Convocation is one of the most exciting times in your Georgian journey. We’re dedicated to making your experience memorable and can’t wait to celebrate with you and your supporters.
We recognize how disappointing this news will be for many. We wanted to share it with you as soon as possible, giving you ample time to adjust any plans you’ve made, including travel. We understand this change affects not only our graduates, but your families and supporters, all of whom were looking forward to celebrating this significant achievement together.
Our goal is to ensure we mark this milestone moment with the exceptional experience you deserve. Our support staff play an integral role in making your special day memorable and supporting each ceremony.
Rescheduled ceremonies
We’ll share new dates once the labour disruption is resolved.
Graduation documents
We continue to process graduation documents – transcripts, graduation letters, etc. – so you’ll have all you need as you prepare for the next step in your career or academic journey. You can check the Document Hub on MyGCLife under Quick links and access them once ready.
Gown reimbursement
If you already ordered a gown, you’ll be reimbursed and communicated with directly via email. Once the new ceremony dates are confirmed, you’ll have the opportunity to reserve a gown again.
Welcome to our global alumni network
You’re joining a global community of more than 120,000 Georgian alumni living, working and making an impact around the world. As a graduate, you automatically become a lifetime member of the Alumni Association. This means you have access to the Georgian Alumni Network—a hub for exclusive perks, savings, events, and opportunities to stay connected with fellow alumni.
Postponement: frequently asked questions
I paid for my gown. Will I get a refund?
Yes. Refunds have been processed as of October 1 and have been refunded to your original form of payment. Please allow five to eight business days for the funds to appear on your card, depending on your card company’s processing time.
Note for ABSC graduates: Gowns for ABSC ceremonies are ordered through a different system. Refunds for ABSC gown orders will be processed after the labour disruption ends and staff have returned to campus. You’ll receive a confirmation email once your refund has been issued.
Will I need to re-register for my ceremony once the new date is announced?
Yes. You’ll need to re-register and place a new gown order for the rescheduled ceremony. Once the new convocation dates are confirmed, you’ll receive an email with full instructions and a link to register and place a new gown order. Be sure to update your email in your MyGCLife profile to ensure you receive these communications. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!
How do I register for my new ceremony?
Once the new convocation dates are confirmed, you’ll receive an email with full instructions and a link to register and place a new gown order. Be sure to update your email in your MyGCLife profile to ensure you receive these communications.
How will I know when to register or order my new gown?
Once the new convocation dates are confirmed, you’ll receive an email with full instructions and a link to register and place a new gown order. Be sure to update your email in your MyGCLife profile to ensure you receive these communications.
Will the ceremony be in 2026?
We’ll confirm new ceremony dates once the labour disruption is resolved.
I hoped to receive my graduation documents (transcript, printed credential, etc.) at the October convocation ceremony. How and when will I get these?
Graduate audits are delayed and we hope to begin processing in early-to-mid October. Once you’ve been deemed a graduate, you’ll receive an email notification and graduation letters and transcripts will be available in your Document Hub on MyGCLife. The availability of the parchment credential will be shared once the labour disruption is resolved.
Ceremony dates, times and locations
June 16-18, 2025
December 2024 and April 2025 graduates will be recognized at the spring ceremonies in June. All ceremonies are held at the Gateway Entertainment Centre in Rama, ON.
October 9, 2025 (ABSC)
Graduates of the Automotive Business academic area from December 2024 to August 2025 will be recognized at the ABSC ceremony held at the Georgian Theatre, Barrie Campus.
Theatre doors will open at 1 p.m. and the ceremony will begin at 2 p.m.
The graduate procession will begin on time for all convocation ceremonies. Once the procession has begun, any late arrivals will wait in a designated area until the procession is complete and all students are seated.
Event staff will permit late arrivals to participate in the ceremony, provided they arrive no later than 15 minutes after the start of the ceremony. Any student arriving later than 15 minutes past the ceremony start will not be permitted to cross the stage. Alternate options may be provided, and students will have the ability to obtain their credential.
Deferral and eligibility
Student are not permitted to defer their convocation ceremony.
Eligible graduates will be invited to attend convocation, via email, by the Office of Convocation . Please note: Certificate and Recognition of Achievement programs are not eligible to participate in convocation.
Event information
Tickets and seating
Graduates are able to bring as many guests as they would like to the convocation ceremonies. Guests do not require tickets. Seating is first-come, first-served.
Arrival procedures
Graduates are asked to arrive 60 minutes before the scheduled ceremony time. Upon your arrival, signs and staff will direct you to the registration area. The gowning area will not be secured and we cannot guarantee the safety of your personal possessions. We strongly advise that you do not bring purses, hats, or valuables with you to the gowning area. Instead, please leave these articles with your guests. Please note: Guests and family (including children) are not allowed to accompany graduates into the gowning or graduate seating areas. Your family and guests will be directed to the public seating area and you may reconnect with them at the completion of the ceremony.
After the ceremony
Your ceremony is expected to last approximately two hours. We ask graduates and guests to be considerate and remain seated for the duration of the ceremony. Please ensure that your gown is returned promptly to the gowning area after you have taken photos with your friends and family.
Accessibility
We will do our best to accommodate your needs upon your arrival. Our facilities are wheelchair accessible.
Children
A typical ceremony lasts approximately two hours in which young children may find it difficult to sit quietly for the duration of the ceremony. Children who are attending must be supervised by an adult in the audience. Children are not permitted to sit with the graduating student, nor are they permitted to cross the stage with the graduating student.
Food and drinks
Food and drinks are not permitted in the convocation ceremony, with the exception of bottled water. You are invited to the Alumni reception following the ceremony where light refreshments will be available.
Flowers, gifts and diploma frames
Surprise your graduate with a bouquet of flowers. Flowers are available for purchase at all convocation ceremonies. You may also purchase flowers online in advance for the convocation ceremonies through Convocation Flowers, one of our Alumni Association partners.
Georgian Stores has a great selection of clothing, grad rings, gifts and diploma frames available for purchase.
TO RECEIVE YOUR CREDENTIAL, YOU MUST APPLY TO GRADUATE WHETHER YOU CHOOSE TO ATTEND CONVOCATION OR NOT.
Students in their last semester of study including classes, co-op, Praxis or internship should request to graduate.
Students who wish to attend a convocation ceremony must attend the ceremony that aligns with the date they were deemed a graduate. Students aren’t permitted to attend future convocation ceremonies.
Select View academic records and fee account details.
Select Apply to graduate.
Select thefinal term of study using the dropdown menu and click submit.
Select curriculum.
Select the program that you will be graduating from.
Ensure your personal information is correct; this information is used to produce your credential.
If you’re a part-time or continuing education student requesting your credential, please email the records and registration team to assist in completing your application.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between graduation and convocation?
Graduation is the successful completion of a student’s program. Graduate status is used for employment, immigration purposes and for admittance into another program. Once deemed a graduate, students can obtain official transcripts for proof of education.
Convocation is the celebratory event that brings graduates and their loved ones together to recognize their achievement. Graduates receive their official credential at the convocation ceremony.
What happens after I apply to graduate?
All applications are entered into our convocation queue to be reviewed at the end of the term. Applications are reviewed individually to ensure all requirements have been met. Due to the high volume of applications received, this process can take up to six weeks after the term ends.
Ensure all outstanding fees and fines are paid in full, and all outstanding book/equipment rentals have been cleared. If you owe fees or parking fines, or if you have outstanding rentals or library books, you may attend the convocation ceremony, but we’re not able to release your credential or transcript until your account has been cleared. In addition, we can’t produce an enrolment letter or release your name to an external third party (e.g., for board exams).
The convocation venue, Gateway Entertainment Centre, is located on the Casino Rama property. Will I be required to enter the casino?
You won’t be required to go through the casino to access the convocation ceremony. Gateway Entertainment Centre, situated on the Casino Rama property, is housed in its own distinct building with a dedicated parking lot and separate entrance. Access to the Gateway Entertainment Centre will only be granted through the exterior entrance. Any interior entrances connecting it to the rest of the Casino Rama resort will be closed during the convocation events. Additionally, we’ll have clear signage in the parking lots and entrances directing you to the convocation events, and any interior sight lines to the gaming floor will be blocked for the duration of the event.
Where’s Gateway Entertainment Centre located and how do I get there?
Gateway Entertainment Centre is situated at the Casino Rama property located at 5899 Rama Road, Rama, ON near Orillia.
Travel directions by car to Gateway Entertainment Centre, Rama, ON:
(Please note: when entering a destination into your navigation system, enter ‘Casino Rama Resort’.)
From south: Take Highway 400 North. Continue onto Highway 11 North. Exit onto Rama Road and follow the signs to Casino Rama Resort.
From north: Take Highway 400 South. Exit onto County Road 44 toward Coldwater/Rama Road. Turn right onto County Road 44. Continue onto Rama Road and follow the signs to Casino Rama Resort.
Where can I have my graduation photos taken?
The Georgian College Students’ Association (GCSA) co-ordinates photography with Lassman Studios. For portrait sittings before convocation, visit Lassman Studios Photography and enter Georgian as your school ID to book your photo session. Please note: Portrait sittings are campus specific and added to the calendar periodically. We encourage graduates to connect with Lassman Studios directly with date inquiries.
Livestreaming
Attend the convocation ceremony virtually
We stream our convocation ceremonies so that loved ones near and far who cannot attend in person can watch their graduate cross the stage. Please visit our YouTube Playlist.
At Georgian College, we respect the need to protect personal information. Pursuant to section 39(2) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA), students’ images, names, program, degree/diploma/certificate earned and year of graduation as they appear in convocation programs and in webcasts are considered public information. Participants acknowledge that by attending convocation, their image and/or voice may be captured by photograph, videotape, audiotape, live webcasting and otherwise reproduced during the ceremonies. This personal information is collected under the legal authority of the Ontario Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology Act, 2002 and in accordance with Sections 38(2) and 41(1) of FIPPA.
Personal information will be broadcast through live webcasting for the purpose of enabling individuals who are unable to attend convocation to view the ceremonies. Any information captured through photograph, videotape or audiotape may be used for promotional, administrative, educational or research purposes. Personal information may be disclosed to outside service providers for processing and production. If you have any questions about the collection of personal information by Georgian College during convocation, please contact the Office of the Registrar by telephone at 705.728.1968 or by email. For more information about FIPPA, please contact Georgian’s Access and Privacy Office by telephone at 705.722.5189 or by email.
Contact us
Georgian’s convocation team supports students through the graduation and convocation process and creates a celebratory ceremony at which graduates are recognized for their academic achievements.
