Congratulations Spring 2024 McMaster graduates!

This is your one-stop shop for stories, videos and highlights from Spring 2024 convocation ceremonies and celebration events.

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 #MacGrad2024.

Spring 2024 Convocation: What you need to know

The hard work, accomplishments and resilience of our Spring 2024 graduates will be celebrated at Faculty ceremonies and graduation celebration events taking place throughout May and June. Learn more. 

Meet the honorary degree recipients of Spring 2024

Philanthropists, scholars, innovators and trailblazers: This year’s honorary degree recipients offer inspiration for a new generation of McMaster graduates. Learn more

A guide to McMaster University Convocation traditions

Since its founding in 1887, thousands of McMaster University students have celebrated and been celebrated at convocation ceremonies. Many official, and unofficial traditions have grown from these celebrations. Here are a few of them.

‘We are here. We lead. We excel’ — Welcome to Black Grad 2024

The third annual Black Excellence graduation celebration was bigger and more vibrant than ever and gave students a joyful and emotional opportunity to reflect on where they’re coming from and where they’re going.

‘You continue to make your ancestors proud:’ Indigenous Graduation Celebration photo highlights

This year’s Indigenous Graduation Celebration was a testament to not only the students’ determination and accomplishments, but the deep bonds and enduring relationships they’ve forged in their time here at Mac. Learn more.

McMaster Latin American/Latinx community makes history with first graduation and celebration ceremony

The joyous ceremony served as a celebration for community members who’ve recently earned degrees and awards, and faculty for their demonstrated research excellence.

Celebrating our graduates

Follow along on Instagram @McMasterU as we share the stories of our students and celebrate their achievements!

Graduating Iraqi refugee’s best day at Mac was a life-changing conversation

 The path to Convocation was not an easy one for Masarra Al Dakka — full of what she calls “hoops and loops.”

A refugee at age 15, she had to battle poverty, bureaucracy and language barriers in order to finish high school, and eventually her degree.

The Faculty of Science graduate shares her journey, and the one conversation she had at McMaster that she says changed her life. Learn more.

McMaster graduate well on her way to realizing childhood dreams

As she gets set to graduate, Difei (Fay) Zheng has some advice for other students: “Be yourself and explore.” The Biology and Pharmacology Co-op program student took that lesson to heart during her five years at McMaster.

Learn more about how her time at Mac helped Zheng realize some of the dreams she had as a child growing up in Shanghai, China.

McMaster graduate credits connections for transformative undergraduate journey

Starting university online during the pandemic, Malikca Lawrence was craving community. Here’s how the connections she set out to build ultimately led her to an unexpected place. Learn more.

‘You don’t have to do it in the same way as anyone else’

Danielle Ledden, cognitive science of language graduand and Governor General’s medal winner reflects on her time at Mac ahead of convocation.

Graduating co-op student spent year in Nova Scotia working on leading edge of renewable battery science

Before she leaves McMaster, Breanna Pinto wants to pay tribute to all the community members who showed her warmth or helped her during her undergraduate journey.

‘I feel relieved, but it’s all a bit bittersweet’

After six years of juggling school and work, Connor Woods reflects on his journey through Mac and the people who helped him get through it all.

BTech graduate’s journey of persistence and legacy

Brian Osei-Boateng calls it his ‘training montage era’ — he was two years into his program when he knew he had to kick it into high gear academically if he wanted to graduate on time.  

He accomplished his goal, but the Bachelor of Technology Program learned some key lessons in patience and persistence along the way. Learn more.

McMaster graduate on juggling academics with being a frontline care worker during the pandemic

Starting university is hard. Starting university in the midst of a global pandemic while working in a long-term care home is incredibly hard.

But Michelle Jamieson did it, and even went on to start her own business while completing her degree. Learn more.

Meet our valedictorians

Q&A: Armaan Kotadia – Faculty of Health Sciences valedictorian

Q&A: Christopher Maclean – Faculty of Humanities and Arts & Science Program valedictorian

Q&A: Sheridan Fong – Faculty of Engineering valedictorian 

Q&A: Olukemi Odujinrin – Faculty of Engineering valedictorian 

Q&A: Chloe Valentine – Faculty of Social Sciences valedictorian 

Q&A: Alyssa Georgescu – Faculty of Science valedictorian 

Q&A: Srishti Sharma – Faculty of Science valedictorian

Q&A: Elise Shupe – Faculty of Science valedictorian 

Q&A: Avneet Kaur Bhasin – DeGroote School of Business valedictorian 

Q&A: Marcus Marchese – DeGroote School of Business valedictorian