Canadian music icon Jim Cuddy performs surprise duet at U of S convocation

WATCH: Spring convocation at the University of Saskatchewan went off with an unexpected surprise — Blue Rodeo's Jim Cuddy performed a duet with the university president.

Nearly 4,000 University of Saskatchewan (U of S) students will receive their diplomas throughout the week, and those who convocated on Tuesday were treated to a musical surprise.

Alongside honorary doctor of letters recipient and Blue Rodeo frontman, Jim Cuddy, the president took part in a musical performance for the graduates.

“I think it will be rather unusual for them to see the president get up and try to strum the guitar. So, I think it’ll be kind of fun. It’ll be a little historic moment at the University of Saskatchewan,” said Peter Stoicheff, U of S president.

Stoicheff and Cuddy have been friends for many years, and while the musician has done countless performances throughout his career, this was something different.

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“That makes it a bonus. I can’t imagine just doing it cold, like, just having somebody say, come on over and do it ... the whole thing is very special,” Cuddy said.

Cuddy is one of three recipients to receive this title thanks to the U of S.

President Stoicheff described the honorary degree as the highest honour the U of S can bestow.

“Bestowing it on Jim Cuddy, who’s had a fantastic career with Blue Rodeo and a fantastic career with his own band and is one of Canada’s greatest songwriters of all time, was a real privilege,” Stoicheff said.

While Cuddy initially graduated from Queens University, he shared that Saskatoon has a special place in his heart.

“It’s a huge honor .... I think it’s a beautiful university. It’s funny that I probably came here for 20 years before I even saw the university. And when I first saw the university, I was shocked at how beautiful it was,” Cuddy said.

“It’s sort of fun for me to just hear the names of the people embarking on the rest of their lives, having truly no idea what they’re about to encounter,” Cuddy said.

The musician, who some may remember for his show-stopping ascending falsetto in the 1987 Blue Rodeo single “Try,” says that performing in Saskatoon over the years has always been something he looks forward to.

“I think that there’s a shared feeling about Saskatoon among especially musicians that come through here because it’s very cold ... but it’s very sunny,” Cuddy said.

It’s a special day for many families. But for husband and wife, Debasish Chakroborti and Sristy Sumana Nath, the day is extra special. The duo both received their PhDs on Tuesday.

“It feels great to be graduated, but when you are doing it with your family members, like my wife, my Sristy, we’re doing it together, so I’m feeling really great,” Chakroborti said.

After originally joining the university as an international student in 2017, Nath says she is proud to be setting an example for her children.

“Education is very important and we’re both graduating together. And [my daughter] she’s looking at how we’re both graduating together and she’s very excited and wanting to do more studies and contribute here in Canada, and the world,” Nath said.