File Photo

Sixty-six graduates received their Diplomas in Agriculture at the 2015 convocation of the School of Agriculture held Friday, May 1, at the University of Manitoba.

William Pallister of Portage la Prairie received the Governor General's Bronze Medal, an award given to the graduate with the highest academic standing in the two-year Diploma Program in Agriculture.

Michael Wilton of Carman was the recipient of the President's Medal, given annually to a student who combines scholarship with outstanding qualities of leadership.

Diplomas with Distinction, awarded to students who obtain a Grade Point Average of 3.75 or better out of a possible 4.5, were presented to Lucette Badiou (Notre Dame de Lourdes), Tyler Bartmanovich (Glenlea), Luc Berard (Saint Claude), Emily Boonstra (Meadows), Todd Friesen (Niverville), Bryan Koster (Carman), Kilian Mueller (Arnaud), William Pallister, Dexter Rempel (Gretna), Nicole Verrier (La Salle), Brent Wiebe (Altona) and Michael Wilton.

The Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences annually awards Certificates of Merit to those who have made significant contributions to the agri-food industry. This year's recipients include soil scientist Cynthia Grant of Minnedosa, MB, and potato industry leader Keith Kuhl of Winkler, MB.

Teacher of the Year Awards were presented to Terry Betker, Thea Green and Gabi Sponagel-Ridder in recognition of teaching excellent and contribution to the students' program of study. Terry was recognized by the first-year Diploma students, and Thea and Gabi were selected by the second-year Diploma students.

Since its inception in 1906, the Diploma in Agriculture program at the School of Agriculture has undergone many changes and challenges to meet the ever-growing needs of Canada's agri-food industry. Students opt for one of four programs: crop management, livestock management, business management or general agriculture, depending on their career aspirations.