All ceremonies will be held in the gymnasium and are usually around two to two and a half hours long. You will not be permitted to leave once the ceremony has started so please time washroom breaks, etc. accordingly.

Arrival

Please arrive in the gowning room an hour before your ceremony for registration and gowning.
Upon arrival you will need to sign in and receive your name card.

Gowning

The College lends gowns to graduates for use during the ceremony. You will be required to sign out the gown and liripipe or hood and sign them back in upon return. Please return your regalia to the gowning room within  a half hour after the conclusion of the Convocation Ceremony. Any student not returning his/her regalia will be billed for its replacement.

Marshalling

Graduates will assemble in the hallway outside of the gowning room. Signs will indicate your assigned program area. Please place yourself in alphabetical lines, by program, to form the Processional.

You will be lead into the gym behind the Platform Party and faculty. Please remain standing for the singing of the national anthem.

The program will continue with speeches by the President or Vice President, Board of Governors and the Alumni Association.

Presentation of Certificates and Diplomas

On a signal from the Marshal, the graduands (students are graduands until crossing the stage, becoming a graduate) will proceed, one row at a time, to the stage. As each graduand’s name is read he/she will cross the stage to shake hands with the President / Vice President and representative of the Board of Governors. He/she will then receive an envelope from the Program Dean (officially becoming a graduate). The Marshalls will direct graduates to receive their actual credential off-stage and then be escorted directly back to their seat.

This process will continue until all graduates have been called.
For the enjoyment of everyone, we ask that movement and talking be kept to a minimum during the ceremony to show respect for all names called. Family members and friends are encouraged to come forward and take pictures, but please remind them that there will be no posing for photos (due to time constraints) and to be respectful of others that are trying to see their loved ones cross the stage.

Conclusion

Following the investure, the Recessional will be played and the departure of the Platform Party and graduates will take place with the Platform Party leading, followed by the faculty and then the graduates.

Convocation Reception

All graduates and their guests are cordially invited to a reception following the Convocation Ceremony. Light refreshments will be served. You should arrange to meet your guests in this area.