The Convocation Ceremony is a formal celebration of all grad's achievements at Bow Valley College.
You will receive a commemorative parchment, be gathered with your classmates, have your name announced to the audience, and then cross the stage to be recognized, all while wearing gowns with matching caps and tassels.
The ceremonies usually go for about two hours, and are filled with music, speeches, and other elements. If you attend, we ask that you stay for the entire ceremony, out of respect for your fellow grads and their guests. Please also note, the coat check is reserved for graduates.
PAST CONVOCATION VIDEOS →9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
2:00 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.
9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Phones are not permitted to be used in the Jack Singer Concert Hall out of respect for the Platform Party, speakers, guests, and graduates. Please set your phone to silent during the ceremony. No flash photography should be taken during the ceremonies. There will be an opportunity to gather in the lobby after the ceremony where there will be a photo booth available.
Do you need accommodations at the ceremony venue?
Email convocation@bowvalleycollege.ca
Are you an Indigenous student graduating this year?
Join us for a special Indigenous Graduation Celebration on May 31st!
In this celebration you will have the opportunity to:
The Medicine Pouch is a sacred item rooted in Indigenous tradition, symbolizing protection and achievement. It is presented to graduates, infused with blessings from Elder Calvin Williams, to support their journey ahead.
The pouch contains sacred medicines, including symbols of resilience and sustainability like the buffalo. It serves as a reminder of graduates' contributions and commitment, offering guidance during times of uncertainty.
Caring for the Medicine Pouch involves fostering its spirit through positivity, smudging, and prayer. We express gratitude to Elder Calvin Williams for his teachings and blessings associated with this sacred item.
To retrieve your photos after the ceremony,
use one of the links below:
Here are some helpful terms and definitions that will be used throughout the event:
A graduate or former student of a school, college, or university.
Someone who is eligible to graduate but has not yet graduated.
When your degree, certificate, or diploma is awarded, you become a graduate.
An academic degree for which has been waived all the usual requirements.
Bow Valley College instructors, academic and department leaders, members of the board of governors, executive team members, Indigenous and government leaders, valedictorians and keynote speakers make up the platform party.
When the Platform Party and graduands enters the ceremony hall.
At the end of the ceremony, this is when the Platform Party and graduates exit the ceremony hall.
The black cap and gown graduates wear. The gown and hood members of the platform party wear.
A decorative sash worn by graduands. The colour of stoles will represent the School graduands are graduating from.
Decorative black hanging threads from the cap. Worn on the right side of the graduation cap until it is announced at the ceremony to move it to the left side.
A student, typically having the highest academic achievements of the class, who delivers the valedictorian speech at a graduation ceremony.
We are here to help you in every step of the way