Graduation is a pivotal event, whatever the circumstances may be-and while we know there's no replacement for crossing the stage, McGill University will mark this once-in-a lifetime occasion by celebrating all of our graduates' accomplishments. That's why McGill will be hosting 10 virtual ceremonies, one for each Faculty, on a rolling basis over June 18th and 19th, 2020. During the ceremonies in this exceptional year, the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, and Mr. François Legault, Premier of Quebec, will also be offering their own congratulations, virtually, to the Class of 2020.
"This will be a unique opportunity for our graduates to celebrate and share this moment virtually with family and friends around the globe," says Principal Suzanne Fortier. "We always expect bumps and hurdles in any journey, but our graduates have had to face one of the biggest health crises the world has ever seen. They have risen to the challenges of COVID-19 with the same strength and resilience that brought them here today."
Medical doctor and Super Bowl champ to deliver Convocation address
Taking its cue from the in-person ceremony, each Faculty ceremony will feature the graduates' names and degrees and will signify the virtual moment when the graduates would be crossing the stage. Chancellor Michael Meighen and Principal Fortier will each deliver an address and the Provost, Christopher Manfredi, will confer the degrees. As well, the Dean of each Faculty will have a message.
McGill graduate Dr. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (MDCM'18) will deliver the Convocation address. Dr. Duvernay-Tardif has had a busy 2020, becoming the first medical doctor to win a Super Bowl championship, before returning home and volunteering to work in a long-term care facility on Montreal's South Shore.
Virtual ceremony videos available after premiere for those in different time zones
Each faculty video will premiere at Convocation and will remain available for viewing afterwards to accommodate students and their family and friends in different time zones and those who are otherwise unable to watch the videos at their release.
Virtual Ceremonies on the Virtual Convocation Hub:
https://myalumni.mcgill.ca/virtual-convocation
About McGill University
Founded in Montreal, Quebec, in 1821, McGill University is Canada's top ranked medical doctoral university. McGill is consistently ranked as one of the top universities, both nationally and internationally. It is a world-renowned institution of higher learning with research activities spanning two campuses, 11 faculties, 13 professional schools, 300 programs of study and over 40,000 students, including more than 10,200 graduate students. McGill attracts students from over 150 countries around the world, its 12,800 international students making up 31% of the student body. Over half of McGill students claim a first language other than English, including approximately 19% of our students who say French is their mother tongue.
