For Immediate Release - October 23, 2020

Challenging times call for creative and collaborative solutions, and that’s how the University of Guelph will be celebrating the graduating class of 2020.

Although the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic prevents the University from holding in-person convocation this month, members from all of its colleges have created a virtual celebration for winter, summer and fall graduates of the Class of 2020.

On Oct. 28 at 4 p.m., a virtual convocation celebration will take place on YouTube and Facebook Live platforms.

The virtual convocation website will guide grads to their college-specific celebrations where they can watch and engage. Grads and their families are also encouraged to join the celebrations on social media by using #GuelphGrad2020 in their tweets and posts.

By emailing social@uoguelph.ca, they can also send a special message to a Guelph grad to be shared on the University’s Twitter and Instagram  account. 

“We had hoped to hold in-person ceremonies in October, allowing fall graduates and those who had their June convocation postponed due to COVID-19 to cross the stage in front of family and friends,” said president and vice-chancellor Charlotte Yates in a message to students. “But government protocols and public health concerns about physical distancing and large public gatherings continue.”

Convocation is one of the major highlights of the academic year for everyone on campus, she added. But health and safety remain top priorities during the pandemic, and a virtual convocation is the best way to protect students and their families, as well as faculty, staff and the broader community.

A unique component of the virtual celebration is a video address involving students from each college, sharing thoughts, hopes and well wishes. There will also be an address by the president, congratulatory messages from faculty and other campus community members, and greetings from local politicians and alumni.

The hopeful messages of support and congratulations will let grads know that many people are thinking about them, care for them and wish them the very best, said Claire Alexander, special projects manager in U of G’s office of ceremonies and events.

“Putting this together has very much been a collaborative effort, trying to adapt to this new reality of virtual,” Alexander said. “Everyone really pitched in because we want to create something special for the graduating students.”

In October’s #GuelphGrad on Tour event, a series of small photo sessions were held in Toronto, Burlington, Mississauga and Guelph, allowing graduates to don a gown and have photographs taken with U of G backdrops.

The graduating class of 2020 received their degrees in a special keepsake box with a tassel and confetti cannon to celebrate their accomplishments. Most grads have already received their grad boxes, while some deliveries are delayed due to limitations faced by couriers.

“We hope to communicate to our grads that we are thinking about and celebrating them,” Alexander said, adding that the campus community also shares in the grief grads feel over missing out on in-person convocation ceremonies. “There are lots of people thinking about them.”

Yates said she believes a strong alternative to an in-person convocation will ensure a memorable occasion.

“I believe that graduates and their families and friends will feel they have been a part of something very special.”

-30-