For the first time in more than two years, the pomp and circumstance of Brock University Convocation ceremonies will be seen in person this spring.

The University announced recently that Spring 2022 Convocation will be held in person at Ian Beddis Gymnasium with nine ceremonies over five days from June 13 to 17. This will mark Brock’s 111th Convocation event.

About 3,500 graduands from seven Faculties will cross the stage as the University returns to more formal in-person celebrations after the COVID-19 pandemic forced the 2020 and 2021 Spring and Fall Convocations to be held online.

“We’re very excited to celebrate our Class of 2022 in the traditional Brock University manner,” said Interim President and Vice-Chancellor Lynn Wells. “While the public health situation hasn’t permitted that in previous years, we’re pleased to return with our formal Convocation ceremony in June. We know how important it can be for our incredible students to complete this chapter of their academic journey by walking across that stage.”

Each ceremony will include addresses from a variety of speakers, the presentation of academic awards and, of course, the conferring of degrees. A number of honorary doctorates will be handed out throughout the week with recipients to be announced in the coming weeks.

In order to ensure the health and safety of the Brock community, there will be a number of important COVID-19 protocols in place throughout the week:

• All Spring 2022 Convocation attendees, including graduands and their guests, must wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth. Masks must remain in place at all times except for speakers who are at a podium delivering an address.
• Everyone attending is required to be fully vaccinated.
• Only two guests per graduand will be permitted. There’s no cost to attend, but guests must register in advance and will require a ticket to check in. Registration for tickets will open in the near future.

For those with extra guests, an overflow room on the main Brock campus will be available where a live broadcast of each Convocation ceremony will be shown. All ceremonies will also be available to watch for free live on the Brock University website.

“Our online Convocation portals and celebrations over the past two years allowed people from around the world to experience graduation alongside their loved ones,” said Brock Registrar Geraldine Jones. “With the return to an in-person celebration, we want to take the best of both types of Convocation and give our graduands and their friends and families an unforgettable experience.”

With the return of in-person celebrations also comes the ability to have degree parchments framed on site after each ceremony. Brock Campus store is encouraging the pre-purchase of degree frames to avoid lineups and is offering a free souvenir gown with the purchase of a frame from May 9 to 22.

Students not planning to attend Convocation in person must update their address and phone number in the student portal to have their degree parchment mailed to them.

For more information, visit the Brock University Convocation web page.

111th Brock University Convocation schedule

Monday, June 13: Faculty of Education, 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Tuesday, June 14: Faculty of Social Sciences, 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Wednesday, June 15: Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Thursday, June 16: Goodman School of Business, 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Friday, June 17: Faculty of Humanities; Faculty of Mathematics and Science, 10 a.m.

To see a full breakdown of which degrees will be conferred in the morning and afternoon ceremonies, see the full schedule on the Convocation web page.