PhD graduates celebration

Twice a year, Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs hosts a PhD graduates celebration, to honour the accomplishments of PhD graduates, preceding the spring and fall University of Waterloo convocation.The celebration features a hot buffet dinner, desserts and drinks, along with a complimentary photo booth to commemorate the special occasion, with a sprinkling of speeches and a video of Waterloo memories. The event also welcomes graduate student speakers, typically winners or finalists of the Alumni Gold Medal and/or Governor General's Gold Medal.

Doctoral graduating students (and up to one guest of their choosing) and their doctoral supervisor(s) are invited to attend the  celebration and commemorate their achievements.

PhD graduate attendance at this celebration is complimentary; there is no charge for fall 2025 PhD graduates to attend. If graduates wish to bring a guest, please note that only one guest per graduate is permitted. A small fee of $22.12 + HST ($25 total) will apply to their attendance. The cost of attendance for each supervisor is $25 ($22.12 +HST). Graduating PhD students and their supervisors will be invited to register via direct emails from GSPA — watch your inboxes! Please register by October 8.

Note: This event is in addition to the University-wide convocation ceremonies taking place in fall 2025. You still need to register to attend convocation and other graduation events separately. 

• You will be greeted as you enter the front door of Fed Hall (FED); you will go up the ramp to the front entrance of the event venue, where you will find a reception desk for check-in of graduates, guests, and supervisors/co-supervisors.
• A drink ticket will be provided for each attendee upon check-in.
• Graduates will be provided with a gift.
• A coat check will be available (please note, GSPA is not responsible for lost/stolen items).
• There will be a complimentary photo booth to commemorate the special occasion.
• Seating is not pre-arranged. You are welcome to sit where you wish.
• Present your ticket at the bar for a beverage of your choice.  Additional drinks can be purchased for a fee. Debit/credit cards are accepted (no cash).
• A buffet dinner with dessert and coffee will be available. Tables will be called up to partake in the buffet.
• After dinner, there will be short speeches from doctoral graduates, as well as senior administrators from the University of Waterloo; the formal speech component will also include a highlight of photos submitted by students, guests, and supervisors.

If you require any additional details, please contact Ashley Ryan, Graduate and Postdoctoral Programming Specialist.
 

No celebration is complete without reminiscing about all the memories you made. What better way to do that than through photos? All graduates and supervisors  are welcome to submit photos of their time at Waterloo. The photos you submit will be shared at the PhD graduate celebration via a slideshow. Submit your photos by October 15.

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.