UPEI to hold Convocation celebrations for the classes of 2020 and 2021

 

 

Dear Members of the Class of 2020 and the Class of 2021,

In early November, we announced that Convocation ceremonies for both the Class of 2020 and Class of 2021 would be held in late May 2021 to allow time to plan and to better incorporate public health guidance. Since learning that large organized gatherings will remain restricted this spring and summer, we find ourselves once again needing to adapt our celebrations in order to keep the health and safety of everyone our top priority.

We are excited that UPEI will be able to proceed with seven Convocation celebrations, one for each faculty, that feature both an online and in-person component:

1. The online Presentation of Graduates for the Classes of 2020 and 2021 will allow all graduates to celebrate Convocation from the comfort of their own homes with their loved ones on PEI, across the country, and around the world. The Chancellor of the University, the Hon. Catherine Callbeck, will provide remarks; the Dean of each respective faculty will present the graduates virtually; and graduates will see their photos appear on screen as faculty members announce their names. A Valedictorian from each Faculty will also address their fellow graduates during this presentation that will first premiere on the Convocation date listed below, and then will be available on UPEI’s YouTube channel. 
    
2. Later in the day, after the online component, graduates who are on PEI (or within the Atlantic bubble if in place) are invited to attend a festive, In-Person Convocation Celebration in UPEI’s historic quadrangle to receive their parchment and alumni pin from the Dean. The President and Vice-President Academic and Research will attend each event, and faculty and staff will also be invited to attend. UPEI’s photographer will take a keepsake photo of graduates with their parchment. The events will follow PEI Chief Public Health Office guidance; therefore, due to gathering size restrictions, these receptions are limited to graduates only, who will be split into manageable groups and assigned to a particular time. Family and friends can come to campus to celebrate and take photos with their graduate in other designated locations.

Convocation celebrations will be held as follows.

Friday, May 14, 2021  

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine—The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine will reach out directly to graduates with details.

Wednesday, May 26, 2021

Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Graduate Studies (Master in Global Affairs)

• Online Presentation of Graduates—premieres 8:30 am (ADT) on YouTube
• In-Person Celebration with the Deans—11:30 am–2:00 pm

Faculty of Education

• Online Presentation of Graduates—premieres 10:00 am (ADT) on YouTube
• In-Person Celebration with the Dean—2:30 pm–5:00 pm

Thursday, May 27, 2021
 

Faculty of Business

• Online Presentation of Graduates—premieres 8:30 am (ADT) on YouTube
• In-Person Celebration with the Dean—11:30 am–2:00 pm

Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering

• Online Presentation of Graduates—premieres 10:00 am (ADT) on YouTube
• In-Person Celebration with the Dean—2:30 pm–5:00 pm

Friday, May 28, 2021
 

• Online Presentation of Graduates—premieres 8:30 am (ADT) on YouTube
• In-Person Celebration with the Dean—11:30 am–2:00 pm

Faculty of Science

• Online Presentation of Graduates—premieres 10:00 am (ADT) on YouTube
• In-Person Celebration with the Dean—2:30 pm–5:00 pm

As information becomes available, we will update graduates by email and post it on upei.ca/convocation. We will send more information about:

• how to rent gowns for photos, for either the in-person Convocation Receptions or for home celebrations anywhere in Canada
• how to submit your graduation photo for inclusion in the online Presentation of Graduates
• how to confirm attendance at the in-person Convocation Reception
• the location and when graduates should arrive at their in-person Convocation Reception
• designated campus locations that will be open/available for picture taking

Congratulations on your achievement!

Yours sincerely,


Donna Sutton
Associate Vice-President of Students and Registrar