Congratulations messages
Welcome to Convocation! It is wonderful to welcome you back to Simon Fraser University, and to mark this important milestone with you.
As I reflect on this important occasion—and everything we have been through in the last two years—I am reminded of the important role that community plays in our lives. The SFU community has been a great source of encouragement for me, and I am thrilled that you have chosen to return so we can be a community once more: supporting each other, celebrating our successes, and lifting each other up.
I also want to thank you for everything you brought to this community. Your passion for learning, your kindness and compassion, your brave ideas—SFU would not be SFU without your contributions.
You graduated into a world full of change and uncertainty; one with many complex challenges and few easy answers. But I know you will meet them with the grace and heart that you shared with us during your time here. And the SFU community will be behind you the whole way.
From all of us, our heartfelt congratulations.
Tamara Vrooman, O.B.C., LLD (hon.)
Chancellor
Welcome back to SFU!
I am so excited to finally celebrate your achievements in person.
A lot has happened since you last walked through Convocation Mall. But what hasn’t changed is our appreciation for all you have contributed to the SFU community.
Every graduating class deserves recognition for its accomplishment. However, the perseverance you showed in completing your degree at one of the most challenging times in recent history adds special meaning and significance to this ceremony.
Your return to campus to mark this important milestone with friends, family and loved ones reflects the spirit of hope and resilience that helped get us through the last two years.
Please know that whatever path you have chosen since graduation, and wherever you’re going next, SFU will always be here for you. Come back anytime! We would love to see you and hear about all the amazing things you’re doing.
On behalf of everyone at SFU, our sincere congratulations. We are so proud of you. Welcome back, and welcome home.
Joy Johnson, PhD, FCAHS, FRSC
President and Vice-Chancellor
As President of SFU’s Alumni Association, I congratulate you on graduating from SFU! This is an accomplishment that has taken significant time, energy, and support to achieve.
I also welcome you as lifetime members of our dynamic and diverse worldwide network that is now more than 175,000 strong in over 140 countries. The community you are joining is vast, spans all industries and sectors, and includes alumni, like you, who are making significant impact in communities around the globe.
As your journey continues as an SFU alumnus, SFU is here to help you expand your personal and professional network through our alumni events and initiatives, and to support your success by offering a selection of alumni benefits that include career services, library services, and preferred rates on programs that address your personal and professional interests and development.
We will be reaching out to ask you to remain engaged by helping us advance and enhance the experience for future graduates. There are many helpful and rewarding capacities in which you can give back including serving as a mentor, guest speaker, co-op advocate, research partner, event attendee, and donor.
Please keep your email and mailing addresses up to date with SFU so we can help you make and maintain connections, inform you of upcoming events, and let you know about opportunities to remain involved and engaged with our great university.
Like any strong community, we take pride in your accomplishments—so please keep us informed of your life journey, and watch our social media channels for information on the accomplishments of fellow grads.
Alumni are SFU’s greatest ambassadors; thank you in advance for helping to showcase the value of your SFU education and the impact that it will have as you engage the world.
Congratulations, fellow alumni!
Pat Lougheed, BSc '04, MEd '12
President, SFU Alumni Association