Convocation 2024 Featured Stories

‘Just do it!’: WDW grad Ezrayah Batuma encourages students to maximize their time at U of T and get involved

From logging on to his first class halfway across the world during COVID to being fully engaged on campus, A&S grad Ezrayah Batuma has made the most of his U of T experience and is excited for life’s next challenge.

Batuma — who earned his bachelor of commerce through the Rotman Commerce program as a member of Woodsworth College — wasted no time getting involved when in-person learning started again after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read the full story here.

‘If you don’t give up, you’re only going to succeed’: New graduate Carrie Commanda has travelled a life-changing road to graduation day

Carrie Commanda is a member of Nipissing First Nation in northern Ontario. Growing up, she never believed that university was an option for her: unaware of her own history and ashamed of her culture, she lacked confidence and pride. 

But Commanda’s outlook has since been completely transformed. Last week, after completing a specialist program in Indigenous studies, she graduated as a scholarship-winning member of Woodsworth College. Now, she looks forward to a future in social work, in which she will encourage other Indigenous youth to believe in themselves.

Read the full story here.

Beau Hayward's journey: From spinal cord injury to graduating with gratitude

In the summer of 2018, Beau Hayward dove off the dock of a friend’s cottage in Sudbury and unexpectedly struck the bottom — an accident that changed his life.

He sustained a spinal cord injury which caused him to become an incomplete quadriplegic, which means he still has limited function in his upper body.

A period of profound adjustment followed that involved tirelessly working towards regaining his independence. That included a new mindset to focus on what was truly important and worthy of his time and energy. That, he decided, was studying history and archaeology at U of T.

Read the full story here.

From esthetician to advocate: WDW grad Kavery Bedar’s journey to law school

Kavery Bedar’s convocation this June is the next step in a major career change from esthetician to future lawyer.

Bedar, who went through the Academic Bridging Program at Woodsworth College prior to starting her undergraduate degree, earned her honours bachelor of arts with a history major and double minors in sociology and critical studies in equity and solidarity.

Read the full story here.