Beaming family members, excited graduates and proud faculty celebrated Convocation at Brock University this June.

Virtual guests also watched the ceremonies using Livestream, while and hundreds of others captured highlights through social media. #BrockClassof2013 and #badgerforever were popular hashtags used throughout convocation. In addition, hundreds of Facebook fans shared, liked and commented on over 1,500 photos posted to the Brock Alumni page.

Boomer the Badger happily posed with grads holding signs that read “Badgers Forever” or “Where’s Ryan?” a reference to last year’s surprise guests, actors Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendez, his girlfriend.

Although there were no A-list celebrities in attendance this year, graduates were the stars throughout the five-day event, as they walked the red carpet and received congratulations from well-wishers.

Among them, were members of the Brock University Alumni Association: Darren Fox (BBA ’00), Crispin Bottomley (BA ’04; BEd ’05), Alison Lahn (BA ’95, BA ’01, Med ’10) Terry Morrish (BSc ’99), Rachel Crane  (BBA ’11) and Kristen Smith (BA ’98).

The speakers addressed the graduating class throughout eight separate ceremonies. Their message was one of pride and hope: “As you pursue the next phase of your life, whether that is travel, additional education or work, take what you’ve learned at Brock and make the world a better place.”

Each graduate was also presented with a pin from the Alumni Association featuring the Brock cameo to commemorate their journey and lifelong relationship with Brock. A Faculty of Science graduate captured the sentiment of the silver cameo pin on Twitter the following day: “wore my @brockalumni pin to today. #proud #firstdayasanalumni #lovebrock #badgerforlife.”

Welcome to the club, Class of 2013!

Convocation is a big event at Brock each year – to read more about convocation, check out these other stories:

Local advocate honoured at Convocation

Mother and two children graduating together

Goodman graduates cap off Spring Convocation