Celebrating spring 2023 PhD graduates

On Monday, June 5, 2023, Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs, in partnership with the Office of the Vice-President, Academic and Provost, and the faculties, hosted a dinner reception for spring 2023 doctoral graduates, their guests, and supervisors. 

The event included remarks (in person and virtual) from:

• Vivek Goel, President and Vice-Chancellor (video message)
• James Rush, Vice President Academic and Provost, University of Waterloo
• Jeff Casello, Associate Vice-President, Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs
• Jackie Zehr, PhD Graduand, Department of Kinesiology, Recipient of University 2023 PhD Governor General’s Gold Medal
• Shehryar Khan, PhD Graduand, Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, Recipient of University 2023 PhD Governor General’s Gold Medal
• Jeremy Wang, PhD Graduand, Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering; speaking to the group about his entrepreneurial journey (most recently: Ribbit) 

Held at Federation Hall, the event celebrated the remarkable successes of our doctoral graduates, who through their research, teaching, and community building, have made tremendous contributions to the University of Waterloo.

The celebration included a cocktail hour, buffet dinner, speeches, and a photo slide show/video submitted by the doctoral students and their supervisors. A highlight of the evening was a photo booth where guests could take graduation-themed photos with fun props and a printed photo takeaway for each participant.

• Celebration photos/videos – as submitted by students, supervisors, and guests (YouTube)
• Congratulatory video Vivek Goel, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Waterloo (YouTube)

Another highlight of the evening was hearing from three PhD graduands, including two Governor General’s Gold Medal winners:

“As I reflect on my own journey, I am reminded that many memorable experiences often involved and were made possible by the close network of mentors, collaborators, lab mates, and friends that I developed during my time at Waterloo – I did not get here alone. This network undoubtedly made an impressionable impact on the researcher I am today and the scientist I strive to be”. - Jackie Zehr, Department of Kinesiology

“As we look forward to the next chapter in our lives, I encourage you to stay curious, stay connected, and stay passionate about your work. Seek out opportunities to learn from others, and never be afraid to ask for help. Remember that the pursuit of knowledge is a lifelong journey, and that we all have something valuable and meaningful to contribute to this world”.   - Shehryar Khan, Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering

PhD graduate, and co-founder of a University of Waterloo Velocity startup graduate, Ribbit. Ribbit uses pilotless flight technology to create a more robust supply chain by deploying small autonomous airplanes that fly cargo shipments into remote communities. Jeremy sharing his insights:

“Despite all the highs and lows throughout our degrees, I can only hope that today we feel the same optimism and excitement that we felt when we started our degrees, for today is the end of the beginning. Whether we are continuing in academia or choosing a different path, I think the physicist Richard Feynman put it best when he said, ‘Fall in love with some activity, and do it! Nobody ever figures out what life is all about, and it doesn't matter. Explore the world. Nearly everything is really interesting if you go into it deeply enough’.” – Jeremy Wang, Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering

The audience heard from James Rush, Vice-President, Academic & Provost, (as pictured above) wishing the PhD graduates all the very best:

“Congratulations to our PhD students who are graduating this spring and our two PhD Governor General’s Gold Medal recipients! Your PhD is not only a demonstration of your intellectual strength, but it also speaks to your persistence, your ability to meet challenges with confidence, and your tenacity to discover ingenious solutions to complex questions. I look forward to hearing about your future accomplishments as Waterloo alumni.”

The first PhD (virtual) Celebration took place in June 2020, in a virtual environment, providing PhD graduates a celebration during a time when the University did not hold a convocation ceremony due to the ongoing pandemic. Upon reflection of the evolution of this celebration, and what it represents to the University of Waterloo, Jeff Casello, Associate Vice-President, Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA) had this to say to the audience:

“The University has long acknowledged the exceptional accomplishments of our PhD graduates.  We are so thrilled to complement our convocation events with this unique, and richly deserved celebration for our PhD graduates, and those who supported them through their journey”.

In photo, left to right: Jeff, Jackie, Jeremy, Shehryar, Jim

All PhD graduates in attendance received a commemorative PhD mug, and everyone in attendance had a wonderful time with George and Dana at the Zattu Photo Booth; a small sampling below: