Celebrating Matriculation Convocation 2025

Posted: August 30, 2025

At Matriculation Convocation 2025, Trinity formally admitted and welcomed our incoming first-year students to the College and invited them to sign the College Register.

At the ceremony, the College also conferred an honorary degree of Doctor of Sacred Letters (honoris causa) upon Trinity alumnus Fen Osler Hampson (see bio below) in recognition of his exceptional scholarship in international relations, distinguished contributions to Canadian foreign policy, dedication to advancing global security, and commitment to addressing critical refugee and migration challenges. Dr. Hampson also delivered an inspirational Convocation address. To the matriculating class, he ended his remarks with: “Be curious. Be bold. Be generous. Be kind. And remember that the friendships and networks you build, the ideas you explore, and the risks you take will shape not just your future, but the future we all share.”

Following the ceremony, the community returned to the College for a celebratory reception. Matriculation Convocation was held on August 25, 2025, the first day of Trinity College Orientation 2025.

Highlights from Matriculation Convocation 2025

Visit Trinity College’s Facebook page to view the full photo album (150+ photos by Horst Herget)

Students gather in the Trinity Quad prior to the procession to Convocation Hall
Students gather in the Trinity Quad prior to the procession to Convocation Hall
Student procession from Trinity College to Convocation Hall
Student procession from Trinity College to Convocation Hall
Student procession from Trinity College to Convocation Hall
About to begin! Matriculation Convocation 2025 in Convocation Hall
About to begin! Matriculation Convocation 2025 in Convocation Hall
Trinity's Humphrys Chaplain The Rev. Paige Souter opens the ceremony and delivers the Land Acknowledgement
Matriculating students sign the Trinity College Register
Matriculating students sign the Trinity College Register
Matriculating students sign the Trinity College Register
Matriculating students sign the Trinity College Register
Matriculating students sign the Trinity College Register
Roaring applause by students during the Matriculation ceremony
Trinity Provost Nicholas Terpstra confers the honorary degree upon Trinity alumnus Fen Osler Hampson
Dr. Fen Osler Hampson delivers the Convocation Address
After the ceremony, students make their way from Convocation Hall back to Trinity College
Making s'mores at the Matriculation Convocation 2025 Reception in the Trinity Quad
The Trinity community celebrates together at the Matriculation Convocation 2025 Reception in the Trinity Quad

Fen Osler Hampson

Fen Osler Hampson is a Professor of International Affairs and Chancellor’s Professor at Carleton University, and President of the World Refugee & Migration Council. A graduate of the University of Toronto, he received his PhD from Harvard University and an MSc (Econ.) degree (with distinction) from the London School of Economics. A Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, he is the author or co-author of 15 books and editor or co-editor of 33 other volumes. His most recent books are The Two Michaels: Innocent Canadian Captives and High Stakes Espionage in the US-China Cyber War, and Grand Corruption: Curbing Kleptocracy Globally.

His major awards include the 2018 Distinguished Peace Scholar Award and the 2022 Distinguished Scholar Award (Canada section) both from the International Studies Association, a research and writing award from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and a Jennings Randolph Peace Fellowship from the United States Institute of Peace.

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