Goodman grads will step into the spotlight next Friday as the School literally rolls out the red carpet for its first-ever pre-Convocation event.

Organized by the Business Students’ Association (BSA) and Graduate Business Council, Coffee and Convocation will take place from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. before Goodman’s Convocation ceremony on Friday, June 13.

The event will feature coffee, tea and snacks and offer students and their supporters a chance to celebrate with faculty and their peers.

“This cohort of undergraduate students came into the School during COVID-19 and didn’t have a typical start to their Goodman experience, so we want to make the end of their journey as meaningful as possible,” said BSA Co-President Kristen Noble. “We are hoping this is the start of an annual tradition where students can celebrate their growth and accomplishments one last time.”

Graduands will then march en masse from Goodman to the gowning room at 8:30 a.m. along with faculty members of the platform party, performing the Goodman chant one final time before leaving the School.

The pre-Convocation event will also launch the first-ever Goodman Class Gift, with graduating students having the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy by donating to the 2025 undergraduate or graduate funds.

Accounting graduand Michael Cubelic has spearheaded Goodman’s first class gift funded by graduating students.

Michael Cubelic, an Accounting graduand who helped spearhead the initiative, said the purpose of the Goodman Class Gift is to ensure that all students are able to participate in campus events, clubs and activities without the barrier of financial hardship.

His own experience as co-captain of this year’s JDCC competition team helped him grow academically and as a leader, but also opened his eyes to the fact that participation fees for teams like this are difficult for all students to afford.

“We at Goodman are a family and when we come together as one, we can accomplish anything,” he said. “Let’s be the group that makes history. The group that sparked a change for Goodman students and the group that showed them a path to give back to future generations to ensure that we are shaping a better tomorrow, today for Goodman.”

The inaugural Goodman Class Gift initiative is being bolstered by the support of an anonymous faculty donor who will match any class gift donations, up to $5,000, made before 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, July 10.

Graduate Business Council President Louis Tieu said the Goodman Graduate Class Gift will help reduce the financial hardship of participating in the national MBA Games competition and other initiatives that shape the graduate experience but may have a barrier to entry.

Both Cubelic and Tieu say every gift, regardless of size, will make a difference. Gifts over $20 will receive a tax receipt from Brock University.

Contributions can be made on the Brock donation website by selecting either Goodman Undergraduate Class Gift or Goodman Graduate Class Gift.