When Brock University’s Spring Convocation returns in person this June, the weeklong celebration will include a number of changes for both graduands and their guests.

Held Monday, June 13 to Friday, June 17, Brock’s 111th Convocation will see about 3,500 graduands from seven Faculties cross the stage in Ian Beddis Gymnasium as the University returns to more formal in-person celebrations following two years of online ceremonies due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This spring’s graduands will be required to reserve a ticket to confirm their attendance at Convocation and may also book up to two additional tickets for guests — all at no cost. Tickets will be scanned at the event and must be brought along to gain access to the indoor ceremonies.

To reserve tickets:

• Log-in to University Tickets using your Brock credentials.
• Click on ‘Brock Convocation’ under Categories.
• Choose your Convocation ceremony (found under your intent to graduate application, once approved, or via the Convocation schedule.)
• Reserve tickets for yourself and up to two guests.

A number of important COVID-19 protocols will also be in place throughout the week to ensure the health and safety of the Brock community.

• 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 while indoors, except for speakers who are at a podium delivering an address.
• Everyone attending Convocation is also required to be fully vaccinated.

For those unable to attend, all Convocation ceremonies will be livestreamed online at brocku.ca/livestream

To help the Class of 2022 mark the milestone occasion, Brock is bringing back its online celebration toolkit, where graduands can download a variety of graphics for use on social media, including cover photos, wallpapers, animated confetti and Convocation-themed filters.

A photo trail will also be set up to guide graduates to some of the most iconic spots on campus and new photo spots set up. Grads are encouraged to share their photos on social media with the hashtag #BrockUGrad so the University can celebrate with them.

After crossing the Convocation stage, Brock’s Class of 2022 is invited to travel down Alumni Alley in the Rankin Family Pavilion, where a celebration hosted by Alumni and Donor Relations will be held following each ceremony.

Graduates will have the opportunity to take pictures at a variety of photo stations, connect with their peers over light refreshments, celebrate with family and friends, and interact with the faculty and staff who have supported them along their academic journey.

Brock’s newest alumni are encouraged to stay connected to the University by updating their contact information online. Graduates who update their information by Sunday, June 19 will be entered into a draw for an Apple Watch, gift cards and other prizes.

Also adding to week’s Convocation festivities will be the GRAD² Experience Area, which will welcome the newest graduates from the University’s Graduate Studies programs to celebrate with one another. Open daily from noon to 2 p.m. in the atrium of the Roy and Lois Cairns Health and Bioscience Research Complex, the space will offer refreshments, a photo backdrop, a candy bar and Brock swag giveaways, including packages of eco-friendly, seed-paper confetti.

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, which can be picked up at Convocation and include free framing of a degree. Purchases can be made through the Campus Store online, in store or at the pop-up shop in the Walker Complex near South Block during Convocation week.

Free parking will be available for graduands throughout Convocation week in Zone 1. If this lot is full, please follow signage to Zone 2 for overflow parking. A map of campus parking is available on the University’s website.

For more information and to see a full schedule of Convocation ceremonies, visit the Brock University Convocation web page.