With the end of the winter semester coming up, many students at Humber College are set to graduate at the upcoming convocation in June.
In-person convocation ceremonies will take place from June 13-16 and will be held at the north building of the Toronto Congress Centre, just south of Humber’s North campus.
Three ceremonies are set to take place each day, with times of 10 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., students will need to RSVP for the appropriate ceremony, given they meet the requirements to graduate.
The three day ceremony event is broken up among faculty, each graduate will be provided with 3 guest tickets, and a graduate name card before attending their designated ceremony. Photo credit: Office of Registrar
Each graduate will be provided with three guest tickets, and a graduate name card before attending their designated ceremony.
Rhonda Harrison, Coordinator of Humber’s Convocation, told Humber News that Convocation is a celebration on the completion of their program, while also being able to see the support of faculty and guests as they crossed the stage.
“It’s important to be recognized and celebrated for the hard work they put into achieving their credential. So we have multiple credentials, and different students. So I think the importance is being recognized for that achievement, and being celebrated,” Harrison said.
Harrison said that the entire planning process towards convocation takes approximately six months.
“The planning process overall takes approximately six months, and that includes ordering gowns, booking the venue, having all the media set up, and producing the book, which is published online,” she said.
“There’s also having to plan music and or entertainment, to organize the platform party. So it includes a lot the printing of credentials, having them sent to graduates. That is all included in the planning and it takes approximately six months to plan,” Harrison added.
Maria Honala, a student in the Paralegal program, is set to graduate this April, and is feeling excited to attend her convocation this spring.
“After being in the program for four years, I feel like I’ve learned a lot. I’m ready to use the skills I’ve learned throughout my time at Humber for my career. I couldn’t be more excited,” Honala said.
Harrison told Humber News that staff get feedback from graduates who are happy with the graduation process.
“We get alot of positive feedback from graduates who attend, some choose not to attend just because they don’t feel it’s important to them. So some people choose to just receive their credential and not attend but of those who are engaged with at the event,” she said.
“They’re extremely happy. They’re extremely proud and their supporters are equally excited and proud of them as well.”
Student Ambassador Sarah Hurtado, who has volunteered to help run Humber’s Convocation, told Humber News there are many great things happening at the event.
“They always have a nice place for photos at the front of the entrance, so you’re really able to get your graduation photos with your family and friends,” she said.
“They also have an alumni hall that has more spots for photo opportunities, there’s also snacks, a gift area where you can buy flowers, or a holder for your diploma, they’ve even had Humber Grad Teddy Bears in the past,” Hurtado added.
Honala said moving forward she hope’s to find a secure job in her field, once graduated from Humber.
“In the future, I hope to be able to get some type of job at a firm to be able to get myself in the door, I really hope to open my own firm one day,” Honala said.
Humber College's Convocation ceremony, celebrates graduate's skills and accomplishments throughout their time at Humber. Photo credit: Office of Registrar
Harrison told Humber News that she hopes that all graduates are satisfied with the ceremonies.
“I hope it goes well. I hope all the graduates are pleased with, I would call it, the party that we give them, with the celebration that they’re able to attend, take some pictures and share that moment with their loved ones and the supporters that have helped them get through their credential or their studies to achieve their credential.”