Convocation

In photos: Celebrating Western’s 2025 graduates

Jun 17, 2025

More than 8,000 Western graduates marked a milestone in their academic journeys during spring convocation. Western’s convocation celebrations turned downtown London, Ont. purple and proud as students and their families poured into the city centre June 9 to 13. Read about a few of the incredible graduates from the Class of 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_W-7pSML5vA After nine ceremonies, Western’s 325th convocation has come to an end. From crossing the stage at Canada Life Place to iconic photos on UC Hill, Western News celebrates the season in photos:

With 33,000 guests in attendance at Canada Life Place, more than 6,700 Western students crossed the stage during spring convocation. (Christopher Kindratsky/Western Communications)

Posters, signage and other “purple and proud” fun was present on Dundas Place during convocation week. (Christopher Kindratsky/Western Communications)

A graduate checks in, virtually, from their convocation ceremony. (Christopher Kindratsky/Western Communications)

Graduates and their families, young and old, celebrated downtown and on campus. (Christopher Kindratsky/Western Communications)

Western’s key landmarks were popular photo backdrops for graduates who came to campus before and after their ceremonies. (Christopher Kindratsky/Western Communications)

Academic and senior leaders were among those in the convocation processional. (L to R) Joan Finegan, director of convocation, Marisa Modeski, Western’s registrar and Christy Bressette, associate vice-president of Indigenous Initiatives.

Graduates and their loved ones celebrated their accomplishments with photos on UC Hill before and after their ceremonies. Free transportation was available between campus and downtown on London Transit Commission routes. (Christopher Kindratsky/Western Communications)

Engineering graduate Maria Paula Garcia Beltran, BESc’25, poses on campus after her convocation. (Christopher Kindratsky/Western Communications)

Graduate waves in a sea of fellow graduates at convocation 2025

A Western graduate waves during a convocation ceremony. (Christopher Kindratsky/Western Communications)

Krebs: Defend the Enlightenment values

Oct 22, 2015

Remember and adhere to the values of the Enlightenment while striving to better the world around you, said John Krebs, former Principal of Jesus College at the University of Oxford.

Cowin installed as university’s 22nd Chancellor

Oct 22, 2015

Nobody ever expected a former wrestler, defensive tackle and door-to-door tree and shrub salesman to be installed one day as a university chancellor. But Jack Cowin, BA’64, LLD’00, accomplished just that a half century after his own Convocation .

Big screen helps capture small moments

Oct 22, 2015

The sight of family and friends angling for a better view of their loved ones crossing the Alumni Hall stage has been as common as gowns and gonfalons at Western’s Convocation. Now, guests may have to strain their necks no more. A large-screen video display board made...

Sugiyama: Remember, it’s not always about you

Jun 17, 2015

“Hubris and dogma are the enemies of professionalism. Avoid both, if possible,” Constance Sugiyama, president of ConMark Strategy Inc., told graduates at the Wednesday, June 17, afternoon session of Western’s 305th Convocation.

Erola: Technology is no substitute for policy

Jun 17, 2015

Canadian women have proven throughout this country’s history that real change, even revolutionary change, isn’t as simple as clicking a button, said Judy Erola, former politician and broadcaster.

Jackson: Canada needs you to be your best

Jun 16, 2015

“With your degrees now finished, and you mostly unencumbered by life’s responsibilities, this is a rare opportunity for you to stretch yourself,” Roger Jackson, Olympic gold medalist and Canadian sport advocate, told graduates at the Tuesday, June 16, afternoon session of Western’s 305th Convocation.

Cornhill: Have the courage to act on conviction

Jun 16, 2015

“Your generation has a responsibility to respect the land; my generation has a responsibility to help you,” David Cornhill, founding member of AltaGas, who has served as its chairman and CEO since its inception in 1994, told graduates at the Tuesday, June 16, morning session of Western’s 305th Convocation.

Sen: Education can change the world

Jun 15, 2015

“What distinguishes us from animals is our ability to reason – about our own lives and the lives of others,” Amartya Sen, winner of the 1998 Nobel Prize in Economics, told graduates at the Monday, June 15, afternoon session of Western’s 305th Convocation.

Scenes from Western’s 305th Convocation

Jun 15, 2015

Enjoy these scenes from Western’s 305th Convocation, June 2015, through the cameras of Western News photographers Paul Mayne, Adela Talbot and Jason Winders. [gallery type="slideshow" size="full"...

Lassonde: Give of your time, talent and treasure

Jun 12, 2015

“We all want to be different, but we crave the same things – a roof, food, safety and freedom of expression,” Pierre Lassonde, esteemed engineer, financier and entrepreneur, told graduates at the Friday, June 12, afternoon session of Western’s 305th Convocation.

Patterson: Don’t be betrayed by destinations

Jun 12, 2015

“What we accept as a given does not apply everywhere in the world,” Bonnie Patterson, president and CEO of the Council of Ontario Universities (COU), told graduates at the Friday, June 12, morning session of Western’s 305th Convocation.

Birgeneau: Remember those not as privileged

Jun 11, 2015

“None of you can ever consider yourselves under privileged now that you have the great fortune of being a university graduate,” Robert Birgeneau, an internationally distinguished physicist, told graduates at the Thursday, June 11 afternoon session of Western’s 305th Convocation.