Convocation is a monumental occasion in the life of any post-secondary student, and Brock University won’t let the Class of 2020 go uncelebrated.

With large gatherings banned due to the COVID-19 pandemic, post-secondary institutions around the world have been coming up with creative ways to mark the occasion.

In-person ceremonies are on hold, so Brock University’s 107th Convocation, originally scheduled for the second week of June, will move online. A future in-person celebration is also planned when it’s safe to do so.

In the meantime, the University’s 2020 Virtual Convocation will launch on Friday, June 19.

Rather than just a one-day celebration, Virtual Convocation will be a web-based portal where each of the University’s more than 3,000 graduands will get a tailored experience based on their Faculty, and whether they’re an undergraduate or graduate student.

The Virtual Convocation experience will include video messages from University President Gervan Fearon, Chancellor Shirley Cheechoo and other special guests, as well as videos submitted by graduating Brock students.

“We know that Convocation will look very different this year, but we recognize that this is one of the biggest moments in a student’s life,” said Brock University Registrar and Associate Vice-President, Enrolment Services, Geraldine Jones. “We may not be able to come together in person, but we are still excited to celebrate and recognize their achievements. We want to make this something they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.”

After going live on the morning of Friday, June 19, the Virtual Convocation portal will remain online for students and their families to access the site at their own convenience.

Fearon said the University is committed to inviting 2020 graduates back to campus for an in-person celebration at a future date, and the online event in June is not meant to replace that.

“This Virtual Convocation is an important occasion to officially mark the conferring of their degrees and completion of their academic success and many years of hard work at Brock University,” said Fearon. “When it is safe and appropriate to do so, we will be inviting these graduating students back to the University campus for the opportunity to celebrate in-person their accomplishments with their peers, faculty and staff as well as family members. We are very proud of the graduating students’ accomplishments and they should be too as part of the Virtual Convocation as well as in the future.”

Also part of the Virtual Convocation portal is a social media ‘celebration toolkit,’ where grads can download graphics such as social media cover photos and animated confetti. Brock gives a small bag of confetti to all of its incoming students, and many wait to open the bag until Convocation Day.

Shortly after Virtual Convocation launches, all graduating students will be mailed a package that includes their degree parchment, a Convocation program, an alumni pin and other information from the Brock University Alumni Association, information on how to purchase a degree frame from the Brock Campus Store, Surgite magazine and a bag of Class of 2020 confetti.