Graduates from the Fall Class of 2025 crossed the stage on November 13 and 14 to the tremendous applause from family and supporters, celebrating the dedication and effort put in during their studies at Saint Mary’s.
Among the hundreds of undergraduate and master’s students were five PhD graduates who joined the university’s highest rank of academic achievement, along with the first two graduates from the Sobey School of Business Executive Doctorate in Business Administration (EDBA) program.
See a full list of graduates and award winners in the convocation program.
Alan Abraham Jr., Chair of the Board of Governors and Chancellor Dr. Michael Durland assist Dr. Michael Khan in donning his ceremonial robes during the Presidential installation ceremony
Welcoming our new President
Dr. Michael Khan was installed as Saint Mary’s University’s 35th President and Vice-Chancellor in a special ceremony during convocation. Having joined Saint Mary’s in July, this was his first convocation ceremony as President.
Dr. Khan was joined on stage by colleagues from universities across Canada and received messages of support from around the world on an online message board.
In his speech, he said, “At Saint Mary’s, we are about providing opportunity. Opportunity to those who have ambitions and want to pursue their dreams, but also opportunity to those who may not realize what they’re capable of, or those who may have barriers to overcome, those whom others may have doubted. Our purpose is to enable you to pursue your passion, your talent, your purpose - not that of which someone else wishes for you.”
Watch the video here: Presidential Installation.
Inspiring valedictorians
KJ Conyers-Steede addresses convocation
Lipika Kharbanda joined by Alumni Association President Bafana Mashingaidze, Dr. Khan and Dr. Durland
Two valedictorians shared insightful remarks and reflections on their time at Saint Mary’s.
Kjeld Conyers-Steede addressed his fellow graduates from the Sobey School of Business by saying, “We are not a collection of individual achievements here today. We are a network of relationships that has pushed each other further than if we did it alone.”
Lipika Kharbanda represented undergraduate students in the Faculty of Science. Reflecting on an experience with a supportive professor, she said, “I carried with me her lesson that resilience is not built in isolation, but by the people who care enough to stand by us. And that’s exactly what Saint Mary’s does for each and every one of us.”
Watch their speeches and the full convocation ceremony recordings here: Video & Graduation Program Archive
Faculty excellence
Dr. Michael Khan and Dr. Diane Crocker
Dr. Diane Crocker was recognized with the President’s Award for Excellence in Research. The Criminology Professor is a national leader in criminology and restorative justice research.
Since joining Saint Mary’s in 2000, she has held increasingly senior academic roles, including Associate Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (2013-2018), Chair of the Department of Criminology (2019-2024), and currently Associate Dean of Arts, Curriculum and Student Affairs.
Read more about Dr. Crocker’s important community work and research.
Related:
President’s Award for Excellence in Research: Dr. Diane Crocker
New grads - check out all of the services, perks and opportunities available to SMU alumni: smu.ca/alumni