Your big day has arrived! Below is the road map to help you prepare and enjoy your graduation ceremony to the fullest.
Find your ceremony date and time using the Find Your Ceremony search tool.
1. Before the Ceremony
When you arrive at the Toronto Congress with your guests, you will present your tickets and guests can head to the Ballroom to be seated while graduates go directly to the Gowning Area. Remember to leave any jackets, bags or other personal items with your guests, if possible.
Grads must present their name card to receive their gown and regalia. Graduation regalia provided by the College will be worn over regular clothing by all graduates. The gown and regalia must be worn without any additional accessories or adornments during the ceremony and while crossing the stage.
Once gowned, all grads must go to the Marshaling Room one hour before their ceremony start time. You will meet your Program Marshal and be placed in alphabetical order.
There is no secure storage space available in the Marshaling Room or Ballroom. You are advised to leave personal items such as purses, coats and cameras with your guests. For more information, please review the Convocation FAQ page.
2. The Procession
Graduates will be marshaled out of the Marshaling Room 20 minutes before the ceremony start time. The procession will be broken into two groups. Please remain in your own line and in original position at all times. We ask that you remain standing at your chair until the Master of Ceremonies has approached the podium.
3. Ceremony
To limit distractions or delays, guests and graduates are asked to remain seated until the entire ceremony is complete. Devices should be turned off or on silent mode.
Your ceremony will take about 90 minutes. The basic ceremony structure is as follows:
- Opening remarks
- Board of Governors remarks
- President's remarks
- Presenting of the Honorary Degree
- Awarding of credentials
A live stream of Convocation has been developed for your convenience and to share with your loved ones. Links to the live stream, as well as archived videos from past ceremonies.
4. Crossing the Stage
When the conferring of credentials is about to begin, event staff will direct rows of students to rise and follow their Program Marshal to the stage. There will be two graduates at any one time on the stage waiting to go forward to the President and the Chair of the Board of Governors.
You will stop on the stage and hand your name card to the person collecting the cards for the name caller. As your name is read out, you will proceed across the stage, pausing to stand facing the President and the Chair. The President will say "Congratulations" and you will shake their hand and the Chair's hand. You will then receive a folder and continue across the stage and down the exit ramp. If you are a Bachelor of Nursing graduate you will move your tassel from the right to the left side after you receive your folder.
After crossing the stage, graduates will return to their seat until Convocation has been officially dismissed by the Master of Ceremonies.
Note: any grads who leave the Ballroom before the ceremony is complete will be asked to return their gown immediately. Photo opportunities with gowns and regalia will only be available before and after Convocation ceremonies.
5. Reception
After the ceremony, the Platform Party will be first to leave the Ballroom followed by the graduates. The graduates are to remain in their places until a Marshal directs each row to leave the Ballroom. Guests and graduates are invited to find each other to enjoy light refreshments in the reception area, take photos and celebrate their special day!
6. Return your Gown
Graduates will have 45 minutes to celebrate and take pictures before returning their gown. When graduates are ready to leave, they can return their gown and regalia to event staff before exiting the Toronto Congress Centre.
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