A business administration student at Lakeland College has been awarded the Governor General’s Academic Medal, one of Canada’s oldest and most respected academic honours. Cort Egeland, who majored in real estate appraisal and assessment at the college’s Lloydminster campus, received the medal on June 12, 2026, in recognition of his outstanding academic achievement.
Originally from Medstead, Saskatchewan, Egeland described the recognition as both surprising and rewarding. The Governor General’s Academic Medal was created in 1873 by Lord Dufferin and is awarded at four levels. Egeland earned the Collegiate Bronze medal, given to top students in post-secondary diploma programs.
Adam Waterman, Chair of the Lakeland College Board of Governors, presented the medal. Lakeland College is Canada’s only inter-provincial college, serving students from both Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Egeland’s achievement goes beyond the medal. He has already secured a job with Suncorp Valuations, a property appraisal firm with more than 40 years of experience. This career path connects directly to his studies in a specialized program offered at only a handful of schools across the country.
During his time at Lakeland, Egeland took part in campus life beyond the classroom. He attended Rustlers sporting events, joined Synergy Speakers’ Corner sessions to build public speaking skills, and volunteered around campus. He credits the college with giving him a strong foundation, both personally and academically.
