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Convocation 2023: Moments that Mattered

Your one-stop shop for stories, videos and highlights from Spring 2023 convocation ceremonies.

May 19, 2023

A graphic illustration of McMaster's Edwards Arch and a mortarboard with text that reads, 'Congratulations, McMaster graduates! Convocation - Class of 2023.'

Congratulations, Class of 2023!

A round graphic illustration of McMaster's Edwards Arch and a mortarboard. The graphic reads, 'Convocation at McMaster.'

This is your one-stop shop for stories, videos and highlights from Spring 2023 convocation ceremonies.

Check back on this page as we add more grad stories, including valedictorian and award winner profiles, throughout convocation season.

Details of all convocation ceremonies can be found on the Office of the Registrar’s website.

Share your special moments with us by tagging us on Instagram (@McMasterU) and use the hashtag #MacGrad2023.


Moments that Mattered: Student stories and reflections

A headshot of Toluwalase Dayo-Olaide

Arriving at McMaster as a 16-year-old international student taught Toluwalase Dayo-Olaide some important life lessons the biology student says he will take with him long after he crosses the stage at convocation. Read here


Anu Popoola smiling at the camera

Anu Popoola has worked hard to give back to the community that welcomed her here at McMaster. As the Bachelor of Health Sciences student gets set to graduate, she shares why she’s so excited for future students. Read here


circular headshot of Maneetpal New Health Sciences graduates Maneetpal Badesha (seen here), Chantelle Boyles, Gabrielle Herman and Michael Kalu share their future plans, favourite McMaster memories and words of wisdom for other students. Learn more


A headshot of Ian-Carlo Morales-Nunez When he came to McMaster, Ian-Carlo Morales-Nunez had no idea how the next few years would play out. Turns out, he would blaze a new trail, becoming the very first person at the university to earn the new interdisciplinary minor in Latin American and Latinx Studies. Read his story here.


‘You are our future’ Indigenous grad celebrates students’ journey


The first Indigenous Graduation Celebration since the creation of the Indigenous Studies department was marked by drumming, dancing, laughter, tears and joy. Learn more


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Circle headshots of 2023 valedictorians are Meghan Nemeth, Salsa Sarhan, Akosua Asafu-Adjaye Frimpong, George Fares, Rebecca Di Vincenzo, Taren Ginter, Amal Khan, Elizabeth Wong, Shweta Sapra and Laura Coelho, alongside text that reads Class of 2023 valedictorians Meghan Nemeth, Salsa Sarhan, Akosua Asafu-Adjaye Frimpong, George Fares, Rebecca Di Vincenzo, Taren Ginter, Amal Khan, Elizabeth Wong, Shweta Sapra and Laura Coelho. Alongside a graphic that says Class of 2023 Valedictorians
The 2023 valedictorians are Meghan Nemeth, Salsa Sarhan, Akosua Asafu-Adjaye Frimpong, George Fares, Rebecca Di Vincenzo, Taren Ginter, Amal Khan, Elizabeth Wong, Shweta Sapra and Laura Coelho

Valedictorians weigh in


core memories

Taren Ginter sitting in the doorway of a spacecraft with a NASA logo.

The Gospel Choir. Capstone Expos. Visiting NASA. We asked valedictorians to share some of their most memorable moments from their time at McMaster. Here’s what they said.


Dear first-year me

Meghan Nemeth sitting cross-legged on the floor of an art exhibition, beside an enormous spiky spherical object - a piece of art.

First year can be quite the journey. We asked our valedictorians if they had any words of wisdom that they wish they could tell their first-year selves.

Here’s what they said


Health Sciences valedictorians share words of wisdom

Waist-up posed headshots of Salwa and Taaha with a circular logo that said Convoation at McMaster

Favourite elective? Best memory at Mac? We asked School of Nursing valedictorian Salwa Siddiqui and Faculty of Health Sciences valedictorian Taaha Hassan to share some of their insights. Learn more


What you can do with a McMaster degree

Congratulations, graduates! Wondering what’s next? Provost Susan Tighe talks to two Mac grads about their careers, their successes and the relationships that came about from their time at McMaster.


‘Black Grad to me means recognition’


Four smiling students wearing dresses and Kente stoles stand back to back at the Black Excellence Graduation celebration

With traditional drumming, Kente stoles and an unshakeable sense of community, the Black Excellence Graduation celebration honours Black students’ accomplishments and marks a milestone. Read here.


Meet McMaster’s Spring 2023 honorary degree recipients


A maroon and gold convocation robe on a headless mannequin

From serving as Africa’s first elected female head of state, to making discoveries that transform our understanding of evolution, this year’s McMaster University honorary degree recipients include some of the best and brightest in their respective fields. Read here.


A crowd sits in the bleachers of the Roy Joyce Stadium.

How McMaster brought the community together in 2025 

From the soccer pitch to the polling station, a sombre memorial to a community driven learning hub, initiatives at McMaster brought our communities together in a number of ways this year.
Alain Pamuce, a dark-haired man with glasses in dark blue clothes, plays the violin in the hot cells of the Tandem Accelerator building at McMaster.

In 2025, we met the extraordinary People of McMaster

The People of McMaster series began as a way to celebrate the incredible people whose skills, commitment and diverse perspectives are woven into McMaster's success. Here are some of the extraordinary individuals we’ve met so far.
Cathy Grise stands outside.

Meet Cathy Grisé, the Sherman Centre’s new academic director

Cathy Grisé shares her vision for the centre for digital scholarship, how her background in English and Cultural Studies informs her work, and why digital scholarship matters.