UPEI Convocation 2025 brings a sense of pride and resilience
The excitement and pride were palpable at the University of Prince Edward Island this past week when over 1,200 members of the Class of 2025 graduated with their undergraduate and graduate degrees.
The Convocation ceremonies took place in the UPEI Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre on May 13 for graduates of the Faculty of Nursing and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (Atlantic Veterinary College; May 14 for the McDougall Faculty of Business and Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering; May 15 for the Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Education, and Faculty of Graduate Studies; and May 16 for the Faculty of Science.
In her address to the graduates, Dr. Wendy Rodgers, UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor, acknowledged that Convocation is the most important and happiest University ceremony. It is a day on which graduates join the UPEI alumni, now numbering over 30,000 in over 85 countries around the world.
Dr. Rodgers congratulated the graduates, saying they should be particularly proud of their achievements and their university.
“One of the most important and biggest ways that UPEI makes the world a better place is through our graduates,” she said. “Our graduates—you—go out into the world with the skills and preparation to personally thrive and to support the thriving of others, in your organizations—in your work, in your leisure, and in your service—building stronger people and communities."
Dr. Rodgers thanked the graduates for choosing UPEI and urged them to stay connected with their alma mater.
Receiving honorary degrees during Convocation Week were Leo Broderick, activist and retired teacher; Wayne Carew, businessman and community leader; Scott Parsons, musician and cultural leader; and the Hon. Antoinette Perry, retired music teacher and former lieutenant governor of PEI.
During the ceremony on May 13, Dr. Larry Hammell, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, was conferred with the title of Professor Emeritus.
The valedictorians were Hannah Squires-Bavis, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Camille Mady, McDougall Faculty of Business; Precious Onogwu, Faculty of Arts; and Emmanuel Okyere, Faculty of Science.
Each of the four valedictorians spoke about the unique challenges that they and their fellow graduates faced and the resilience they showed while obtaining their education. A common theme among the valedictory addresses was that UPEI graduates are problem-solvers, thinkers, and dreamers who have overcome many obstacles and who have the ability to handle whatever comes next. They urged their fellow grads to keep dreaming and to never forget where they started or who they became along the way.
During the May 15 ceremony, valedictorian Precious Ongo, Faculty of Arts, said what most impressed her about the Class of 2025 was the gift of community at UPEI. She used the metaphor of bridge-building to describe the university journey.
“In moments when the bridge seemed like it might collapse—during blackouts, strikes, and storms like Hurricane Fiona—we held it together for each other. I saw students open their doors and their hearts, providing warmth, a place to charge a phone, or just a listening ear. We weren’t just building bridges for ourselves; we were building them together,” she said. “Class of 2025, I urge you, hold on to the things that helped you make it this far: your faith, your community, your curiosity, your skills, your grit. Remember that you have already overcome so much. You have the tools. You’ve already built a bridge that might have seemed impossible. So, walk boldly, walk kindly, and when you can—be the bridge for someone else.”
Among numerous outstanding achievements throughout the week, Dr. Sana Basheer of Pakistan was granted the first-ever PhD to be awarded in the Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering during the Convocation ceremony on May 14.
During the Convocation ceremony for the Faculty of Science on May 16, Dr. Fatima Imtiaz, of Gojra, Pakistan, was awarded the Governor General Medal (Graduate) and the Faculty of Graduate Studies Award of Distinction as well as her doctoral degree. Bachelor of Science graduate Thien Di Do, of Freeland, PEI, was awarded the Governor General’s Medal (Undergraduate) and the Ambrose Lee Graduation prize (Science). Several other major prizes were awarded during each ceremony while a number of senior class awards were granted earlier in the week. Click here to view the complete list of awards.
Congratulations, graduates!
