Celebrating the Class of 2023

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Celebrating the Class of 2023

TORONTO, June 29, 2023 – Throughout the 2023 spring graduation season, Ontario universities’ campuses have been filled with celebration and excitement as students receive their degrees. Each ceremony and moment of recognition – a culmination of years of dedication and academic achievement – marked by heartfelt speeches, proud families and the joyous atmosphere of students celebrating their accomplishments.

Below is a snapshot of some of the special moments that took place across the province to honour and recognize Ontario’s university graduates.

The Algoma University community came together in a beautiful convocation ceremony held at the Roberta Bondar Pavilion, celebrating the academic achievements of Algoma’s graduating students in Sault Ste. Marie. Some celebrations were also held in Brampton and Timmins for the graduating class.

Brock University’s 113th Convocation took place with 3,500 graduates receiving their degrees. Spring convocation also included a historic moment in the university’s history as Lesley Rigg was formally installed as Brock’s seventh President and Vice-Chancellor on Monday, June 12, 2023.

More than 5,200 Carleton University graduates received their degrees during 15 convocation ceremonies that were held from June 12th to 16th. Carleton awarded honorary degrees to seven distinguished individuals who have made significant contributions to their respective fields. Carleton President and Vice-Chancellor, Benoit-Antoine Bacon gave the closing remarks for each ceremony, congratulating graduates and commending them for their hard work and perseverance.

The University of Guelph celebrated the class of 2023 during spring convocation ceremonies that kicked off on June 13th. The university awarded more than 3,900 degrees, diplomas, and certificates to graduates from seven colleges during 13 ceremonies held between June 13th to 16th at the Guelph Gryphons Athletics Centre.

Lakehead University’s 58th convocation ceremony and celebrations were held in Orillia and Thunder Bay. In total there were three convocation ceremonies for all graduates and special guests to attend.

Graduate ceremonies for Laurentian University took place from May 30th to June 2nd in the H. J. Fraser Auditorium. Provincial MPP for Sudbury and Laurentian alum, Jamie West was also in attendance.

Celebrations for the McMaster University Class of 2023 were held between May 24th and June 16th. One of the highlights of the ceremonies was the Indigenous graduation celebration that included drumming, dancing, laughter and joy, with a record number of graduating students participating.

Nipissing University’s graduate celebrations took place from June 13th to 15th, 2023 in North Bay. Each year during convocation, NU celebrates the recipients of the Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence. This year, six faculty members were recognized for excellence in the areas of research, teaching, and service.

OCAD University’s 2023 convocation ceremonies were held on June 9th, 2023 at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto and were also livestreamed. OCAD University awarded honorary doctorates to five remarkable individuals who have been leaders of change, having made a direct impact on arts and culture in Canada and worldwide.

The ceremonies for Ontario Tech University took place from June 7th to June 9th. The celebrations were held both in person and virtually. To commemorate graduates, there is a featured social wall on the university’s website displaying social media photos from the events.

The 2023 graduation ceremonies for the University of Ottawa took place in Ottawa between June 8th and June 11th, 2023 at the Shaw Centre, as well as in Toronto and Windsor. One of the exciting elements was a curated music playlist that accompanied students throughout their ceremonies.

Queen’s University took over the Leon’s Centre in downtown Kingston for four days of spring convocation ceremonies on May 26th and from June 20th to June 23rd. During the six ceremonies, over 4,200 graduates and more than 12,500 supporters celebrated the class of 2023.

University of Toronto graduates celebrated the achievements of the graduating class of 2023 from June 1st to 22nd. Some graduates celebrated virtually with custom backgrounds, GIPHY stickers, and more under the #UofTGrad23 hashtag.

Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) graduates crossed the convocation stage this year from June 14th – 27th. The ceremonies were held both in person and virtually. This is TMU’s first year with the university’s new name on its degrees.

Trent University saw the largest graduating class in its history honoured at this year’s convocation. More than 2,600 graduates were celebrated at ceremonies in Peterborough and Durham from June 6th to 16th. During this year’s ceremonies, the university awarded honorary degrees to four social changemakers, recognized for their extraordinary contributions to society.

Fourteen exceptional University of Waterloo students were chosen to represent the graduating class of 2023 as valedictorians. It was a week to remember as more than 7,000 graduates were celebrated at the University of Waterloo’s 126th convocation.

The 321st convocation ceremonies for Western University took place from June 12th to 16th and June 19th to 23rd. Western Alumni are celebrating the newest alumni with complimentary photos with instant downloads.

Wilfrid Laurier University celebrated the accomplishments of 3,552 graduating students at convocation ceremonies on its Brantford and Waterloo campuses. The ceremonies were hosted in person on June 6th in Brantford and June 12th to 16th in Waterloo.

Celebrations for the University of Windsor spring convocation took place from May 30th to June 2nd. The Co-op education and internship students were presented with a new distinction at convocation — a teal and gold cord signifying graduates who complemented their academic studies by participating in Co-op Education and Workplace Partnerships. Making history this year is Stephanie Esentsei Pangowish who became the first Indigenous graduate of Windsor’s LLM program.

York University created a convenient tool called the “2023 Spring Ceremony Search” to help students find all the relevant information regarding graduate ceremonies. This year the university invited graduates to attend two new events to celebrate their accomplishments: Black Grad Celebration hosted by the York’s Black Alumni Network (YUBAN) and Rainbow Grad Celebration hosted by York’s Sexuality & Gender Advocacy Alumni Network (SAGA).

Caps off to each new graduate! Jill Dunlop, Minister of Colleges and Universities’ shares a special video message for this next chapter.

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