The academic year has reached its finish line, and for Queen’s students completing their programs, the moment they’ve been working toward is finally here. This spring, about 5,600 graduates from all seven faculties will cross the stage at convocation and receive their degrees. Ceremonies take place May 21-22 at Grant Hall and June 22-26 at the Slush Puppie Place in downtown Kingston.

“Each year, the Rector, Chancellor, and I congratulate the graduates as they cross the stage, ready to shape the future in meaningful ways at home and around the world,” says Patrick Deane, Principal and Vice-Chancellor. “Before they embark on what comes next, convocation offers a special opportunity for our community to come together and recognize their achievements. We’re also pleased to welcome our honorary degree recipients, who will share their insights with the graduating class.”
Queen’s will award three honorary degrees this spring. Recipients are being recognized for work in law, engineering, and storytelling. The Queen’s community selected them for their outstanding achievements and their contributions to local, national, and global communities.

This year’s honorary degree recipients are:

Mary Jane Mossman – May 21, 2:30 p.m. 

Mary Jane Mossman is a distinguished legal scholar, educator, and author. She is a professor emerita at Osgoode Hall Law School and a graduate of Queen’s University, McGill University, and the University of London. Her scholarship on gender and the law has shaped legal thought and jurisprudence in Canada and internationally, with work spanning family law, economic dependency, property, and access to justice. She has advanced equity in the legal system and helped expand community legal aid clinics across Ontario, improving access to justice for marginalized communities. Her work has influenced generations of feminist lawyers and academics, and her legacy includes the establishment of Osgoode’s Institute for Feminist Legal Studies. Widely recognized for her impact, she has received numerous honours for her leadership, teaching, and service to the legal profession.

Monique Aubry Frize – June 23, 10 a.m. 

Monique Frize is an eminent biomedical engineer, researcher, and educator, a distinguished research professor at Carleton University, and professor emerita at the University of Ottawa. She is a leading authority in clinical decision support systems and medical imaging, has authored eight books and more than 250 publications, and pioneered a 1987 innovation in electrosurgical technology that improves patient safety. She has held senior leadership roles in hospital engineering and international organizations, advancing medical device management in Canada and abroad, and has been a dedicated mentor to more than 85 graduate students. She is an Officer of the Order of Canada and a fellow of multiple national and international academies. Her work has transformed clinical practice and improved lives worldwide.

David A. Robertson – June 24, 3 p.m. 

David Robertson is a renowned author, publisher, podcaster, and social advocate. He is a member of the Norway House Cree Nation and a graduate of the University of Winnipeg. As editorial director of Swift Water Books and Tundra Book Group, he has championed Indigenous storytelling and authorship, amplifying diverse voices in publishing. He is the author of more than 35 books, including the 7 Generations graphic novel series and the Reckoner young adult novels. His work brings Indigenous histories, experiences, and contemporary challenges to life with clarity, empathy, and accessibility. His storytelling explores complex themes such as mental health, resilience, and identity, fostering deeper understanding between Indigenous and settler readers. He is an award-winning writer and recipient of multiple national honours, recognized for his commitment to storytelling as a tool for connection, education, and social change.

Learn more about convocation ceremonies on the Office of the University Registrar website.