This June, Wilfrid Laurier University celebrated more than 4,013 graduating students during its spring convocation ceremonies in Waterloo and Brantford, marking the beginning of a new chapter for its students.
From June 15 to 19, the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics was full of graduates and their families gathering to mark the occasion. Celebrating a total of 4,013 graduates, with 3,269 in Waterloo and 744 in Brantford. The main floor was transformed into a lively space, decorated with balloons, streamers and photo backdrops, creating an atmosphere of community. Many families attended the ceremony, finding space in the upper wings of Laz Hall to support their loved ones.
Throughout the celebrations, convocation ceremonies also recognized outstanding contributions within the Laurier community. Xu (Sunny) Wang and Michelle Skop were honoured with the Faculty Award for Service Excellence and Community Engagement, while Jasmine Zine and Steve Sider were named University Research Professors, highlighting the academic and community impact that defines the institution.
This year’s ceremonies also recognized several honorary doctorate recipients, including R&B singer Jully Black-Valentine, Second World War veteran Sir George Herbert Beardshaw, Indigenous language educator Ningwakwe Priscilla George and retail leader Diane J. Brisebois.
For many students, the ceremonies represented more than a celebration. Graduates described feeling a mix of excitement and relief at completing their studies, alongside a sense of loss as they prepared to leave behind a familiar, structured environment and a close-knit community. The shift from student life into the uncertainty of the “real world.”
That sense of continuity, however, remains through the Wilfrid Laurier Alumni Association, which automatically welcomes graduates into a global network of more than 140,000 alumni spread out across the world. Brought together by their shared Laurier experience, this community offers a lasting connection.
During the ceremony, Black-Valentine presented a commencement speech, “And as Golden Hawks, we don’t spend our lives staring at the ground. We lift our eyes to what’s possible. We rise above obstacles. We trust the journey, even when we can’t see the destination.” Sang Black-Valentine.
Convocation was first established at Laurier in 1911, continuing a tradition which celebrated generations of graduates as they transition into the next stage of their lives.
As convocation concludes, Laurier celebrates the remarkable achievements of our future Laurier alumni.
