CBU Spring 2024 Convocation

From May 15-17, Cape Breton University celebrated the success of more than 2600 spring graduates across five ceremonies at Centre 200 in downtown Sydney. 

“We are honoured to be celebrating this milestone in the lives of more than 2600 hard-working and deserving students from around the world in the same year Cape Breton University celebrates its 50th Anniversary,” says President and Vice-Chancellor, David C. Dingwall. “As they commence the next chapter of their lives, going on to become members of the CBU Alumni family, we know they will achieve great things and wish them the very best of luck.” 

Graduates from the Master of Education, Diploma in Education, Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Health Sciences (Public Health), Bachelor of Emergency Management, Diploma in Emergency Management, Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Occupational Health & Safety Management, Bachelor of Science Nursing, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Engineering Technology, Bachelor of Nautical Science, Diploma in Engineering and Diploma in Engineering Technology participated in ceremony one at 10:00am on Wednesday. A ceremony for graduates from the Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Health Care Management followed at 2:00pm.

Graduates from the Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Business Management participated in ceremony three at 10:00am on Thursday. Ceremony four followed at 2:00pm with graduates from the Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Business Analytics and Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Supply Chain Management. 

Graduates from the Master of Business Administration, Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Arts Community Studies, Bachelor of Arts and Science in Environment, Diploma in Government Management, Diploma in Public Administration and Management and the CBU Inclusive Program participated in ceremony five at 10:00am on Friday. 

Small receptions for graduates and their loved ones were held on campus following each of the five ceremonies. 

The graduating class, made up of students from more than 25 different programs, received their degrees, diplomas and certificates from President and Vice-Chancellor, David C. Dingwall, after they were conferred by CBU’s Chancellor, Annette Verschuren. As always, students were given the option of requesting their parchments in a variety of languages, including French, Gaelic and Mi’kmaq. 

Rause-Lynn McDonald of Wickham, New Brunswick, served as one of the valedictorians this Spring alongside Guneet Kaur Raina, Mehedi Hasan Robin, Mandeep Kaur, Jacob MacDonald and Michael Lafford. “The Bachelor of Health Sciences (Public Health) program at CBU has a perfect balance between theoretical foundations and practical applications. This balance has equipped me with a diverse skill set necessary to navigate the complexities of the public health field,” says Rause-Lynn. “I am extremely grateful for the supportive network of faculty and students who have guided my professional growth and given me crucial connections within the field of public health.”

Cape Breton University also confered honorary doctorates on four individuals who have made a significant impact in their field and whose commitment to their community will leave a positive impact for generations to come. CBU confered honorary degrees on Mr. Robert Sampson, founding partner of Sampson McPhee and former CBU Board of Governors Chair;  Ms. Lori Kennedy, philanthropist and co-owner of Louisbourg Seafoods; Ms. Moria MacLeod,  author and former policy analyst; and Mr. Warren Gordon, beloved Cape Breton photographer, over the course of three days during CBU’s largest convocation ceremonies in its history.

This year’s ceremonies featured performances of O Canada and Rise Again by Cape Breton artists, Stewart and Lucy MacNeil. All members of the community were invited to Centre 200 to celebrate the graduating class and tickets were not required. The ceremony was also live streamed at cbu.ca/convocation.