From selfie smiles to doting dogs: Moments to remember from #UofTGrad19

By David Lee, Geoffrey Vendeville, Lisa Lightbourn and Nicholas Iwanyshyn

Balloons with the words "YAY!" and "Congrats Grads" catch a shaft of sunlight above a crowd outside Convocation Hall.

A cluster of celebratory balloons floats above the crowd in front of U of T's Convocation Hall (photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

It was another spring convocation for the books as University of Toronto students said goodbye to their textbooks and accepted their degrees in Convocation Hall.

U of T photographers captured the excitement at the 32 ceremonies this month. See if you can spot yourself, your friends or family below:

In the middle of a line of graduates in academic robes, a little girl walks holding one student's hand. — *(photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)*

A little girl's pink dress stands out among the black robes and greenery on the downtown Toronto campus.

Smiling women hold up their phones as students in academic robes walk by. — *(photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)*

With looks of pride on their faces, attendees take out their phones to record a convocation procession on front campus.

A line of students in academic robes walk across a sunlight garden. — *(photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)*

Graduates from U of T’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education walk across the Sir Daniel Wilson Residence’s quad on their way to Convocation Hall on June 11.

Six young men in academic robes smile as they line up behind a friend holding up a phone. — *(photo by Geoffrey Vendeville)*

The sunlight co-operated with this group of graduates posing for a selfie on June 11, the morning of Innis College and Trinity College students' convocations.

Noura Al-Jizawi, in academic robes, stretches out her arms and smiles, in front of University College. — *(photo by Lisa Lightbourn)*

Syrian activist Noura Al-Jizawi (MGA 2019), a one-time leader of the uprising against the regime of Bashar al-Assad, came to U of T through the Scholars at Risk program, which provides bursaries to students with refugee status. On June 7, she graduated with a Master of Global Affairs from the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy. She celebrated her convocation with her daughter Naya, who was born during her studies and is known affectionately as the “MGA baby” by Al-Jizawi's classmates.

Gowned students in a line lean sideways and make happy faces. — *(Photo by Liz Do/Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering)*

Engineering graduates strike a pose mid-procession to Convocation Hall.

In Convocation Hall, a man holds up an tablet with the audience showing on screen. — *(photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)*

Is there a more parental gesture than taking a photo with an iPad?

A small fuzzy dog trots at the heels of two robed people walking between guide ropes. — *(photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)*

Through every lecture, presentation and exam, Emily Wright's service dog Kailey has been by her side during her time at U of T's Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. So it was only fitting that Kailey accompanied Wright on the day she accepted her Master of Teaching degree.

A smiling man and woman in academic robes extend their pinky fingers, which are wearing plain iron rings. — *(photo courtesy of Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering)*

Some of U of T's newest engineering graduates show off the iron rings around their pinkies. The ring has been bestowed on Canadian engineering graduates since 1922. It serves as a symbol of pride in the profession and a reminder to uphold its highest standards.

A woman wearing academic robes makes an excited, wide-eyed face as she takes a selfie. — *(photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)*

A graduate of the Faculty of Medicine is all smiles at her convocation on June 3.

Four laughing women graduates hoist up a male graduate on Front Campus. — *(photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)*

New medical doctors pose for a stylish group photo in front of University College.

Balloon or thought bubble?

Graduates toss their hoods high in the air, with University College in the background.

(photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

Hats off – and hoods – to this year's graduates.

Elspeth Arbow, wearing gown, hood and sunglasses, makes finger guns on Front Campus. — *(photo by Lisa Lightbourn)*

Last year, Elspeth Arbow (BA 2019 INNIS) won a student leadership award for her involvement on campus and dedication to her studies – all despite having to undergo a double lung transplant for the second time in her life. The cinema studies student, who has cystic fibrosis, recovered from the operation to complete her studies, travel through Europe and land a coveted internship at the Toronto International Film Festival.

A young man in hood and gown smiles as a woman hugs him. — *(photo by Tyler Irving/Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering)*

There were hugs galore outside Convocation Hall as new graduates celebrated with family and friends.

Seen from the back, six graduates in robes and gowns put their arms around each other for a picture. — *(photo by Lisa Lightbourn)*

Convocation marks the end of a chapter in students' lives, but not their friendships.