Convocation 2020

The convocation ceremony usually held in June of each year is postponed for now and will not take place in June. The College hopes to reschedule it to later this year, howerever, this will depend on how the current situation evolves over the next months.

COMING TO CONVOCATION?

Graduates of John Abbott College who completed their studies in summer 2019, fall 2019 or winter 2020 are invited to attend their graduation ceremony at John Abbott College on Thursday, June 11, 2020.

Potential graduates of winter 2020 who find they must take additional courses to fulfill their program requirements will not be eligible to participate in this year’s Convocation ceremony.

Please follow the link below to confirm your attendance at the 2020 Convocation Ceremony (available as of April).

Attending convocation

Please complete this form if you are not attending the Convocation ceremony but wish to receive your ceremonial certificate (available as of April).

Ceremonial certificate only

IMPORTANT DATES

March 31, April 1, 2020 Graduation Photo Session (Student Activities H-159)
April 10, 2020 Convocation Invitations Received by Mail and posted on Omnivox
May 20, 2020 Attendance Confirmation/Payment Deadline
June 1, 2020 Winter 2020 Grade Deadline
June 8, 2020 Convocation Ticket Pick-Up
June 11, 2020

Convocation

 

CONVOCATION CEREMONY

The Convocation ceremony will take place outdoors on the Oval, in front of the Herzberg Building, weather permitting. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the Casgrain building gymnasium with two additional locations in the College where the ceremony will be broadcast live. On the morning of Convocation, an announcement will be posted on the John Abbott website and the John Abbott Portal as to the location (Oval or Gymnasium) of that evening’s ceremony.

FACULTY AND STAFF

Faculty members are asked to assemble outside the Registrar’s Office, H-128, no later than 5:45 p.m. At the directed time, the academic party will lead the processional into the Convocation area. Dais guests will be directed to take their places on stage. All other attending faculty and staff will be directed to the faculty and staff seating area.

STUDENTS

Cap and gown pick-up for students will begin in the Agora at 4:30 p.m.

Starting at 5:40 p.m. in the Agora graduates will line up as instructed by a member of the Registrar’s Office and the academic marshals.

All guests must be seated before the procession of academic faculty and staff and graduates begins at 6:20 p.m. sharp, with the ceremony starting at 6:30 p.m.

Following the ceremony, graduates and their guests are invited to a reception. Convocation generally lasts about 3 hours, including the reception.

Please note that by attending this event, you understand that photos will be taken, and that the College may use them in any future publications.

Convocation Questions/Answers

Invitations are mailed out in April to the home address and are posted on Omnivox. The invitation contains a link to pay on-line via credit card ($55). The deadline to confirm your attendance is May 20. If you are a graduate that has mobility concerns (i.e.: wheelchair, crutches, cane, etc.) please contact Natasa Lalic at 514-457-6610 extension 5356.
Maximum 4. If the ceremony has to be moved indoors due to weather conditions, a maximum of 2 guests per student will be permitted in the Casgrain gymnasium (entry tickets are required).Up to 2 additional guests per student will be able to watch the broadcast of the ceremony from the comfort of two air-conditioned locations at the College. Please note it is possible that no tickets will be available for the gym unless you have paid the Convocation Ceremony Fee by the May 20 deadline. On Monday, June 8, your reserved tickets will be available for pick-up at the Registrar’s Office, room H-128, between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. If you wish for someone else to collect your tickets, please provide that person with your JAC student card. If you are not able to collect your reserved tickets on June 8, they will be given to you when you pick up your cap and gown at Convocation.
Yes, for your convenience, a local flower company will be on the premises with bouquets for sale.
Yes. All graduates will wear a black gown and cap. Later in the evening, after you have returned your gown, you will be able to keep your cap and Graduating Class 2020 tassel as a souvenir.
No. The certificate you receive at Convocation is a ceremonial certificate prepared by the college for your graduating class. For DEC graduates, your official diploma that is issued by the Ministry of Education will be received at the college approximately 6 months after you have graduated. As soon as the college receives your government diploma, you will be advised via mail from the Registrar’s Office (a copy of the letter will also appear in your Omnivox account). For Continuing Education AEC graduates, you will have already received your certificate from the college.
If you do not attend the ceremony but wish to receive your ceremonial certificate and a souvenir copy of the Convocation Program, you must make your payment online ($55). The Convocation package will be mailed out to graduates 2 weeks after the ceremony. On-line orders will be accepted only until June 19.