Graduation is right around the corner for many Humber students.
After having two convocation ceremonies being held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there are many preparations needed for this year’s events.
“We’re looking forward [to] being able to offer that to those who feel comfortable and having them come back [to] celebrate and have a proper convocation,” Emily Milic, Humber’s PR and Communications Manager told Humber News on Wednesday.
Milic said it had been a “disheartening thing” not being able to host in-person convocation events for graduates.
“Certainly, the online options that were provided were to try and mark the occasion as best as we could, given the circumstances, and give people an opportunity to celebrate with others,” she said.
“But we’re looking forward to being able to offer that to those who feel comfortable and having them come back to celebrate and have a proper convocation.”
Rhonda Harrison, Humber’s Chair of Convocation, had similar feelings about being able to have in-person ceremonies again.
“We want to be able to recognize the graduates in a celebratory way,” she told Humber News.
“We’ve done our best obviously with the current circumstances and restrictions, but we definitely prefer the in-person celebration.”
An email sent by the Office of the Registrar this week detailed some important information to students about the in-person ceremonies to come.
- Convocation will be held at the Toronto Congress Centre’s North Building from June 14-June 17.
- There will be morning, afternoon and evening ceremonies.
- The times for these dates are 10 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Tuesday, to Thursday and at 10 a.m. on Friday.
- Students have to RSVP for the appropriate ceremony for their program.
That other in-person option is a photo opportunity on campus for graduates who wish to attend a smaller event while still marking such an important moment, which will be held in August with details to follow.
Milic also told Humber News that President Chris Whitaker will be in attendance of this year’s convocation, his last big event before his retirement.
“President Whitaker will certainly be participating in the convocation ceremony,” she said, “There will be messaging and there will be some online, virtual options as well. So there will certainly be some messaging from him.”
Credentials will be also sent to graduates by courier prior to the events themselves.
Harrison said that she often refers to the week of June as “public acknowledgement and celebration of our graduates”.
“What I often say is ‘Convocation-with the week of the 14th- is the party,'” she said, “If you wanted to find the two things, we would have given you your credentials.”
Graduation portrait photography is also available. Information about fees and availability can be found at mygradphotoshumber.com.
Details about convocation, including specifics on program ceremony times or who will be this year’s honorary degree recipients, will be shared in the coming weeks.