Trent University will celebrate more than 3,100 graduates – the largest graduating class in University history – during 2024 convocation ceremonies across both its Peterborough and Durham Greater Toronto Area campuses from June 4 to 14.  

A record 2,664 undergraduates and the largest class of graduate students - 504 Ph.D., masters, and diploma graduates - will be celebrated over 13 ceremonies. Peterborough ceremonies will take place June 4-7 and June 10-11 on the Symons Campus. Trent University Durham GTA convocation ceremonies will take place on Friday, June 14 at the Tribute Communities Centre in Oshawa, celebrating the accomplishments of 765 graduates - the largest graduating class in Trent Durham history.  

Additional highlights of this year’s ceremonies in Peterborough include the first cohort of graduates from the Master of Science in Bioenvironmental Monitoring & Assessment, and Master of Science in Nursing, Professional Practice Leadership programs. Trent Durham will celebrate the first graduates of the Financial Analytics, Business Communications, and Business Administration Post-Graduate certificates. 

A record number of convocation ambassador volunteers will support ceremonies: 195 staff, students, faculty, retirees, and alumni across both campuses will be on site to direct students as well as greet and assist guests. 

Friends, families, and grads can watch the ceremonies live at trentu.ca/live, follow @Trent_Alumni and @TrentUniversity on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, and share their own comments and photos during the events using the hashtag #TrentAlumni.  

Honorary Degree Recipients

During this year’s ceremonies in Peterborough and Durham, the University will bestow honorary degrees upon four social changemakers, recognized for their extraordinary contributions to society.  

In Peterborough, honorary degrees will be bestowed upon:  

• Dr. Audrey Kobayashi (June 5 – 2:00 p.m. ceremony) Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, globally recognized scholar of feminist geography, and human rights advocate  

• Harvey McCue (Waubegeshig) C.M. (June 6 – 2:00 p.m. ceremony) member of the Order of Canada, celebrated scholar, co-founder of Trent’s Indigenous Studies department, and expert on Indigenous self-governments 

Renowned international children’s rights activist and member of the Order of Ontario Cheryl Perera will be presented with an honorary degree at the Trent University Durham GTA convocation ceremony on Friday, June 14 at 2:00 p.m. 
 
Dr. Leo Groarke will deliver the convocation address during the afternoon ceremony on Monday, June 10 in Peterborough and the morning ceremony on Friday, June 14 in Durham. These will be his last convocation ceremonies as Trent’s eighth president and vice-chancellor. When his second term as president concludes at the end of June 2024, he will leave a lasting legacy of accomplishments that have advanced Trent’s academic, administrative, and community profile. 

Dr. Stephen Stohn ‘66, chancellor of Trent University, will also address graduates at convocation. 

Student Awards

During the 2024 Peterborough convocation ceremonies, Trent will honour several of its most accomplished students with special awards:  

• The Governor General’s Academic Medal to reward scholastic merit was established in 1873 by the Earl of Dufferin, who served as Governor General of Canada from 1872 to 1878. The Silver Medal, presented to the undergraduate student with the highest academic standing, is awarded to Tovan Lew, B.Sc. Honours Biomedical Science. The Gold Medal for highest academic standing in graduate programs is awarded to Amanda Orr, Ph.D. Environmental & Life Sciences. 

• The President's Medal, established in 2009 to reward academic excellence and achievement at the graduate studies level, will be awarded to three graduate students who achieved academic excellence: Helen Knibb, Ph.D. Canadian Studies; Andrew Hoyt, M.A. History; and Justin Lockhart, M.Sc. Environmental & Life Sciences. 

• The Symons Medal, established in 1972 in honour of Trent’s founding president T.H.B. Symons, will be awarded to four undergraduate students in the honours program who achieve high overall standing on graduation: Khubaib Khan, B.Sc. Honours Biology; Maggie Chalk, B.Sc. Honours Biomedical Science; Shannon Harrison, B.Sc. Honours Mathematics; and Alexis Laplante, B.Sc. Honours Anthropology. 

• The Bagnani Medal, established in 1986 to honour the late founding faculty member Professor Gilbert Bagnani, will be awarded to two students in the general program who achieve high overall standing on graduation: Claire Johnston, B.Sc. Biology; and Carolyn King, B.A. Indigenous Studies. 

Convocation Schedule

Full schedules for the Convocation ceremonies in Peterborough are as follows: 

Tuesday, June 4, 2024 – 2:00 p.m. ceremony: 
Degrees will be conferred for Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees, including bridging program with George Brown College. 

Wednesday, June 5, 2024 – 10:00 a.m. ceremony: 
Degrees will be conferred for the Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts Honours, Bachelor of Science Honours, Bachelor of Arts General in Economics, and joint degrees with Business Administration. 

Wednesday, June 5, 2024 – 2:00 p.m. ceremony: 
Degrees will be conferred for the Bachelor of Environmental Science/Studies, Bachelor of Arts Honours, Bachelor of Science Honours, Bachelor of Arts General, and Bachelor of Science General in Anthropology, Archaeology, Ecological Restoration, Environmental & Resource Science/Studies, Environmental Chemistry, Environmental Geoscience, Gender & Social Justice, Geography, Indigenous Environmental Studies, International Development Studies, International Political Economy, Political Studies, Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems, Water Sciences, as well as diplomas in Circumpolar Studies and Indigenous Environmental Studies & Science.  

Dr. Audrey Kobayashi will receive an honorary doctorate of laws.  

Thursday, June 6, 2024 – 10:00 a.m. ceremony: 

Degrees will be conferred for Bachelor of Arts Honours, Bachelor of Science Honours, Bachelor of Arts General, and Bachelor of Science General in Psychology and Sociology. 

Thursday, June 6, 2024 – 2:00 p.m. ceremony: 
Degrees will be conferred for Bachelor of Education, Indigenous Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Arts Honours, Bachelor of Arts General in Indigenous Studies, and diplomas in Foundations of Indigenous Learning.  

Harvey McCue C.M. (Waubegeshig) will receive an honorary doctorate of laws. 

Friday, June 7, 2024 – 10:00 a.m. ceremony: 

Degrees will be conferred for Bachelor of Arts Honours, Bachelor of Science Honours, and Bachelor of Science General in Biology, Biomedical Science, and Conservation Biology. 

Friday, June 7, 2024 – 2:00 p.m. ceremony: 

Degrees will be conferred for Bachelor of Science in Forensic Biology, Bachelor of Science in Forensic Chemistry, Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science, Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, Bachelor of Arts Honours, Bachelor of Science Honours, and joint degrees with Forensics. 

Monday, June 10, 2024 – 10:00 a.m. ceremony: 

Degrees will be conferred for Bachelor of Arts Honours, Bachelor of Science Honours, Bachelor of Arts General, and Bachelor of Science General in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Chemical Physics, Computer Science, Computer Science & Physics, Computing Systems, Financial Science, Information Systems, Mathematical Physics, Mathematical Economics, Mathematics, Physics

Monday, June 10, 2024 – 2:00 p.m. ceremony: 

Degrees will be conferred for the Trent/Swansea Law Dual Degree Program, Bachelor of Arts & Science Honours, Bachelor of Arts Honours, Bachelor of Arts & Science General, and Bachelor of Arts General Ancient Greek & Roman Studies, Canadian Studies, Cultural Studies, English Literature, French Studies, History, Media Studies, Philosophy, and Canadian Studies Diploma, as well as Postgraduate Certificates. 

Tuesday, June 11, 2024 – 10:00 a.m. ceremony: 

Degrees will be conferred for Master of Art, Master of Bioenvironmental Monitoring & Assessment, Master of Education, Master of Science in Forensic Science, Master of Instrumental Chemical Analysis, and Master of Science. Graduate diplomas will also be presented.  

Tuesday, June 11, 2024 – 10:00 a.m. ceremony: 

Degrees will be conferred for Master of Art, Master of Bioenvironmental Monitoring & Assessment, Master of Education, Master of Science in Forensic Science, Master of Instrumental Chemical Analysis, and Master of Science. Graduate diplomas will also be presented.  

Visit trentu.ca/convocation for detailed information on the 2024 convocation ceremonies, bios of honorary degree recipients, further details for students and guests, and maps.