Family and Guests

Graduate holding flowers and a diploma cover poses for a selfie with two supporters following a convocation ceremony.

On This Page

  1. Ceremony Schedule
  2. Directions to Campus
  3. Guests
  4. Parking
  5. Accessibility
  6. Brock Souvenirs and Gifts
  7. Hotel Accommodations and Tourist Information

Convocation Ceremony Schedule

Fall 2026 Convocation ceremonies will take place in the Ian Beddis Gymnasium on Friday, October 16.

Graduates should review their Intent to Graduate page on the Brock Student Portal to confirm their ceremony time (“AM” – 10 a.m., and “PM” – 2:30 p.m.) once their intent as been approved.

Family and guests can also view all convocation ceremony times on the Ceremony Schedule.

Please ask your graduate if you are unsure which ceremony they will be attending.

Guests

Each graduate may invite up to two (2) guests to attend their convocation ceremony. Due to the number of graduates and limited seating available, guest attendance is restricted to two per graduate to ensure equitable access for all graduates and their supporters.

New for Fall 2026, guests will require an electronic ticket for entry to the ceremony venue. Guests should connect with their graduate to obtain their ticket prior to arriving at the ceremony. Electronic tickets must be presented upon entry to the gymnasium.

If a guest requires an accessibility accommodation, please connect with an usher wearing a red robe upon arrival at the ceremony.

Venue Information

Please check with your graduand for the date and time of their ceremony. Each ceremony is approximately two hours in length. All ceremonies are held in the Ian Beddis Gymnasium, Walker Complex.

Audience seats are not assigned. Seating consists of chairs with backs. Seating may be available for latecomers, however many ceremonies will be at capacity. Brock University cannot guarantee availability of additional seats at any one convocation ceremony.

Guests should be seated in the Ian Beddis Gymnasium no less than 30 minutes prior to the ceremony’s scheduled start time. Guests that arrive and check-in within 30 minutes of the scheduled ceremony start time will be required to wait until after the procession of graduates and platform party members is complete before they may be admitted into the audience. Convocation Staff will determine the most appropriate time for these guests to enter the ceremony and be seated.

Livestream Information

Family and friends who cannot attend Convocation in person are invited to celebrate from anywhere through Brock University’s livestream. All ceremonies are recorded and made available online after the event for future viewing.

Directions to Campus

Pre-plan your trip to Brock by checking average travel times to campus ahead of the ceremony dates.

Directions to Brock

Walker Complex, Brock University

Parking and Accessible Parking

Complimentary parking is available for all ceremonies in designated parking lots on campus.

If driving to campus, please follow the posted signage to designated lots. Parking Services staff will be present to help guide drivers to available parking spots.

A map of designated parking locations on campus is available here.

An accessible drop-off point is available just in front of the main entrance of the Walker Complex, located at the west end of University Road West. Please follow posted signage to the designated accessible drop-off location. When loading and unloading passengers in this drop-off area, please ensure that your vehicle is not obstructing multiple lanes of traffic and that your vehicle’s hazard lights are activated.

Designated accessible parking spots are situated approximately 100 meters west of the main entrance to the Walker Complex in Lot P.

An interactive map of accessible parking spots at Brock is available here.

Accessibility

Accessibility and inclusion are priorities at Brock University. To ensure your day is an enjoyable and memorable one, as graduands and guests, live captioning will be provided during all ceremonies and ASL interpreters will also be present during convocation.

An accessible drop off point is available at the doors of the Walker Complex. The primary entrance being used for the convocation facility, as well as the platform graduands will cross are ramped. An interactive map of accessible parking available at Brock can be found here.

Female accessible washrooms are located adjacent to the locker room on the lower floor of the Walker Complex near the gymnasium and/or in the hallway directly behind the Welcome Desk of the Walker Complex. A male accessible washroom is located adjacent to the locker room and/or in the hallway closest to the platform lift near the Welcome Desk. Our ushers and staff will be happy to assist you – please ask!

Need help?

If any of your guests require assistance/accommodations with seating, please complete the accessibility form. If you are a graduate and require accommodations, please email [email protected].

Convocation staff and ushers will be located throughout the gymnasium and surrounding areas and would be happy to assist you!

Learn more about accessibility at Brock.

Brock Souvenirs and Gifts

The Brock Campus Store will be set up in the Walker Complex. Pre-order your diploma frames and jump to the front of the line to pick them up after the ceremony. The Brock Campus Store will offer an array of convocation mementos including souvenir gown and hoods, as well as diploma frames, to mark the occasion. Grads can order individual products or bundle options together! For more information, please visit the Campus Store or email them directly at [email protected].

Hotel Accommodations and Tourist Information

On-Campus Accommodations – Spring Only

Accommodations for overnight guests may be available on-campus for spring convocation ceremonies only and can be booked with Housing Services online.

For more information, please visit Housing Services’ website or contact the East Service Desk in Residence 8 by email at [email protected], or by phone at (905) 688-5550, extension 3220.

For groups accommodation inquiries of 10 or more guests, please contact the Conference Services Office by email at [email protected], or by phone at (905) 688-5550, extension 3369.

Off-Campus Accommodations

Some locals hotels include:

Visit Tourism St. Catharines’ website for more accommodation options in the St. Catharines and Niagara area.

Contact Us

For additional information or assistance, please email the Convocation Team at [email protected].