexa Breanne Olson

Tenzin Wangden

Ginika Frances Onyeneri

Ryan Wieninger

Emma Patricia Perry

Rebecca Williams

Miriam Bernadette Porcellato

Jenna Camille Zeller

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

SEMINARY CLASS OF 2026 Master in Leadership and Ministry

Graduate Certificate in Leadership Aaron Timothy Guibault

Kyle Antoni Delos Reyes Agbing

Louwell Ogbinar

Nathaniel Arseneault

Gerard Peter Mari Erguiza Reyes

Ekokobe Doris Omolola Oluwatosin Eboru

Graduate Certificate in Spiritual Care

Brenda Lee Frezell Aaron Burford Havens

Sandhya Margaret Francis Dias Sarah Herrington

James Okwudili Obiora

David Ayoola Adeolu Jayeola

Jacob Azubike Onumejor

Godwin Ifeonu

Maureen Ndidiamaka Onyeaka-Goindoo Graduate Diploma in Christian Studies

Cynthia Dawn Parker

Ryan William Levi

Jennifer Carole Taylor

Debra Ann Poole Jeremiah Saji Thomas

Graduate Diploma in Christian Studies (Chinese Language) Kit Ping Li

Isioma Uwadubie

Master of Christian Studies

Master of Divinity

Morgan Jane Erion

Sandhya Margaret Francis Dias

Sharon Joy Froese

Jennifer Ann Frazer Sarah Herrington

Master of Christian Studies (Chinese Language)

Winnifred Hume

Kin Wing Chan

Avery Thai Pham

To Lui Chau Yin Ying Chau

Michelle Ko

Chong Ho Ho

Master of Divinity (Chinese Language)

Wing Yin Ho

Lingling Zhang

Chee Kai Lee Suet Yee Lo Siu Ming Serena Ng

Master of Theological Studies

Yali Ruan

Jenna Lynn Pelias

Kim Tan Siu Kwan Wong Yuandi Zhao Yihong Zhu

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.

Academic Awards Phi Delta Lambda Honours Society

School of Education Awards

Lincoln Alexander

Academic Leadership Award: Emily Herman

Emanuel Cusanelli Brandi Hanna Diana Hruba Chloe Kilgore Ethan Nickerson

Servant Leadership Award: Sean Tan Professional Leadership Award: Frances Onyeneri

Bethany Wickens Ethne Zieb-Herrmann Delta Epsilon Chi Honour Society Hayley Meijndert

The Alberta Teachers’ Association Gold Medal in Education Kelsey Brown Ambrose Seminary Honours Society Michelle Ko

Ambrose University Board of Governors Mark Collins National Director, Church of the Nazarene Canada Fonthill, ON Teresa Davidson Healthcare Executive Calgary, AB Scott Dickie Lead Pastor Surrey, BC Krista Friesen Businessperson Dallas, TX/Calgary, AB Darren Herbold President, The Alliance Canada Milton, ON Janet Kirby Businessperson Kelowna, BC Gregory Kline Endocrinologist Calgary, AB Leonard Lam Lead Pastor Calgary, AB Alison Lefebvre Pastor / Consultant Didsbury, AB

Ilse Li Lay Leader Edmonton, AB Howard Louie Businessperson Vancouver, BC Debi Mills Businessperson Stony Plain, AB Srimal Ranasinghe Urban Planning Consultant Calgary, AB Kevin Seibel Realtor Victoria, BC Bernie Van De Walle District Superintendent, Canadian Midwest District of The Alliance Canada Regina, SK