A group six graduates in their gowns pose for a selfie

Convocation

Congratulations graduate – we can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Georgian College hosts convocation ceremonies in June and October each year.

The Automotive Business School of Canada(ABSC) hosts a convocation ceremony every October.

Ceremony dates, times and locations

June 17-19, 2024

Graduates of December and April are recognized at the spring ceremonies in June. All ceremonies will be held at the Gateway Entertainment Centre in Rama, ON.

Information will be sent to students at the beginning of May 2024.

October 2024 (ABSC)

Graduates of the Automotive Business academic area from December 2023 to August 2024 will be recognized at the ABSC ceremony held at the Georgian Theatre, Barrie Campus.

Gown rental will open in September.

October 2024

Graduates of August 2024 will be recognized at the fall ceremonies in October. All ceremonies will be held at the Gateway Entertainment Centre in Rama, ON.

Gown rental will open in September.

Convocation policies

Georgian College convocation late arrival policy

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.

Late arrivals will be ushered to the side entrance of the stage and will be seated behind the last group of students and be the last to cross the stage.


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.

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 time

Doors open one hour before the scheduled start time. Guests should be seated no less than 15 minutes before the start time. Guests who arrive late may be asked to wait to be seated if the ceremony has begun.


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.

President Kevin Weaver shaking the hand of graduate who is wearing a blue gown.
Indigenous drummer

Graduation information

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 are not permitted to attend future convocation ceremonies.


How to apply to graduate

  1. Log in to Banner.
  2. Select View academic records and fee account details.
  3. Select Apply to graduate.
  4. Select the final term of study using the dropdown menu and click submit.
  5. Select curriculum.
  6. Select the program that you will be graduating from.
  7. Ensure your personal information is correct, as 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 happens if I miss the deadline to apply to graduate?Georgian College Chevron

Students who miss the deadline are still required to apply to graduate when the application reopens on Banner. Please refer to the important dates calendar for application windows.

What happens after I apply to graduate?Georgian College Chevron

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 are not able to release your credential or transcript until your account has been cleared. In addition, we cannot produce an enrolment letter or release your name to an external third party (e.g., for board exams).

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.


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.

Advancement and Alumni Relations
c/o Convocation
One Georgian Dr.
Barrie, ON L4M 3X9

Please contact us via email and our team will respond within two business days.
convocation@georgiancollege.ca

How to make the most of your graduation *HIDDEN SECTION*

Step 1: Apply to graduate through Georgian's student information system, Banner

1. Apply to graduate

  • Apply through Banner at any time during your final semester, even if you don’t plan to attend the ceremony.
Step 2: Check MyGCLife for details on your graduate audit

2. Graduate audit

  • After final grades are entered, check MyGCLife for updates on your graduation status.
Step 3: Attend your Georgian College convocation ceremony

3. Attend convocation

Step 4: Join the Georgian College Alumni Network

4. Join the Alumni Network

  • Create your profile on GeorgianAlumni.ca to stay connected with classmates and grow your professional network.