Convocation Program
The Class of 2026
Indigenous graduates will receive a unique stole with symbolic meaning. One side of the stole depicts the Dish with One Spoon Treaty Wampum Belt between the Haudenosaunee and Anishnaabe. This land is part of the Dish with One Spoon Treaty between the Haudenosaunee and Anishnaabe peoples and symbolizes the agreement to share, protect our resources and not to engage in conflict.
On the other side of the stole is the Office of Indigenous Initiatives logo. Based on the Haudenosaunee creation story, our logo reminds us of how the first seeds of life on Earth were planted on the back of a turtle. The inner segments of the dome represent the Anishnaabe (Ojibway) Seven Grandfather Teachings: love, respect, wisdom, bravery, truth, honesty and humility. The golden rays of the sun symbolize enlightenment, learning and new beginnings. The Métis beaded purple flower represents the gifts of plant life from the Skyworld, which encourage and sustain life. The entire design rests on the waters of life.
The mace of Wilfrid Laurier University was officially presented by the Euler family at the 1963 fall convocation in memory of The Honourable W.D. Euler, former senator of Canada and the first chancellor of the university. It weighs 16 pounds and was manufactured by the firm of Henry Birks Limited, Montreal.
The ferrule near the base of the shaft contains ivory from a walrus tusk obtained from Coral Harbour, Northwest Territories. The ten-sided shaft, representing the ten provinces, merges into the head of the mace which bears the ten provincial crests. The wood used at the point where the shaft meets the head of the mace is elm taken from the bannister post of Conrad Hall, the original seminary building. Above this are four crests relating to the history of the institution: a crest of Waterloo County, the Luther Coat of Arms, the crest of the Waterloo Lutheran Seminary and the coat of arms of the University of Western Ontario.
The head of the mace is made of maple and bears the Federal Coat of Arms, above which is the monogram of Queen Elizabeth II, during whose reign the university's charter was granted. On the reverse side is the crest of Wilfrid Laurier University and the monogram of King George V, during whose reign the original charter was granted. The top of the mace is a crown, mounted with jewels, symbolizing the authority of the State.
Dr. Fred Binding, a faculty member in the Department of Psychology for 32 years retired in July 2003. He had served as the university marshal for ten years. Sadly, Dr. Binding died in August 2003. In memory of his contribution to convocation ceremonies, artist Rex Lingwood was commissioned to create a marshal's baton.
In the baton, the artist incorporates a range of visual references that relate to the graduation ceremony, both directly and symbolically. In keeping with the nature of the ceremony, some of the forms are traditionally associated with ceremonial staffs, and the baton's design echoes the elaborate theatricality of the event and the flair brought to the occasion by Dr. Fred Binding. The ends may be read as abstracted figure forms wrapped in the academic gown and hood, with details symbolizing the life stage of the graduates. The Greek alphabet is inset into the internal side surface in the shaft of the baton. This is a reference to the interests of Dr. Fred Binding. It also acknowledges that language is at the core of university education and that the Greek language has particular importance in western culture.
The commission of the baton was made possible with the generous support of the Department of Psychology and Wilfrid Laurier's University Retirees' Association.
The academic degree is a title conferred on an individual by a university as recognition of the completion of a course of study or for a certain attainment. In Canada, the three stages in higher education are represented by the degrees of bachelor, master, and doctor. Wilfrid Laurier University is given the authority to grant degrees by the Wilfrid Laurier University Act.
The bachelor’s degree is awarded at the honours, without honours or general specified, or the general level. An honours degree program emphasizes the acquisition of a broad and deep knowledge of the student’s chosen honours subject. The four-year bachelor's without honours or general is awarded to students who have met all honours course requirements and includes their specialization. A general degree program emphasizes a balance between an in-depth understanding of the student’s major subject and a knowledge and appreciation of other fields.
The master’s degree is the second degree in higher education. Students complete concentrated and specialized work at a more advanced level in an academic discipline or professional area. Most course work is within the field of specialization and a research project or thesis is normally required. Some master’s degrees provide professional qualifications.
The doctoral degree is the highest academic degree granted by a university. Candidates for the degree spend several years in the advanced study of a specialized field of knowledge. The capstone of the degree is the doctoral dissertation, an extended work based upon independent research. The dissertation demonstrates the candidate’s command of both the subject matter and the exacting methods of scholarship, and makes an original contribution to knowledge.
Honorary Doctor of Laws | Presented on June 9, 10 a.m., Brantford
Born in Thorne, Yorkshire, England in 1923, Sir George Herbert Beardshaw is a British-born “Home Child,” one of 100,000 migrant children sent to Canada between 1869 and 1939. He emigrated in the early 1930s and was placed on a farm near Lindsay, Ont. to work as an agricultural labourer. During the Second World War, he enlisted in the Canadian Army with the Queen’s Own Rifles, landed on Juno Beach after D-Day, fought in Normandy and was later captured in The Netherlands. Beardshaw was held as a prisoner of war for 28 days in 1945. After the war, he made his home in London, Ont. Now 102 years old, Beardshaw is recognized as the last surviving British Home Child in Canada and is one of the last surviving veterans of the Queen’s Own Rifles. He was awarded the French Legion d’honneur in 2022 and granted an honorary knighthood for his role in liberating France. Beardshaw has been a passionate advocate for British Home Children and Canadian Armed Forces members his entire adult life.
Honorary Doctor of Laws | Presented on June 15, 9:30 a.m., Waterloo
Longtime broadcaster Dan Shulman, whose career highlights include calling the Blue Jays’ thrilling run to Game 7 of the World Series last year, has returned to Toronto to call another season of Blue Jays baseball. Now with Rogers Sportsnet, Shulman has been a college basketball announcer for more than 30 years in the United States with ESPN, and also called Major League Baseball for ESPN for 25 years, including 12 World Series on ESPN Radio. Shulman began to carve out his reputation as the play-by-play voice of TSN baseball telecasts with Buck Martinez during the 1990s, and has also covered the NHL, NBA and three Olympics. He cut his teeth while studying actuarial science at Western University, calling varsity games with Radio Western. Following a brief period working as an actuary, Shulman’s real passion beckoned.
Honorary Doctor of Laws | Presented on June 16, 9:30 a.m., Waterloo
Ningwakwe (Rainbow Woman) George is Deer Clan Anishinaabe Kwe from Saugeen First Nation #29 (SFN). She has been involved in Indigenous literacy and education for more than 30 years at the local, provincial, national and international levels. George worked in the Ontario provincial government as a community development officer and policy analyst. She has also worked with ArrowMight Canada and as part of a team of Cuban and Canadian educators that developed literacy curriculum for delivery via DVD across Canada. Since moving home to Saugeen First Nation in 2014, George has been the Indigenous mentor and visiting Elder at her former high school, Saugeen District Senior School. She has served as research coordinator for the First Nations Wellness Initiative, a collaboration between SFN and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, since 2018. In addition, George is the SFN coordinator for the Further Education Society of Alberta national project, “Pathways: Creating Opportunities for Indigenous Youth Employment in the Tourism and Government Sectors.”
Honorary Doctor of Laws | Presented on June 17, 9:30 a.m., Waterloo
Trailblazer Diane J. Brisebois is recognized for bolstering Canada’s retail sector, advancing ethical and inclusive business practices, and fostering the development of future leaders across the country. Brisebois led the Retail Council of Canada (RCC) as president and chief executive officer for more than 30 years until her retirement in late 2025 and built a resounding voice for 45,000 retailers across Canada — especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her calm stewardship, collaborative approach, and commitment to evidence-based decision-making helped safeguard both economic stability and community well-being for retailers of all sizes. Brisebois’s support for education, sustainability and equity extends well beyond the boardroom. She is a strong advocate for fair and transparent global supply chains through her work with the Fair Factory Clearinghouse, advancing human dignity and responsible business practices worldwide. Her longstanding contributions to mentorship and education include service on advisory boards for the top retail management programs at Canadian universities. Among her many accolades, Brisebois was named to the Canadian Retail Hall of Fame, receiving the first ever Star Women in Grocery Icon Award in 2025.
Order of Wilfrid Laurier University | Presented on June 18, 9:30 a.m., Waterloo
A member of the Laurier community for 41 years, including as assistant vice-president: student and ancillary services, Dan Dawson has made an impact on generations of students and on the institution. After graduating from Laurier with a bachelor’s degree in Geography and a Business diploma, Dawson became a Laurier employee in 1989 through various roles in the Students’ Union. In 2003, he took the position of director of student services before moving on to the assistant vice-president of student services role in 2010, portfolios that include housing and residence life, food services, conferences and events, printing, the Hawk Shop and the Special Constable Service. Laurier’s Alumni Association will recognize Dawson with a Forever Golden Hawk award on May 28. As Dawson prepares for retirement, Laurier’s residence leadership team has created the Dan Dawson Community and Belonging Award, which will be given annually to a residence student staff member on each campus.
Honorary Doctor of Music | Presented on June 19, 9:30 a.m., Waterloo
From a young girl singing in church in Toronto at 6 years old, Jully Black, the daughter of an inspiring Jamaican immigrant mother, has grown into a visionary, trailblazer, truth-teller and Canadian icon. With a career spanning over 30 years, Black is a multiple JUNO Award-winning, platinum-selling artist, most recently earning a JUNO in 2026. She is also an inductee into Canada’s Walk of Fame and recognized by CBC Music as one of the 25 Greatest Canadian Singers Ever. Beyond music, she is an actress, entrepreneur, motivational speaker and wellness leader. She has collaborated with Nas, Destiny’s Child and Ian Thornley, and has shared the stage with Alicia Keys, Elton John, Céline Dion and Joni Mitchell. A passionate advocate for the Black community, human rights, Indigenous rights, immigrant rights and civil rights, she uses her platform to drive meaningful change. Through The Power of Step and the Jully Black Family Foundation, she empowers others to embrace self-love and growth.
Graduates listed in this program have been certified as completing all degree requirements as of May 26, 2026.
Rashad Murad Ebeid
Faculty of Science
Laynol Eap
Faculty of Liberal Arts
Brooklyn Connie Alexandra Rushton
Faculty of Science
Alison Albright
Lyle S. Hallman Faculty of Social Work
Kimberly L. Crackel
Faculty of Education
Andrea Naomi Crump
Lyle S. Hallman Faculty of Social Work
Tara Monique Lena Downey
Lyle S. Hallman Faculty of Social Work
Kaniz Fatema
Faculty of Science
Shannon Gail Freeman
Lazaridis School of Business and Economics
Jessica A. Houlachan
Lyle S. Hallman Faculty of Social Work
Seerat Kaur
Faculty of Science
Eve Questa Koch Nichol
Lazaridis School of Business and Economics
Angela Kulina
Lazaridis School of Business and Economics
Almas McConnell
Faculty of Education
Steven Timothy Leonard McDermott
Lyle S. Hallman Faculty of Social Work
Rukhsana Haq Merkand
Lazaridis School of Business and Economics
Jeremy Ramos-Foley
Faculty of Arts
Fatemeh Saburruhmonfared
Faculty of Science
Salman Shaheen
Faculty of Science
Joselle Solarino
Faculty of Science
Reina Mercedes Natalie Stewart
Faculty of Education
Alexander Allen Taylor
Faculty of Education
Sarah Nicole Vjestica
Lyle S. Hallman Faculty of Social Work
Kaija Wassermann
Lyle S. Hallman Faculty of Social Work
Caroline Nicole Langdon Williams
Lyle S. Hallman Faculty of Social Work
Natalie Emma Alves
Faculty of Science
Jennifer Mary Bechard
Faculty of Arts
Phillip Edward Carson
Lazaridis School of Business and Economics
Lauren Cook
Faculty of Science
Emily Elizabeth Corturillo
Faculty of Science
Samuel Perry Domzella
Faculty of Music
Lidija Dudas
Faculty of Arts
Joshua Raymond Knute Durham
Lazaridis School of Business and Economics
Rashad Murad Ebeid
Faculty of Science
Ryan Gordon Juen-Ho Lawson
Faculty of Arts
Adeline Trina Leddy
Faculty of Science
Farid Louka
Faculty of Science
Eleanor Susan Victoria Martin
Faculty of Arts
Andrew Johnathan Matlow
Lazaridis School of Business and Economics
Avery Elizabeth Alex Morrison
Faculty of Science
Aleksandar Pejanovic
Lazaridis School of Business and Economics
Jessie Peng
Lazaridis School of Business and Economics
Hardeep Kaur Rana
Faculty of Arts
Christine Nader Rizk
Faculty of Science
Arfan Sivarooban
Faculty of Science
Najiba Soudi
Faculty of Science
Humza Mansoor Syed
Faculty of Science
Amberlee Marie Chorzepa
Faculty of Education
Laynol Eap
Faculty of Liberal Arts
Emma Kathleen George
Faculty of Education
Hannah Fallon Rosalind Robertson
Faculty of Human and Social Sciences
Shawna Marie Sims
Faculty of Education
Abby Maria Swartz
Lyle S. Hallman Faculty of Social Work
Monica Boutros Salama
Faculty of Science
Chantal Marie Bresse
Faculty of Arts
Congratulations on your graduation – you made it! Today, we welcome you to the Wilfrid Laurier University Alumni Association (WLUAA).
You are now a member of a community of more than 137,000 proud graduates of Wilfrid Laurier University and its predecessors.
WLUAA represents all Laurier alumni, including you. We support Laurier with revenue from alumni services, such as group home, auto and life insurance, and an alumni affinity credit card.
WLUAA revenues help to fund alumni programs and events, university initiatives, student groups, and student scholarships.
The association’s mission is to engage and represent a community that supports and enriches our alumni, students, and the university. We share a vision for an inspiring community of engaged alumni.
You are alumni for life — your relationship with Laurier doesn’t end today. Stay connected as a proud grad and learn more at LaurierAlumni.ca.
