Convocation is a busy event that involves hundreds of people, including graduands and their guests, faculty, staff, and volunteers. Here you will find information on what to expect on this momentous day!
Campus Parking
There is no fee for parking. We suggest carpooling if possible.
Time to Arrive
Practical Nurse students will need to be assembled before 8:30 a.m. dressed in white scrubs for the Pinning Ceremony in McGrane Theatre.
Graduands arrive on campus between:
- 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. for the morning ceremony
- 12:45 - 1:45 p.m. for the afternoon ceremony
The Voyageur Grill will be open for refreshments.
All guests must be seated by 9:40 a.m. for the morning ceremony and 2:10 p.m. for the afternoon ceremony. Guests arriving after 10:00 a.m. or 2:30 p.m. will be seated when the processional has finished and all Graduands are seated. Guest seating is on a first come, first serve basis.
Attire
As this is a special day to honour convocating students, we suggest Graduands and Guests attending the ceremony wear daytime formal attire.
Tips for Graduands, you can get warm wearing a robe, dress appropriately. Also pockets come in handy, you'll need somewhere to store your phone (volume off please).
Photographs
Janine Adele Photography will be available for a fee in the Racquetball Court.
An area will also be set up in Room 216 for anyone wishing to take personal photographs.
Guests are welcome to take photographs throughout the ceremony, as long as it does not interfere with the processional or recessional. Please be considerate of others when taking photographs.
Check-in and Gown pick-up
Proceed to Room 135 at least one hour prior to your ceremony to fit your gown, v-stole and cap. Assistants will be on hand to help you.
- Put the robe on first.
- Position the V-stole with the shorter V in front and longer V in the back.
- Place your cap. Tassels are worn on the right side of the cap before the ceremony and are then moved from the right side to the left on the stage.
Name Cards
You will be given a name card which will show your preferred name as it appears in the convocation program. Remember, your legal name will appear on your certificate or diploma. You need to keep this card with you until you reach the stage. Hand the card to the Convocation Marshal at the podium, who will read your name as you cross the stage during the Convocation Ceremony.
Marshalling
Marshalling is the procedure of forming an alphabetical line of Graduands by department and by parchment classification for the procession to the convocation venue. The marshalling area is the hallway outside room 135. (This is area is not secure, please don’t leave any items in this area).
As it takes time to marshal all of the Graduands, it’s important that you arrive at least 60 minutes prior to your ceremony to collect your robe and be marshalled in order ready for the processional.
Processional
The President, Platform Party and Faculty will lead the procession, followed by the Graduands. Convocation Marshals will lead each group of Graduands and direct them to their seats.
The President and Platform Party will be seated on the stage. Graduands and Faculty will be seated in reserved seating. You should remain standing until everyone is in place and the music stops, which will be indicated by the Master of Ceremonies.
Seating
If you require special seating, please contact Student Services at 780-623-5504.
Program
The order of events will be listed in the Convocation Program. Copies will be available for Guests at the reception table.
Certificates / Diplomas
At the ceremony, Graduands will receive a ceremonial scroll. Your official certificate or diploma will be mailed out after successful program completion.
Recessional
All Graduands will exit the Gymnasium as directed by the Convocation Marshals. The Graduands will lead the recessional, followed by the President, Platform Party and then Faculty. Watch the Convocation Marshals for direction. Recessional participants will be led out the main entrance where Graduands can take part in a cap toss.
Return Your Gown
Gowns must be returned to Room 135 by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 2, 2023.
Convocation will take place on Friday June 2, 2023 at the Lac La Biche Campus in the gymnasium.
There will be two ceremonies, these are scheduled by program and grouped to create an equal split between the morning ceremony and afternoon ceremonies.
- Morning Convocation Ceremony 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. - Portage College gymnasium
- Afternoon Convocation Ceremony 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. - Portage College gymnasium
Students are eligible to attend Convocation if they qualify for graduation and if their program of studies are completed in the current academic year. (by June 30, 2023). Invitations will be sent in March to students who are eligible to attend. If you don't receive an email, you are most likely not eligible to attend. Or you email may have been held in your "Junk Mail" folder.
Recognizing that in-person events were delayed for the past two and a half years, students who attended their convocation virtually in 2020, 2021 and 2022 will have the opportunity to attend the in-person 2023 convocation ceremonies.
If you fall under this category then you must contact Student Services at 1-866-623-5551 during the month of March 2023.
The Registrar’s Office will remove the names of students that withdraw prior to May 1st from the eligible student list.
Yes, students who graduated in the following academic years; 2019/2020, 2020/2021 and 2021/2022) are invited to participate in-person 2023 convocation ceremonies.
If you would like to attend convocation in person, please contact Student Services at 1-866-623-5551 during the month of March 2023.
If you wish to know more about convocation pleas contact Student Services at 1-866-623-5551.
All students participating in the ceremony are expected to wear the cap, tassel and gown. There is no cost to the student as Convocation is a gift from the College to the Student.
Students will be required to register so that the College can order the cap, tassel and gown. The cap and tassel are yours to keep after the ceremony. The gown and stole must be returned at the end of the day.
No, you will receive a letter in your convocation package. Your certificate (or diploma) will be mailed to you at a later date.
No, there is no childcare available on convocation day, there is an outdoor play area that adults can bring children to if they are getting restless during the ceremony.
There will be refreshments available throughout the day. Food will not be provided, but there is the onsite Voyageur Grill located on the Lac La Biche campus where you can purchase meals, snacks and beverages.
9:00 a.m. – Practical Nurse Pinning Ceremony in the McGrane Theatre
10:00 a.m. – Convocation Ceremony in the Portage College Gymnasium
11:30 a.m. – Award Ceremony in the Portage College Gymnasium
1:00 – 2:00 p.m. – Honour Ceremony in the McGrane Theatre
2:30 p.m. – Convocation Ceremony in the Portage College Gymnasium
We acknowledge that Portage College’s service region is on the traditional lands of First Nation Peoples, the owners of Treaty 6, 8 and 10, which are also homelands to the Métis people. We honour the history and culture of all people who first lived and gathered in these lands.