A doctoral degree represents years of hard work, perseverance, and dedication. Reaching the finish line is a remarkable achievement worth celebrating.
Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs is proud to celebrate the achievements of graduating PhD students.
About the PhD graduates celebration
Twice a year, Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs honours graduating doctoral students and their accomplishments with a celebration ahead of convocation. The celebration features a hot buffet dinner, desserts and drinks, a complimentary photo booth, speeches, and a video of Waterloo memories. Graduating doctoral students, up to one guest of their choosing, and their doctoral supervisor(s) are invited to attend and celebrate this milestone achievement.
Note: The celebration is in addition to the University-wide convocation ceremonies. Graduating students still need to register separately to attend convocation and other graduation events.
June 2026 event
Graduating PhD students and their supervisors will be invited to register via direct emails from GSPA — watch your inboxes! Please register by June 1.
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When: Monday, June 15, 5:30 to 8 p.m.
- Where: Federation Hall (FED), University of Waterloo
- Who: Graduating PhD students, a maximum of one guest of their choosing, and their doctoral supervisor(s)
Cost to attend
- Graduating PhD students: No charge
- Guest of graduating PhD student: $25 ($22.12 +HST)
- Supervisor(s): $25 ($22.12 +HST) each
What to expect
- Attendees will be greeted at the front entrance of Federation Hall (FED) and directed up the ramp to the event venue, where graduates, guests, and supervisors/co-supervisors can check in at the reception desk.
- Each attendee will receive one drink ticket at check-in.
- Graduates will receive a commemorative gift.
- A self-serve coat check will be available. Please note that GPSA is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
- A complimentary photo booth will be available throughout the evening.
- Seating is open and not pre-arranged. Attendees are welcome to sit where they wish.
- Drink tickets can be redeemed at the bar for a beverage of choice. Additional drinks may be purchased using debit or credit card only (no cash accepted).
- A buffet dinner with dessert and coffee will be served, and tables will be invited up in groups.
- Following dinner, the evening will include short speeches from doctoral graduates and senior University of Waterloo administrators, along with a slideshow featuring photos submitted by students, guests, and supervisors.
If you require any additional details, please contact Ashley Ryan, Graduate and Postdoctoral Programming Specialist.
Photo submission
No celebration is complete without reminiscing about all the memories you or your student has made. What better way to do that than through photos? We encourage spring 2026 PhD graduates, supervisors, family members, and friends to submit photos of their (or their student’s) time while at Waterloo. Examples include, but are not limited to, attending a conference or event, hanging out with peers in the lab, studying in the library, or at a PhD defence.
Photo submissions are due by June 8, 2026.
Accessibility
Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs and the University of Waterloo are committed to achieving barrier-free accessibility for persons with disabilities who are visiting, studying, or working at Waterloo.
If you have questions concerning access, such as parking, building layouts, or obtaining workshop content (when applicable) in alternative formats, or wish to request accommodations for our programming, please let us know by contacting Ashley Ryan, Graduate and Postdoctoral Programming Specialist, Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs. Please note that some accommodations may require time to arrange.