Cape Breton University to Celebrate Fall 2023 Convocation Ceremony

Cape Breton University will celebrate the success of more than 300 fall graduates on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at 1:00pm at Centre 200 in downtown Sydney.

“We are honoured to be celebrating this milestone for these hard-working and deserving students from around the world,” says President and Vice-Chancellor, David C. Dingwall.

The graduating class, made up of students from 20 different programs, will receive their degrees, diplomas and certificates from President and Vice-Chancellor, David C. Dingwall. As always, students were given the option of requesting their parchments in a variety of languages, including French, Gaelic and Mi’kmaq.

Helen Opitz of Wolfville, Nova Scotia, will serve as valedictorian as she graduates with a Bachelor of Science, Nursing. “CBU is a great place to grow as a person and professional,” she says. “If you’re someone that wants to join a diverse campus community with many opportunities to get involved and take on leadership, CBU is the place to be!”

In addition to each class of graduates who cross the stage, Cape Breton University has been awarding honorary degrees since 1989, and during that time, has welcomed people from around the world in numerous sectors into the Alumni family. This year, CBU will confer another honorary doctorate on an individual from Cape Breton who has made a significant impact on the Island.

Associate Chief Justice, Lawrence O’Neil, will receive a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, for his dedication to serving his community. He is a national leader in judicial outreach, having demonstrated the value and need for judges to learn more about the communities they serve.

“Associate Chief Justice O’Neil is an exemplary and well-respected individual who has dedicated his career to the field of law and has worked tirelessly on initiatives and agreements that have changed the Nova Scotia and Canadian judicial system,” says President Dingwall. “He is credited with demonstrating that judicial outreach is both necessary and a judicial responsibility. I am proud to welcome him into the CBU honorary degree family.”

All members of the community are invited to Centre 200 to celebrate the graduating class and tickets are not required. The ceremony will also be livestreamed at cbu.ca/convocation