Students in the Faculty of Humanities and the Arts & Science program will be conferred degrees today in a ceremony to be held in downtown Hamilton.

The convocation, scheduled for 2:30 p.m. in the Great Hall at Hamilton Place, will also see honorary degrees confererred upon Dr. Cui Xiliang, president of the University of Beijing Language and Culture, and Rick Mercer, comedian and television personality. Both will receive a Doctor of Letters degree and both will address the convocation.

Approximately 4,600 students will receive degrees from McMaster this spring. Honorary degree recipients are recognized for their contributions in such areas as public service, education and scholarship, creative and performing arts, and for their work within the McMaster community.