SFU celebrates spring convocation ceremonies this week

Simon Fraser University students graduating this spring will commemorate their achievements during convocation ceremonies from June 6 – 10 at SFU’s Burnaby Campus.

Nearly 5,400 graduands will cross the stage to receive their degrees following the conclusion their undergraduate studies. The ceremonies will commence at 9:45 am and 2:30 pm on each day and will start with SFU’s world-class pipe-band procession guiding graduands into Convocation Mall, where their families and friends will assemble to watch. 

The ceremonies will see honorary degrees conferred on seven distinguished individuals, beginning on June 6. Learn more about the recipients here. 

Honorary degrees will be bestowed on:

• Artist and arts administrator Zainub Verjee, Doctor of Fine Arts, honoris causa June 6, (9:45 am)
• Former politician Svend Robinson, Doctor of Laws, honoris causa June 6 (2:30 pm)
• Award-winning writer/filmmaker Dany Laferrière, Doctor of Letters, honoris causa June 7 (9:45 am)
• Lawyer and activist barbara findlay, Doctor of Laws, honoris causa June 7 (2:30 pm)
• Canadian geoscientist Donald Dingwell, Doctor of Science, honoris causa June 8 (2:30 pm)
• Social justice leader Adelle Blackett, Doctor of Law, honoris causa June 9 (9:45 am)
• Former politician/social activist Joy MacPhail, Doctor of Laws, honoris causa June 9 (2:30 pm)

Ceremonies will recognize graduands in the following faculties:

• Arts and Social Sciences, June 6 (9:45 am & 2:30 pm & June 7 (9:45 am)
• Business, June 7 (2:30 pm)
• Applied Sciences, June 8 (9:45 pm)
• Health Sciences, June 8 (2:30 pm)
• Science, June 8 (2:30 pm)
• Communication, Art, and Technology, June 9 (9:45 pm)
• Education, June 9 (2:30 pm)
• Environment, June 9 (2:30 pm)

Media are welcome to attend the ceremonies. To arrange parking and accreditation, please contact SFU’s Communications & Marketing office, mediarelations@sfu.ca or 778.782.3210.

• Ceremonies are approximately one and a half hours in length and commence with speeches from Chancellor Tamara Vrooman and SFU President Joy Johnson. The honorary degree is then conferred (approximately 20 minutes into the ceremony) followed by the recipient’s speech. After a class valedictorian address, the formal procession of graduands across the stage follows. 

Contact

RAY SHARMA, SFU Communications & Marketing 
778.782.3210 | ray_sharma@sfu.ca

Simon Fraser University
Communications & Marketing |  SFU Media Experts Directory
778.782.3210 

ABOUT SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

As Canada’s engaged university, SFU works with communities, organizations and partners to create, share and embrace knowledge that improves life and generates real change. We deliver a world-class education with lifelong value that shapes change-makers, visionaries and problem-solvers. We connect research and innovation to entrepreneurship and industry to deliver sustainable, relevant solutions to today’s problems. With campuses in British Columbia’s three largest cities—Vancouver, Burnaby and Surrey—SFU has eight faculties that deliver 193 undergraduate degree programs and 144 graduate degree programs to more than 37,000 students. The university now boasts more than 170,000 alumni residing in 145+ countries.