3,458 U of S students set to graduate in June

SASKATOON – The University of Saskatchewan (U of S) invites members of the media to Spring Convocation.

Eight ceremonies – 9 am and 2 pm, June 4 – 7, 2018
TCU Place, 35 22nd Street East, Saskatoon
 

This spring, 3,458 students are expected to graduate from the University of Saskatchewan. These graduates join a century-old community of more than 152,000 alumni worldwide whose contributions are helping to shape our world. All ceremonies will be streamed live.

 

Story ideas

  • Legendary musician Joni Mitchell and hockey coach Dave King are among the eight Canadians receiving honorary degrees during the university’s spring convocation ceremonies.
    • Mitchell will not be present. U of S President and Vice-Chancellor Peter Stoicheff will receive the honorary degree on Mitchell’s behalf. Canadian singer songwriter Kathleen Edwards will also play a Mitchell song as a tribute
    • Learn more about all of the spring convocation honorary degree recipients.
    • At convocation we display the Treaty 6 flag, Métis flag and sing an honour song.
      • At the U of S, we have one of the highest populations of Indigenous students among Canadian post-secondary institutions.
        • In the 2016-17 academic year, 2,979 Aboriginal students were U of S students.
  • 384 self-declared Aboriginal students are expected to graduate at Spring Convocation
  • Father and daughter James (Jim) Searson and Vanessa Searson will graduate.
  • This year marks the 50th year the U of S has held convocation ceremonies at TCU Place.
    • Just six weeks after the doors opened on April 1, 1968, Saskatoon’s new Centennial Auditorium hosted the 57th annual U of S spring convocation.
    • This is also the last year the U of S will hold ceremonies at TCU. Beginning in 2019, U of S convocation will be coming home to campus to Merlis Belsher Place, a new multi-sport facility currently under construction.
    • 100 years ago, the First World War ended. The Great War, which raged across the globe between 1914 and 1918, exacted a heavy toll on the U of S.
      • Of the 345 students, faculty and staff who enlisted, 69 died, more than 100 were wounded and 33 were awarded medals.
      • Edwards School of Business is celebrating its 100-year anniversary.

 

To media who plan to attend convocation

  • Before arriving, please contact Meghan Sired, contact information below.
  • Photographers may take photos from anywhere—except on the stage once the ceremonies begin.
  • Reserved space for media is located on the second floor to the left of the stage (all other seats are reserved for the graduating students and their guests).
  • The route graduates use as they proceed to the stage must be kept clear.

Convocation schedule

For the morning ceremonies, the academic procession begins at 8:45 am, speeches at 9 am and graduates start walking across the stage at 10 am. For the afternoon ceremony, the academic procession begins at 1:45 pm, speeches at 2 pm and graduates start walking across the stage at 3 pm. For the full convocation schedule, see: https://students.usask.ca/events/spring-convocation.php

 
CEREMONY 1: Monday, June 4, 9 am
Graduating: Engineering
Honorary Doctor of Laws: Dave King, a legendary Canadian hockey coach.
University Staff Excellence Award: Dale Claude
 
CEREMONY 2: Monday June 4, 2 pm
Graduating: Education
Honorary Doctor of Letters: Joni Mitchell, world-renowned musician and visual artist—Mitchell will not be present. U of S President and Vice-Chancellor Peter Stoicheff will receive the honorary degree on Mitchell’s behalf.
 
CEREMONY 3: Tuesday, June 5, 9 am
Graduating: Arts and Science, Distance Education Unit (Certificate in Adult and Continuing Education), University Language Centre (English for Academic Purposes and Graduate Pathways Certificate), Graduate Professional Skills Certificate and School of Public Health
Honorary Doctor of Laws: Leonard Edwards, one of Canada's longest serving and most distinguished diplomats
Master Teacher: Joseph Garcea
Distinguished Researcher Award: Carl Gutwin
New Researcher: Timothy Jardine
Governor General’s Silver Medal: Francois Roewer-Despres
 
CEREMONY 4: Tuesday, June 5, 2 pm
Graduating: Arts and Science, School of Environment and Sustainability, and Johnson Shoyama School of Public Policy
Honorary Doctor of Letters: David Carpenter, award-winning writer and editor
Governor General’s Gold Medal: Adam Crane

CEREMONY 5: Wednesday, June 6, 9 am
Graduating: Edwards School of Business and Law
Honorary Doctor of Laws: Merlis Belsher, businessman and philanthropist
 
CEREMONY 6: Wednesday, June 6, 2 pm
Graduating: Agriculture and Bioresources
Honorary Doctor of Laws: Agnes Herzberg, highly respected statistician
Governor General Gold Medal: Jamie Willems
 
CEREMONY 7: Thursday, June 7, 9 am
Graduating: Kinesiology, Medicine, Pharmacy and Nutrition, School of Physical Therapy, and Veterinary Medicine
Honorary Doctor of Science: Ross Petty, one the world’s most outstanding pediatric rheumatologists
Governor General's Silver Medal: Molly Rayner

CEREMONY 8: Thursday, June 7, 2 pm
Graduating: Dentistry and Nursing
Honorary Doctor of Laws: Joseph Quewezance, dedicated to improving the quality of life for First Nations in Saskatchewan
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For more information, contact:

Meghan Sired
Communications Co-ordinator
University of Saskatchewan
306-966-6068 (office)
306-381-7992 (cell)
meghan.sired@usask.ca