Graduate student valedictorian process

The valedictorian will attend the in-person convocation ceremony and deliver an address of no longer than five minutes to fellow graduates, faculty, honoured guests, family, and friends at the ceremony.

Each of the five fall 2025 convocation ceremonies will feature a graduate student valedictorian:

• Friday, October 24 

  • Faculty of Health

  • Faculty of Mathematics

  • Faculty of Science

• Saturday, October 25

  • Faculty of Arts

  • Faculty of Engineering

The Faculties of Environment and Health will have graduate valedictorians in alternating years. In 2025, the graduate valedictorian will be from the Faculty of Health. As such, we will not be accepting applications for graduate valedictorians from the Faculty of Environment for fall 2025 convocation. 

Any costs associated with attending convocation, such as accommodation or travel, are the responsibility of the valedictorian.

Graduate students who completed or will complete their degree between September 1, 2024 - August 31, 2025 are eligible to apply.

• Must be a graduate student of the faculty for which they are applying to be a valedictorian
  • Joint program students can apply to either faculty
• Must graduate at spring 2025 convocation or will graduate at fall 2025 convocation
• Must be able to attend in-person convocation ceremony

Academic excellence (30%)

High academic achievement is required. Academic achievement within graduate-level courses. As demonstrated by past academic results, transcripts, awards, and distinctions. Indicators of academic excellence: 

• Academic record
• Scholarships and awards
• Duration of previous studies
• Type of program and courses pursued
• Course load
• Relative standing (if applicable)

Personal characteristics and interpersonal skills (70%)

As demonstrated by the applicant’s past professional and relevant extracurricular interactions and collaborations. Indicators of personal characteristics and interpersonal skills: 

• Ability or potential to effectively orally communicate and maintain engagement
• Demonstrated capacity to articulate complex concepts clearly and logically in written and oral formats
• Substantive involvement in academic/university life
• Leadership experience
• Volunteer/community outreach experience
• Professional experience
• Project management, including organizing conferences and meetings

1. Interested graduate students complete the Graduate valedictorian application form, including uploading a curriculum vitae (CV) and unofficial transcript.
2. Interested graduate students receive endorsement from three (3) nominators who complete the Valedictorian endorsement form.
   • Endorsers must be members of the University community (students, staff, faculty, or alumni).
   • At least one endorsement needs to be received from a current/former graduate student.
   • If an Associate Dean, Graduate Studies is one of the endorsers, they must declare a conflict of interest in their role as part of their faculty selection committee.

The deadline to apply is June 27, 2025 The deadline to apply has been extended to July 7, 2025.

Each faculty will review their applications in July and August and select their valedictorian.

Applicants can expect to hear back from their faculty regarding the success of their valedictorian application by the end of the spring term.