Thousands of graduating engineering students cheered, laughed and shed a few tears as they crossed the stage at convocation to receive their engineering degrees from the University of Waterloo.
With family, friends and the Waterloo Engineering community in attendance, 1,408 undergraduate and 562 graduate students celebrated their academic successes across four convocation ceremonies.
“Each of you are coming to the end of an educational journey,”said Dr. Mary Wells, dean of Waterloo Engineering. that is unique to you and will begin the next journey – one that must likewise be tailored to suit you and rooted in who you are,” said Dean Mary Wells from the podium. “The mental resilience, versatility and academic ability you’ve honed at Waterloo will allow you to go forward confidently, knowing you can handle whatever comes next.”
Waterloo’s president and vice-chancellor Dr. Vivek Goel reinforced that our new graduates are “among the future leaders and change-makers who can help address the world’s largest crises and build a better future for humanity and our planet.”
Students
were
also
addressed
by
their
chosen
class
valedictorians,
including
Maya
Bishop
(BASc’
23,
computing
engineering),
Matthew
John
Linehan
(BASc’
23,
environmental
engineering),
Yonael
Debebe
(BASC
’23,
systems
design
engineering)
and
Toluwalope
Wright
(BASC
’23,
mechanical
engineering),
who
roused
the
room
with
inspiration
and
pride.
Rounding
up
the
awards
and
distinctions
Convocation
marked
the
recognition
of
several
remarkable
members
of
the
Waterloo
Engineering
community
who
received
the
following
prestigious
awards
and
distinctions.
Honorary doctorate recipients
Distinguished honorary degree recipients presented keynote addresses at the following convocation ceremonies:
- Dr. Cristina Amon - mechanical and mechatronics engineering
- Dr. Rola Dagher - electrical and computer engineering
- Dr. John Buzcott - civil and environmental engineering and management engineering
Go
to
Honorary
doctorates
bring
excellence
and
inspiration
for
the
full
story.
Governor General’s Gold Medal
Dr. Muhammed Shehryar Khan (PhD ’23, BASc ’18, mechanical and mechatronics engineering) is one of three Waterloo recipients of the Governor General’s Gold Medal. Presented each year at the spring convocation ceremony, this award is reserved for master’s and PhD students who have completed innovative research projects and whose work demonstrates exceptional promise.
Go
to
Outstanding
student
researchers
recognized
with
Governor
General’s
Gold
Medal
for
the
full
story.
Pearl Sullivan Global Emerging Leaders Award
Andrea Chakma (BASc ’23, mechanical engineering) is the 2023 Pearl Sullivan Emerging Global Leaders Award winner. This award celebrates an outstanding undergraduate student who has impacted the Waterloo Engineering community through their committed leadership, extracurricular involvement, volunteerism and academic excellence.
Named in honour and remembrance of Pearl Sullivan, former dean of Waterloo Engineering, this award provides catalyst funding for recent engineering alumni to continue their commitment to excellence, leadership and change for the common good as they embark on their future careers.
Go
to
2023
recipient
and
finalists
for
a
complete
Pearl
Sullivan
Global
Emerging
Leaders
Award
honorands
list.
Ontario Professional Engineers Foundation for Education Gold Medal
Kiersten
Ainsley
Overton
(BASc’
23,
electrical engineering)
received
the
Engineers
Foundation’s
Gold
Medal
for
receiving
the
highest
academic
standing
in
her
graduating
class.
Druxbury/Fisher Awards for Leadership
Kathrine Von
Friedl
(BASc’
23,
mechanical engineering)
and
Julia
Baribeau
(BASc’
23,
mechatronics engineering)
were
awarded
the
Roy
Druxbury
and
John
Fisher
Awards
for
Leadership,
respectively,
by
the
Sanford
Fleming
Foundation.
They
were
selected
for
their
outstanding
leadership
throughout
their
undergraduate
academic
careers.
Alumni Gold Medal
Selected for his outstanding academic record and positive contributions to student life, Charles Yu (BASc’ 23, management engineering) is the 2023 alumni gold medal recipient for the Faculty of Engineering.