Media Advisory – 2026 Spring Convocation at UM

Press Release

May 26, 2026

More than 3,000 students will graduate June 1-5, June 8

The University of Manitoba will mark its 147th Spring Convocation with thousands expected to receive their degrees and diplomas at Fort Garry campus, June 1-5, and at Université de Saint-Boniface June 8, 2026.

3,068 people will graduate during Spring Convocation 2026. This brings the total number of graduates from the Bannatyne and Fort Garry campuses to 5,555 this year (including 1,086 who graduated in February 2026 and 1,401 in October 2025).  Many of these new alumni will stay in Manitoba, supplying high-demand skills to the labour market and contributing to UM’s $7.3 billion economic impact on our community.

Each year, the University of Manitoba bestows honorary degrees upon individuals. It is the highest UM honour  conferred to an individual for distinguished achievement in scholarship, the arts, or public service. The Spring 2026 honorary degree recipients will be honoured during convocation ceremonies listed below.

• Barbara Bruce – June 3 at 9:30 a.m.
  Flies High Thunderbird and Truth Talker, Wolf Clan. Doctor of Laws, honoris causa
• Guy Gavriel Kay – June 3 at 3:00 p.m.
  B.A. (Manitoba); LL.B. (Toronto). Doctor of Letters, honoris causa
• Marcia Kran – June 5 at 9:30 a.m.
  B.A.(Manitoba); LL.B. (Manitoba); Dip. Social Science (Stockholm); MA (Toronto). Doctor of Laws honoris causa (Posthumously conferred)
• Steven H. Kroft – Tuesday, June 2 at 9:30 a.m
  B.A. (Manitoba), LL.B. (British Columbia). Doctor of Laws, honoris causa

Convocation b-roll, please credit UM
2024 (external link)
2025  (external link)

Interview opportunity with President Benarroch

President Michael Benarroch is available for interviews to discuss convocation and the value of a degree in today’s job market.

Availability:
June 1, 1–2 p.m.
June 5, 1–1:45 p.m.

If you would like to interview President Benarroch, requests need to made in advance to UM Media Relations.
mediarelations@umanitoba.ca

Times outside these windows of availability cannot be accommodated due to convocation commitments.

ILR5