I am now able to officially call myself a graduate student. Until I shook Marc Garneau's hand (Marc being Carleton University's chancellor) , I could only be called a "graduand." The timing couldn't be better, really, as the class schedule for grad school courses has just been released.

On June 12th at 9:30 a.m., the first ceremony of Carleton University's 130th Convocation began. After the P.h.D. and Masters degrees were awarded, I was second in line to receive my degree. The official degree I earned is this:

Bachelor of Computer Science
Highest Honours
Software and Computing
Minor in Mathematics
Co-operative Education

Later in the ceremony, I also received a Senate Medal for Outstanding Academic Achievement. Something around 150 graduating students out of three or four thousand received this honour.

The reception that followed had fruit smoothies and cupcakes decorated with grad hats.

My parents with me in Alumni Park:


My grandparents with me at the reception: