[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/GeneralSciencesbldg.jpg” caption=”The Faculty of Science will see over 950 students graduate today.”]Though they may not be as recognizable without their white lab coats, more than 950 science graduands will receive their degrees today at convocation ceremonies being held at Hamilton Place's Great Hall in downtown Hamilton.

Graduands in biochemistry, biology, Earth and environmental sciences, geoscience, kinesiology, molecular biology, neural computation, psychology and science will receive their degrees at the morning convocation, while those in all other programs will graduate at the afternoon session.

Today's graduates will be sent off with the inspirational words of valedictorians Darren de SA and Stephanie McKean. Both students were very fond of their time at McMaster.

“Knowing that each day is a gift, my approach to life has always been to be a better person today than I was yesterday,” said de SA. “McMaster University has facilitated this approach in every sense, not only providing me with a quality education, but also the opportunities to form lasting friendships, contribute to research programs, participate in intramurals and student societies, and serve my native Hamilton community.”

Honorary degrees are also being conferred upon Herbert Jenkins, professor emeritus of psychology at McMaster, Peter Nicholson, the first president and CEO of the Council of Canadian Academies, and Sir Martin Rees, president of the Royal Society.

McMaster extends congratulations to all of its 2009 graduates and wishes them the best of luck in their future endeavors.