SFU celebrates spring convocation this week

Simon Fraser University students ready to graduate this spring will celebrate the completion of their degrees during ceremonies from June 7-10 at Simon Fraser University’s Burnaby campus.

SFU returned to in-person convocation ceremonies last fall, and in May, held a special convocation event on campus to recognize those who participated in virtual ceremonies due to the pandemic. 

This spring, nearly 5,000 students are eligible to graduate. The convocation ceremonies will start at 9:45 am and 2:30 pm on each day, beginning with graduands participating in the colorful and traditional SFU Pipe Band-led procession down the steps into Convocation Mall. 

The ceremonies will also see honorary degrees bestowed on seven distinguished individuals – beginning on Tuesday, June 7 (9:45 am) with former SFU president Andrew Petter, for his lifetime of service to the province and leadership in academia, law and politics. See more on recipients here. 

Honorary degrees will also be conferred on:

• Humanitarian Dr. James Chi Ming Pau, June 7 (2:30 pm)
• Author/publisher Alan Twigg, June 8 (9:45 am)
• Conservationists/photographers Christina Mittermeier and Paul Nicklen, June 9 (9:45 am)
• Health care leader and former BC deputy health minister Dr. Penny Ballem, June 9 (2:30 pm) 
• Heritage consultant and B.C. transportation historian Robert Turner, June 10 (2:30 pm)

Ceremonies will recognize graduands in the following faculties:

Arts and Social Sciences, June 7 (both ceremonies), June 8 (9:45 am)
Business, June 8 (2:30 pm)
Applied Sciences, June 9 (2:30 pm)
Science, June 9 (9:45 am)
Health Sciences, June 9 (2:30 pm)
Communication, Arts & Technology, June 10 (9:45 am)
Education, June 10 (2:30 pm)
Environment, June 10 (2:30 pm)

Media are welcome to attend. Please contact SFU’s Communications & Marketing office to arrange parking and accreditation.                         

• Ceremonies are about 1 ½ hours in length and begin with speeches by Chancellor Tamara Vrooman and SFU President Joy Johnson. The honorary degree is then conferred (about 20 minutes into the ceremony) followed by the recipient’s speech. After a class valedictorian address, the formal procession of graduands across the stage follows.  

CONTACT 

MELISSA SHAW, SFU Communications & Marketing 
236.880.3297 | melissa_shaw@sfu.ca  

Simon Fraser University
Communications & Marketing |  SFU Media Experts Directory
778.782.3210 

ABOUT SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

As Canada’s engaged university, SFU works with communities, organizations and partners to create, share and embrace knowledge that improves life and generates real change. We deliver a world-class education with lifelong value that shapes change-makers, visionaries and problem-solvers. We connect research and innovation to entrepreneurship and industry to deliver sustainable, relevant solutions to today’s problems. With campuses in British Columbia’s three largest cities—Vancouver, Burnaby and Surrey—SFU has eight faculties that deliver 193 undergraduate degree programs and 144 graduate degree programs to more than 37,000 students. The university now boasts more than 170,000 alumni residing in 145+ countries.