ST. JOHN’S, NL – College of the North Atlantic (CNA) graduates now have some hardware to proudly demonstrate their top academic performances during their post-secondary education careers. On Monday, Sept. 25, Lieutenant Governor the Honourable Frank F. Fagan hosted the Governor General’s Academic Medals ceremony at Government House in St. John’s. The event was attended by 11 of the 14 award recipients, CNA President & CEO Dr. Bill Radford, along with invited special guests, where they all celebrated the academic achievements of CNA’s top students for the 2017 academic year. “I have witnessed students and faculty overcoming the challenges facing them time and time again. The evidence is here today, as I look around the room, and see our graduates receiving well-deserved credit for exemplary performances during their post-secondary careers. You have excelled not only as students at the top of your respective campuses, but I believe you have also embraced the necessary leadership qualities that will undoubtedly shape your futures, and will result in fulfilling careers and livelihoods,” Dr. Radford said in his address. Before handing out the medals, Lt. Gov. Fagan told those assembled that he was pleased to celebrate the accomplishments of the winners with them, and that the future of the province is in good hands. The Governor General’s Academic medal is awarded to students graduating with the highest grade point average from a Canadian college program. They are presented by the educational institution on behalf of the Governor General. It is one of the most prestigious awards a student can receive while attending a Canadian post-secondary educational institution. CNA recipients of the Governor General Academic Awards include: Ershler, Kyle Campus: Distance Learning | Hometown: Goulds | Program: Web Development Gage, Kendra Campus: Labrador West | Hometown: Wabush | Program: Office Administration – Executive Hann, Candice Campus: Port aux Basques | Hometown: Codroy | Program: Office Administration – Executive (Diploma) Healey, Angela Campus: Grand Falls-Windsor| Hometown: Grand Falls-Windsor | Program: Renovation Technician Hillier, Tammy Campus: St. Anthony | Hometown: St. Lunaire | Office Administration LePatourel, Kirstie Campus: Happy Valley-Goose Bay | Hometown: Churchill Falls | Program: Practical Nurse Park, James Campus: Corner Brook | Hometown: Corner Brook | Program: Business Administration – Accounting Peddle, Melissa Campus: Carbonear | Hometown: Harbour Grace | Program: Business Administration – Accounting Penney, Brandon Campus: Prince Philip Drive | Hometown: Clarenville | Program: Sound Recording & Production Schingnitz, Anika Campus: Gander | Hometown: Gander | Program: Aircraft Maintenance & Engineering Technician Slaney, Jocelyn Campus: Burin | Hometown: St. Lawrence | Program: Welding Engineering Technician Thorne, Zachary Campus: Ridge Road | Hometown: Lewisporte | Program: Electronics Engineering Technology (Biomedical) Vardy, Leslie Ann Campus: Clarenville | Hometown: Hickman’s Harbour | Program: Office Administration White, Nicholas Campus: Bay St. George | Hometown: Stephenville | Program: Business Administration – Accounting -30- Media contact: Michelle Jesso Communications Specialist College of the North Atlantic 709-643-7721 michelle.jesso@cna.nl.ca