While thousands of Brock students celebrated Spring Convocation last week, dozens of employees worked on stage and behind the scenes to ensure each day was memorable.<\/p>\n
Employees from across the University came together to assist with the five-day event, many setting aside their usual roles for new ones specific to the occasion.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was all hands on deck,\u201d said Brock Registrar Geraldine Jones. \u201cWhether employees were in the thick of the gowning room checking on students and providing them with their academic regalia, ushering and greeting guests in the gymnasiums, or back in the office holding down the fort, everyone worked together and supported each other.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and the Registrar\u2019s Office, several departments were involved behind the scenes to ensure that Convocation ran smoothly. Custodial Services cleaned and polished campus in anticipation of the big day; Print Services printed hundreds of Convocation programs and Order and Form booklets; Facilities Management transformed the gymnasiums and dance studio into parts of the formal celebration; Campus Security Services helped with traffic flow and security; Campus Store sold keepsakes and degree frames; Development and Alumni Relations entertained VIP guests and graduates at a reception following the ceremony; and many more.<\/p>\n
For many faculty members, volunteering as a bedel is a special privilege.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlacing a ceremonial hood on a student\u2019s shoulder and watching them cross the stage to accept their degree is a culmination of the faculty member\u2019s time with the student,\u201d said Greg Finn, Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President, Academic.<\/p>\n
In the 33 years he\u2019s been at Brock, Finn has participated in 110 Convocation ceremonies as part of the platform party. At this year\u2019s Convocation ceremonies, he had the honour of hooding several of his past Earth Sciences students.<\/p>\n
For those he did not hood, Finn offered congratulations as they crossed the stage.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was really special to be a part of my students\u2019 Convocation ceremony,\u201d he said. \u201cWhen I reached out to shake a couple of students\u2019 hands, they were surprised. They took a second to catch their breath.\u201d<\/p>\n
The reward for the huge effort it takes to plan and execute Convocation comes in the form of smiles on the graduates\u2019 faces.<\/p>\n
Preparations begin months in advance and the Registrar’s Office continues to wrap up outstanding details over the next couple of weeks.<\/p>\n
\u201cConvocation is often one of the last experiences students and their families have with Brock. We want them to leave with fond memories of their time here \u2014 especially of the day they\u2019ve been working so hard to reach,\u201d said Jones.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe couldn\u2019t accomplish this without the collaborative effort of our employees striving to provide an exceptional Brock experience.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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