More than 1,800 Waterloo Engineering students crossed the convocation stage this June, completing degrees that represent years of rigorous study, co-op experience and hard-won growth. Across four ceremonies held June 19 and 20, 1,473 undergraduate, 324 master's and 77 PhD graduates were recognized.
University leaders, honorary degree recipients and student valedictorians shared in the celebration, offering reflections on what the class has accomplished and what lies ahead.
“Completing an engineering or architecture degree at Waterloo is no small feat,” said Dr. Mary Wells, Dean of Engineering. “You’ve built the judgement to know when to trust and when to question; when to recognize unintended consequences; and how to balance efficiency with safety and public trust.”
Dr. Vivek Goel, President and Vice-Chancellor, also addressed Waterloo Engineering graduates directly with an inspiring call to action. "Graduates: now is your opportunity to bring your unconventional thinking and innovations to the world," he said. "Global challenges are intersecting in complex ways. You are among the future leaders and change-makers who will help tackle these challenges."
Students were also addressed by their chosen class valedictorians, including Katherine Bendall (BASc '26, mechatronics engineering), Sebastien Paradis (BASc '26, electrical engineering), Mattie Kerrigan (BASc '26, biomedical engineering) and Isabelle Hersak (BASc '26, architectural engineering), who delivered heartfelt addresses to their classmates.
Celebrating student excellence
Convocation marked the recognition of several remarkable members of the Waterloo Engineering community who received the following prestigious awards and distinctions. The following student awards recognize excellence in academics, research and leadership at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Governor General's Academic Gold Medal
Presented to the graduate with the highest standing in a doctoral program.
Jing Du (PhD '26, systems design engineering)
University Finalist for the Governor General's Gold Medal (Master's)
Honours a graduating Master's student whose research demonstrates exceptional innovation and promise.
Sarah Mae Sparkes (MASc '26, biomedical engineering)
The University of Waterloo President's Award of Excellence
Awarded to the graduate with the highest standing in an undergraduate degree program.
Aung Khant Min (BASc '26, computer engineering)
The University of Waterloo Alumni Gold Medal
Awarded to a graduate in recognition of outstanding academic achievement.
Matthew Charles Gordon (BASc '26, mechanical engineering)
Ontario Professional Engineers Foundation for Education Gold Medal
Presented to the graduate with the highest academic standing in their graduating class.
Aung Khant Min (BASc '26, computer engineering)
Pearl Sullivan Emerging Global Leaders Award
Recognizes an outstanding graduate who has impacted the Waterloo Engineering community through leadership, extracurricular involvement, volunteerism and academic excellence.
Jarett Cameron Dewbury (BASc '26, biomedical engineering)
Roy Duxbury Leadership Award
Presented to a graduate who has demonstrated exceptional leadership throughout their undergraduate academic career.
Samantha Nicole Grieco (BASc '26, computer engineering)
The John Fisher Award for Leadership
Presented to a graduate who has demonstrated exceptional leadership throughout their undergraduate academic career.
Kathryn Elizabeth Percy-Robb (BASc '26, management engineering)
The Albert Sherwood Barber Medal
Presented to a graduate with the most outstanding performance in the co-operative education program.
Mark Ositashvili (BASc '26, nanotechnology engineering)
The Sandford Fleming Foundation Medals
Presented to graduates for co-operative work term proficiency.
Mustafa Emre Basaran (BSE '26), Madelyne Rosetta Cnossen (BASc '26, geological engineering), Rachel Joy Copreros (BASc '26, systems design engineering), Emily Susan Forster (BASc '26, environmental engineering), Callum Robert Gillies (BASc '26, management engineering), Alexander Charles Hopkins (BASc '26, architectural engineering), John Zacarias Jekel (BASc '26, computer engineering), Nicholas Adam Li (BASc '26, civil engineering), Mu Feng Liu (BASc '26, mechanical engineering), Aidan James Peirce (BASc '26, chemical engineering), Rose Shi (BASc '26, chemical engineering), Adhiraj Singh (BASc '26, computer engineering), Shivain Vij (BASc '26, mechatronics engineering), Sophia Shuoyang Xie (BASc '26, biomedical engineering), Rosebella Anthea Lyn Yeh (BASc '26, mechanical engineering), Eddy Zhang (BASc '26, mechatronics engineering), Anthony Zhelnakov (BASc '26, electrical engineering)
Presented to graduates for academic excellence.
Anson Kay Yuen Cheng (BASc '26, mechatronics engineering), Chloe Jenelle Craig (BASc '26, nanotechnology engineering), Carter Michael Demars (BASc '26, mechatronics engineering), Mikhaella Sasha Dias (BASc '26, chemical engineering), Joshua Ryan Eivin (BASc '26, environmental engineering), Samuel Quinn Gazzola (BASc '26, civil engineering), Matthew Charles Gordon (BASc '26, mechanical engineering), Ella Mary Kennedy (BASc '26, management engineering), India Charles Lawrence (BASc '26, mechanical engineering), Vanessa Valerie Mac (BASc '26, biomedical engineering), Aung Khant Min (BASc '26, computer engineering), Farzan Mirshekari (BASc '26, electrical engineering), Het Pradeepkumar Patel (BASc '26, systems design engineering), Jason Singh Sidhu (BASc '26, computer engineering), Ryan Ka Po Tang (BASc '26, geological engineering), Joshua James Vaux (BASc '26, chemical engineering), Haoyu Weng (BSE '26), Ashley Wong (BASc '26, architectural engineering)
Honorary degrees
Four distinguished leaders were recognized with honorary degrees for their exceptional contributions to engineering, innovation and public service.
- Allan Cain
- Michael Stork
- Paul Desmarais, Jr. and Hélène Desmarais
- Roger Martin
Go to Waterloo honours exceptional leaders at Spring 2026 convocation for the full story.