Convocation

Convocation book

Browse our interactive convocation book for Spring 2025. We recommend you browse in full-screen mode for the best experience.

Distinguished speakers

During convocation, we celebrate honorary degree recipients and hear from inspiring keynote speakers.

Nicky Nash

Keynote speaker – Ceremony three

Nicky Nash is the Director of Fund Development and Donor Relations at Kids Up Front Calgary, where she’s been a passionate advocate for children and youth since 2012. She previously served as the organization’s executive director for eight years, leading initiatives that provide access to enriching experiences for deserving kids. Nicky holds a Business Administration, Marketing diploma from SAIT and a Non-Profit Management Certificate from Mount Royal University. Before transitioning to the non-profit sector, she worked in experiential marketing with major brands like Coca-Cola, Rogers and L'Oréal, bringing a dynamic approach to community engagement and relationship-building.

Living with multiple sclerosis (MS), Nicky lives by the motto “I don’t need easy, I just need possible.” She’s participated in MS walks for six consecutive years and has proudly raised over $15,000 for the MS Society of Canada. Her commitment to advocacy, inclusion and community support extends well beyond her professional role. An engaged volunteer and community builder, Nicky has been recognized as an Inspired Albertan by CTV Calgary (2021), a recipient of SAIT’s Outstanding Young Alumni Award (2017) and the Calgary Flames Iconic Community Captain Award (2016). With a deep passion for the social sector, Nicky continues to work tirelessly to improve the lives of kids and families across southern Alberta.

Betty-Lou Crazyboy Manyfeathers

Honorary degree recipient

Betty-Lou Crazyboy Manyfeathers, known by her Piikani name Misomophkotoka (Long Time Rock), is an Elder with the Blackfoot Confederacy from Piikani Nation. She practices the traditional way of life and is a ceremonialist who has earned the rights to be a pipe carrier.

Betty-Lou is a first-generation graduate with a diploma in social work from Mount Royal University, a milestone that launched her 20-year career. Betty-Lou held various positions that allowed her to make meaningful contributions to individuals and families by providing resources and support while giving back to her community.

Betty-Lou plays an essential role in education and cultural mentorship. She provides counselling to students and facilitates opportunities to participate in Indigenous ceremonies. In her current position as Elder in Residency at SAIT, Betty-Lou is dedicated to fostering an environment of inclusivity and understanding, supporting students and SAIT’s Indigenous student support centre, Natoysopoyiis. Her work is deeply rooted in her identity as a proud Indigenous woman, and she actively promotes the importance of cultural heritage and community well-being.

Learn about Honorary Degrees

President's awards

SAIT is proud to recognize and celebrate transformational community impact, partnership and student leadership through the President's Awards: the President's Medal and the President's Student Leadership Award.

We're excited to introduce you to the 2025 SAIT President's Awards recipients:

• President's Medal: Loretta Amos, Business Administration, School of Business
• President's Medal: Ryan Ng, Advanced Care Paramedic, School of Health and Public Safety
• 2025 President's Student Leadership Award: Construction Project Management Students' Association

Learn more about SAIT President's Awards

Valedictorians

At each convocation ceremony, a graduating student with excellent academic standing will give a commencement speech to the graduating class.

Smita Biswas

Business Administration, Management
School of Business

Smita Biswas thinks of SAIT as more than just a school — it’s a community that welcomed her with open arms and offered endless opportunities to grow, lead and make meaningful connections.

As part of that community, Smita served in student leadership and support roles as a Student Engagement Leader, Outreach Wellness Leader, Eco Ambassador, Peer Mentor and English Conversation Partner, as well as hosting SAIT’s Diwali celebration and being President of a SAITSA outdoor club. Her hard work and dedication were recognized through both the Davidson Enman Lumber scholarship and Saitsa’s Thérèse Murray Award.

SAIT helped Smita discover her voice, build her confidence and lead with empathy and purpose, and she is proud to graduate from the Business Administration, Management program.

Pavneet Cheema

Bachelor of Business Administration, Human Resources
School of Business

Pavneet Cheema moved to Canada with her family in Grade 11 and was unsure of her place in a new country. Two years later, she graduated high school as an honour student with a 4.0 GPA.

The next step of Pavneet’s journey brought her to SAIT’s Bachelor of Business Administration program. As a student, she continued to lead with purpose — maintaining academic excellence while serving as a co-president of Enactus SAIT and guiding the team to both regional and national recognition. Under her leadership, the Enactus team expanded from two to seven sustainable and award-winning business model projects focused on social, economic and environmental innovation.

Pavneet proudly represented SAIT through the Light Up the World’s solar energy project in Peru. There, she worked alongside Electrical Engineering Technology students and professionals to install 18 solar panels and light up 40 classrooms, brightening the lives of more than 124 students. Next, Pavneet plans to teach English to children in Morocco while learning about the country’s history, architecture and women’s experiences. Her journey from newcomer to change-maker is a powerful reminder that leadership is not about titles but about impact.

Raymund Del Rosario

Energy Asset Management
MacPhail School of Energy

Born and raised in the Philippines, Raymund Del Rosario began his professional life in the music industry after earning a Bachelor’s in Broadcast Communication. Despite early success as a record producer, he shifted to the oil and gas industry to better support his family, starting over as an order taker for fuels and lubricants — ushering in a decade-long career in procurement and supply chain management.

Driven to realize his full potential, Raymund moved to Calgary in 2023 to study at SAIT, where he is now graduating with honours from the Energy Asset Management diploma program. As an international student engagement leader and the vice president of the Student Petroleum Society, he played a key role in building an inclusive and welcoming environment at the MacPhail School of Energy. His passion for student life is evident in his work as an English Conversation Partner, Peer Mentor and Eco Ambassador.

Beyond campus, Raymund has represented SAIT with distinction in industry circles, including the Canadian Association of Land and Energy Professionals, which awarded him the Canadian Association of Professional Landmen Scholarship in 2024. His volunteer efforts with the Calgary Public Library and the National Music Centre highlight his commitment to community engagement and cultural enrichment. He now works in the Canadian energy sector as a mineral land analyst for Cenovus Energy.

Paisley Gatfield

Baking and Pastry Arts
School of Hospitality and Tourism

Paisley Gatfield was born and raised in Calgary and started her post-secondary journey at SAIT in the Culinary Arts program, graduating with a diploma in 2023. Now, she’s about to become a SAIT alumna for the second time, with a diploma in Baking and Pastry Arts.

Driven by curiosity and creativity, Paisley believes food should be immersive, emotional and rooted in both science and art. Her student experience has been underscored by incredible achievements — including two first-place medals from Provincial Skills in the Culinary Arts and Baking categories.

Currently leveraging her skills as a culinary professional at local restaurant Salt & Brick, Paisley’s goal is to one day run her own restaurant focused on food science pairing and aroma, creating a multi-sensory dining experience. She also hopes to share her passion for innovation and excellence by mentoring future culinary students.

Alen Reni Thomas

Software Development
School for Advanced Digital Technology

Alen Reni Thomas was born in Kerala, India and moved to Canada at the age of three. Both of his parents were teachers, and he was raised with a passion for learning and helping others learn from a young age. He also developed a strong interest in technology — which led him to SAIT.

At SAIT, Alen was the president of the SAIT Student Code Club, where he organized networking events, hackathons and tech workshops for club members. Along with his studies, he worked at SAIT as a Student Outreach Wellness Leader through the Student Development and Counselling Department, sharing mental wellness resources with fellow students. Alen was also an active volunteer with nonprofit organizations like Tech Connect Alberta, where he served as community manager, connecting students with a community of more than 3,000 IT professionals.

Alen’s leadership and community volunteerism earned recognition from the House of Commons, where he received a Certificate of Appreciation for Community Volunteerism, presented by a Member of Parliament in Calgary.

Upcoming events

Commemorative items

Class hoodies

Visit the SAIT Bookstore in person to purchase your Class of 2025 hoodie, with personalization options available.

Class rings

Jostens provides services for SAIT graduates online. All inquiries should be directed towards our Jostens graduation ring representative:

Sean Kelly
Phone: 403.252.1774
Toll-free 1.877.252.1774
sean.kelly@jostens.com

Convocation FAQs