Wednesday, June 11, 2025 | 10:00 a.m.
Faculties & programs
This convocation ceremony includes undergraduate and graduate students from:
- Science
- Biochemistry and Microbiology
- Biology (combined programs only)
- Chemistry
- Earth and Ocean Sciences
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Physics and Astronomy
- Graduate Studies
Order of proceedings
- Pre-ceremony music
- Performer: Aleksei Pankratov, School of Music
- Processional
- Drummers: Mikey Thomas, Xʷsepsəm and Brianne Cooper-Dick, Tsartlip First Nation
- Welcome
- Councillor Alicia Thomas, Xʷsepsəm
- Opening remarks
- Chancellor Marion Buller
- Conferring of Honorary Doctor of Science (DSc)
- Chris Barnes
- Orator
- Dr. John Dower, School of Earth and Ocean Sciences
- Conferring of degrees
- Performer: Jesse Benjamin Walker, School of Music
- Student awards
- Congratulations from the Alumni Association
- UVic Alumni Association Representative
- Closing remarks
- Chancellor Marion Buller
- O Canada
- Performer: Clayton Butler, School of Music
Honorary degree recipient
Christopher Barnes, Honorary Doctor of Science (DSc)
Christopher Barnes is an Emeritus professor in the School of Earth and Ocean Sciences (SEOS), renowned for his influential contributions to the fields of marine sciences, geology and paleontology.
A leader in both scientific thought and institution building, he was instrumental in developing SEOS at the University of Victoria, serving as its director from 1992 to 2002. Under his guidance, it evolved from a single office into one of the university’s leading research units with a world-class reputation.
Barnes also led the creation of NEPTUNE Canada, helping secure $140 million to build the world’s first regional cabled ocean observatory network, offshore BC. The project now operates under Ocean Networks Canada, which is a UVic initiative advancing ocean science on a global scale with 160 staff.
Over his distinguished career, Barnes has published extensively and received numerous accolades including the Logan Medal and appointment to the Order of Canada. He has held key leadership positions such as a Director-General of the Geological Survey of Canada, President of the Academy of Science of the Royal Society of Canada and Group Chair at NSERC.
His legacy is one of bold innovation and transformative change with lasting contributions to both UVic and the broader scientific community.