Media Releases
Canada’s Top University Kicks off #UofTGrad17, The Country’s Biggest Graduation
June 5, 2017
Toronto, ON – Starting Tuesday, June 6 the next generation of leaders will graduate from Canada’s top university. This year, U of T will host 27 different ceremonies (two more than in 2016) over 13 days for almost 14,000 undergraduate and graduate students from the university’s three campuses in downtown Toronto, Scarborough and Mississauga.
They will be joined by 15 honorary degree recipients who have made notable achievements in their fields. Among them: celebrated Inuk singer and songwriter Susan Aglukark; media personalities André Picard and Peter Mansbridge, who retires as anchor of The National on July 1; renowned Canadian photographer Edward Burtynsky; and Margaret O. MacMillan, a globally recognized historian and professor at Oxford University.
“We are incredibly proud of the Class of 2017,” said U of T President Meric Gertler. “Congratulations to all of our graduates on their accomplishments, and to their families who supported them on their journey to this milestone.
U of T wishes our grads all the best as they enjoy their moment during #UofTGrad17.
Quick facts on U of T spring convocation 2017:
- First in Canada: the Black Graduation Celebration on June 22
- The first “My Campus Snapchat Story” posted for U of T and among the first ever posted in Canada
- First graduating classes of Rotman’s Master of Financial Risk Management program and the Munk One program at the Munk School of Global Affairs
- 1 Rhodes scholar: Stephanie Gaglione is a chemical engineering major
- 8 marshals dressed in scarlet gowns to help students line up properly for ceremony
- 12 weeks spent preparing the 13,975 parchments (diplomas) for the Class of 2017, from labelling and stuffing envelopes to triple-checking names and degrees are correct
- 15 honorary degree recipients: André Picard (June 6); B. Rosemary Grant & Peter Grant (June 7); Professor Arthur McDonald (June 8); Larry Phillip (Phil) Fontaine (June 9); Susan Aglukark and Professor Robert A. Hill (June 12); Catherine Lacavera and Reeta Roy (June 13); Sir George Alleyne (June 14); Amal Basha (June 15); John M. Cassaday and Edward Burtynsky (June 20); Margaret O. MacMillan and Peter Mansbridge (June 21). As part of the fall convocation, Murray Sinclair will also receive an honorary degree
- 27 individual ceremonies held over 13 days
- 60+ age range between oldest graduate − who is 78 years old − and the youngest − who is 18 − at spring convocation
- 41 trained volunteer readers reading out the names of more than 11,400 attending graduates
- 75+ different types of hoods, symbolizing different degrees worn by graduates and academic officials
- 365 doctoral degrees awarded at spring convocation
- 858 professional degrees, such as pharmacists, medical doctors, lawyers and dentists
- 2,888 master’s degrees awarded at spring convocation
- 9,824 bachelor’s degrees awarded at spring convocation
- 13,975 expected graduates, with more than 11,400 people in attendance
- 14,000+ rental academic gowns worn by students, faculty and staff
- 31,593 guest tickets
- 500,000-plus U of T alumni worldwide
Fall convocation for the Class of 2017 will be held from Nov. 6–10.
WHAT: | University of Toronto Convocation — The Country’s Biggest Graduation |
WHO: | 14,000 undergraduate and graduate students from U of T’s three campuses in downtown Toronto, Scarborough and Mississauga |
WHEN: | 27 ceremonies running from June 6 to June 22, 2017 |
WHERE: | Convocation Hall |
Contact:
Larysa Woloszansky
Media Relations, University of Toronto
Mobile: (416) 371‑1575
Email: larysa.woloszansky@utoronto.ca or media.relations@utoronto.ca
For more information:
U of T’s Convocation Hub https://www.utoronto.ca/convocation
Full schedule of ceremonies http://www.convocation.utoronto.ca/events