Celebrate every step, every story as UM’s newest graduates cross the stage

UM Convocation is a significant milestone on each Bison’s journey. From first lectures to final exams, their path is leading to this: crossing the stage after years of hard work to receive their parchment in front of friends, family and fellow students. Join the celebration honouring the class of 2025’s achievements and cheer them on as they move forward to shape Manitoba and the World.

Marking the moment

During Spring Convocation from June 4 to 6, 2025, the Fort Garry campus will have an atmosphere of pride and excitement! Find key information you need to join the festivities on the Convocation home page:

• View the ceremony schedules, link to the live streams and explore the Convocation program for each ceremony.
• Learn what time to show up, where to park and details about Convocation accessibility. 
• Explore Convocation traditions, like the meaning of the coloured stoles and hoods worn by the graduates and the significance of the Indigenous motifs on the robes worn by the Chancellor and President.

For more detailed information that will help Convocation day go smoothly:

• Graduates are encouraged to view the Convocation day schedule and read our 10 Tips for an unforgettable Convocation.
• Anyone driving to campus will find the latest construction update for road closures and alternate routes helpful as Construction season is in full swing on and around the Fort Garry campus. 

Celebrating every story

One of the best parts of the Convocation celebration is recognizing and honouring student achievement. It’s also a time for students to reflect— on what they’ve learned, what has ignited their passions and where they want to go from here. Here are some of their stories:

• The highest standing- Meet the Spring 2025 Governor General medal winners: Graduating from any program is an incredible accomplishment. Meet six students who did so at the top of their class. They have been awarded Governor General’s Academic Medals for outstanding achievement at their level of study.
• Full circle moment for grads attending Annual Traditional Graduation Pow Wow: Elora, a member of Norway House Cree Nation and a linguistics major, shares how she’s using her education to revitalize Indigenous languages. Lauren, of Sabe Clan, is a Red River Michif Health Studies graduate interested in creating more equitable health systems and spaces for gender-diverse communities. And Dane, Peguis First Nation band, shares how UM has helped shape his educational journey and what it means to his community. 
• Manitoba’s newest dentists, dental hygienists and pharmacists graduate: Farah Cheah was attracted to dental hygiene because of its focus on prevention and education. Catherine He was a dental hygienist before entering dentistry. And Scott Thomas was inspired to pursue pharmacy because a pharmacist once went “above and beyond”  to help his mother when she ran out of medication.

Read more 2025 Spring Convocation stories

Recognizing those who inspire

Along with celebrating student achievement, Convocation is a time for the university to recognize honorary degree recipients who have made an impact. We also celebrate teaching excellence and outstanding contributions to the development and governance of the university.

At the Spring 2025 ceremonies, honorary degrees will be bestowed on:

• Sister Lesley Sacouman, a compassionate educator, community builder and faith leader who has dedicated her life to creating sanctuaries for Winnipeg’s marginalized communities. (May 15 morning ceremony)
• Rosanna Deerchild, a Cree storyteller, journalist, poet, playwright and radio host whose voice has transformed the Canadian media and literary landscape. (June 4 afternoon ceremony)
• Dr. Catherine (Kate) Bowler, a raised-in-Winnipeg historian and New York Times bestselling author who is known for her profound contributions to public understanding of faith, resilience and imperfection. (June 6 morning ceremony)
• Dr. Greg Selinger, a former social worker, politician and Premier of Manitoba whose decades-long commitment to social justice and linguistic equality has had a lasting impact on Manitoba. (June 16 afternoon ceremony, Université de Saint-Boniface) 

Read more about these four extraordinary Canadians

Two faculty members, Dr. Wan Wang (Psychology) and Dr. Jennifer Watt (Education) are receiving the Olive Beatrice Stanton Award for Excellence in Teaching. Laurel Hyde received the Peter D. Curry Chancellor’s Award at a ceremony on May 15.

Learn more about the award winners in the Convocation program.

Welcoming a new Chancellor

Dave Angus will be installed as the University of Manitoba’s 15th Chancellor at the Convocation ceremony on Wednesday, June 4 at 9 a.m. Get to know him by reading The Next Chancellor, a feature story in UM Today: The Magazine.

UM Bisons are at the centre of it all, making a difference here in Manitoba and around the world. 3058 degrees are being awarded at Spring Convocation 2025, bringing the total number of UM graduates to 4200 so far this year. Many of these new alumni will stay in Manitoba, supplying high-demand skills to the labour market and contributing to UM’s $7.3 billion economic impact on our community.

Teri Stevens