Convocation 2024

Here is some key information to note ahead of the Convocation Ceremony:

Convocation Cap Pick-Up and Decoration Event:

• NSCAD grads have the option of wearing academic dress (the black gown and graduation cap) to their Convocation ceremony. This is not a requirement, though a number of our graduates do choose to wear academic dress.
• Regardless of whether you wear academic dress, all graduates who are attending the Convocation ceremony are welcome to pick up a black cap from the Registrar’s Office as a memento of your big day. You can decorate and wear this cap in whatever manner you choose.
• These caps will be available for pick-up at the Office of Student Experience (OSE) on the 2^nd Floor of the Duke Building (Fountain Campus) during office hours (9:00am to 4:00pm) starting Friday, April 19.

Invitation Pick-Up starts on Friday, May 10:

• Guest invitations will be available for pick-up at the Office of Student Experience (OSE) on the 2^nd Floor of the Duke Building (Fountain Campus) during office hours (9:00am to 4:00pm).
  • Each graduate will receive a maximum of 3 invitations, the number you receive will coincide with the number you requested on your RSVP form.
  • Graduates do not require their own invitations to attend the ceremony.
  • We have distributed the majority of invitations we are able to for the ceremony. There may be a limited number of invitations available at the door to the Auditorium. These invitations will be distributed starting at 1:00 p.m. on a first come, first served basis. We can only guarantee seating for individuals with an invitation.
  • Extra invitations are not available from the OSE.

Gown Pick-Up starts on Friday, May 10:

• If you indicated that you would like to wear an academic gown for the Convocation ceremony, you will be able to pick up the gown from the OSE when you pick up your invitations starting on Friday, May 10.
• Your gown must be returned to the returns table at the Light House Arts Centre once the Convocation ceremony has concluded. There will be signage indicating the spot where you will return your gown.
• MFA, MDES, and MAED students who are wearing the black gown also have the option of borrowing or purchasing their academic hood to wear at the ceremony. This option will be explained to you when you pick up your gown.

Instructions for Convocation Ceremony Day, Tuesday, May 14:

Parking and Venue Access

• There is lots of great information on the Light House website letting folks know how to find the venue, where to park, and what to do in the area.
• Visit the Light House Arts Centre website’s “Start Here” section for further information.

Graduate Arrival Time, Line-up and assembly

• Graduates are asked to arrive at the Light House Arts Centre between 1:00pm and 1:15pm to begin the graduate lineup process. There will be volunteer wayfinders and signage to help direct you to the lineup space.
• The space we will be using at the venue is essentially a very long hallway, so please consider wearing lighter clothing as the hallway could get a little warm during the lineup process. We will have fans and water on hand to help with the heat.
• Volunteers will be on site to help line you up. To keep the process as efficient as possible, we ask that you listen closely to volunteer instructions so that we can have everyone lined up and ready to go as quickly as possible.

Name cards

• You will be handed a name card during the lineup process that you must carry with you until you hand it to the Orator onstage during the ceremony. It’s very important to hold onto that name card once it’s in your hand. You are encouraged to write the phonetic pronunciation of your name (your name as it sounds when it is said out loud) on the name card once you receive it to help the Orator who will say your name when it’s time to cross the stage.
• It is important to remain in the order you are placed during the graduate lineup, as your order coincides with the order the degrees will be organized onstage, and we want to ensure we hand each graduate the correct degree onstage!

Guests arrival time

• The doors to the auditorium will open at 1:30pm to begin audience seating. For the comfort of your guests, please ask them to arrive at the venue after 1:00pm so that they do not have to stand and wait very long before the doors to the auditorium are open.
• All guests should arrive no later than 1:50pm.

What to expect during the ceremony

• Graduation ceremonies are typically 2 hours in length.
• Graduates will be assisted by ushers when the time comes to cross the stage and receive their degree. An usher will line up graduates by row and will indicate to each row when it’s time to stand and approach the stage.
• A second usher will be waiting at the foot of the stage to let you know when it’s time to take the stage. You will hand your name card to the orator at the podium, who will announce your name. You will then cross the stage to receive your degree from Dr. Peggy Shannon, NSCAD President.
• Once you have crossed the stage, a third usher will be available to indicate the way back to your seat.
• The Light House Arts Center is a fully accessible building, however, we encourage you to reach out to us before the ceremony if you or your guests have mobility or other accommodation concerns so that we can ensure everyone is as comfortable as possible during the ceremony.
• A reception with light snacks will be held immediately following the ceremony.

Gown return

• If you are wearing a black gown for the ceremony, you are asked to return it to the area where we lined you up for the ceremony before you leave the venue after the ceremony.  

Onsite Services

• The Art Supply Store will be on-site selling NSCAD rings, branded degree frames, handmade flower bouquets and other mementoes.

  Campus Access Card Returns

• Campus access cards should be returned to the Campus Copy Centre beside the Art Supply Store on the Duke Campus to receive your deposit.