Convocation
Congratulations graduate – we can’t wait to celebrate with you!
Georgian College hosts convocation ceremonies in June and October each year.
The Automotive Business School of Canada (ABSC) hosts a convocation ceremony every October.
| Apply to graduate period | Graduation term (month) | Convocation month |
| May – August | Summer (August) | October |
| September-December | Fall (December) | June |
| January-April | Winter (April) | June |
Ceremony dates, times and locations
October 10, 2024 (ABSC)
Graduates of the Automotive Business academic area from December 2023 to August 2024 will be recognized at the ABSC ceremony held at the Georgian Theatre, Barrie Campus.
Theatre doors will open at 1 p.m. and the ceremony will begin at 2 p.m.
October 21, 2024
Graduates of August 2024 will be recognized at the fall ceremonies in October. All ceremonies are held at the Gateway Entertainment Centre in Rama, ON.
Gown rental will open in September.
Ceremony breakdowns will be posted by September 20.
June 16-18, 2025
December 2024 and April 2025 graduates will be recognized at the spring ceremonies in June. All ceremonies are held at the Gateway Entertainment Centre in Rama, ON.
Gown rental will open at the end of April.
Ceremony breakdowns will be posted by May 15.
Academic and Career Entrance
Addictions: Treatment and Prevention
Advertising and Marketing Communications
Anishnaabemowin and Program Development
Architectural Technician
Architectural Technology
Autism and Behavioral Sciences
Aviation Management
Aviation Management, Co-op
Baking and Pastry Arts
Bookkeeping
Business
Business – Accounting
Business – Accounting, Co-op
Business – Entrepreneurship
Business – Marketing
Business – Marketing, Co-op
Business Administration
Business Administration – Accounting
Business Administration – Human Resources
Business Fundamentals
Business Management
Business, Co-op
Cabinetmaking Techniques
Carpentry Techniques
Child and Youth Care
Civil Engineering Technician
Civil Engineering Technology
Community and Justice Services
Construction Techniques
Culinary Management
Culinary Skills – Chef Training
Developmental Services Worker
Early Childhood Education
Educational Assistant Apprentice – Advanced
Electrical Engineering Technician
Electrical Engineering Technology
Electrical Techniques
Electromechanical Engineering Technology – Mechatronics
Environmental Technician
Environmental Technology
Fitness and Health Promotion
Food and Nutrition Management
Gas Technician
General Arts and Science – English for Academic Purposes
General Arts and Science – Liberal Studies
General Arts and Science – Liberal Studies Foundation
General Arts and Science – Shki Miikan (New Road)
Global Business Management
Golf Industry Management
Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician
Honours Bachelor of Business Administration (Golf Management)
Honours Bachelor of Business Administration (Management and Leadership)
Honours Bachelor of Counselling Psychology
Honours Bachelor of Police Studies
Hospitality – Hotel and Resort Operations Management
Hospitality Administration – Hotel and Resort
Human Resources Management
Indigenous Community and Social Development
Law Clerk
Marine Engineering Technology
Marine Technology – Navigation
Marketing Management
Mechanical Engineering Technology
Mechanical Engineering Technology, Co-op
Mechanical Technician – Precision Skills
Mechanical Techniques – Marine Engine Mechanic
Mechanical Techniques – Small Engine Mechanic
Medical Transcription – Health Records
Office Administration – Executive
Office Administration – Executive, Co-op
Office Administration – General
Office Administration – Health Services
Paralegal
Police Foundations
Power Engineering Technology
Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training
Protection, Security and Investigation
Recreation and Leisure Services
Recreation and Leisure Services, Co-op
Social Service Worker
Supply Chain Management – Global
Therapeutic Recreation
Tourism
Welding Techniques
Acupuncture
Advanced Care Paramedic
Art and Design Fundamentals
Artificial Intelligence – Architecture, Design and Implementation
Big Data Analytics
Biotechnology – Health
Communicative Disorders Assistant
Computer Programming
Computer Programming and Analysis
Computer Programming, Co-op
Computer Systems Technician – Networking
Computer Systems Technician – Networking, Co-op
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity , Co-op
Dental Assisting (Levels I and II)
Digital Content Creation and Strategy
Enhanced Practice for Internationally Educated Nurses – Complex Care
Esthetician
Fine Arts
Gerontology and Palliative Care – Interprofessional Practice
Graphic Design
Graphic Design Production
Hairstyling
Hairstyling Techniques – Apprenticeship
Information Systems Security
Interactive Media Design – Web
Interactive Media Design – Web, Co-op
Interior Decorating
Kitchen and Bath Design
Massage Therapy
Medical Laboratory Assistant
Mental Health – Interprofessional Practice
Mobile Application Development
Museum and Gallery Studies
Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant
Opticianry
Paramedic
Personal Support Worker
Pharmacy Technician
Practical Nursing
Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Diplomas and Degrees
Project Management
Registered Nurse – Critical Care Nursing
Research Analyst
Veterinary Assistant
Veterinary Technician
Convocation policies
Georgian College convocation late arrival policy
The graduate procession will begin on time for all convocation ceremonies. Once the procession has begun, any late arrivals will wait in a designated area until the procession is complete and all students are seated.
Event staff will permit late arrivals to participate in the ceremony, provided they arrive no later than 15 minutes after the start of the ceremony. Any student arriving later than 15 minutes past the ceremony start will not be permitted to cross the stage. Alternate options may be provided, and students will have the ability to obtain their credential.
Late arrivals will be ushered to the side entrance of the stage and will be seated behind the last group of students and be the last to cross the stage.
Arrival procedures
Graduates are asked to arrive 60 minutes before the scheduled ceremony time. Upon your arrival, signs and staff will direct you to the registration area. The gowning area will not be secured and we cannot guarantee the safety of your personal possessions. We strongly advise that you do not bring purses, hats, or valuables with you to the gowning area. Instead, please leave these articles with your guests. Please note: Guests and family (including children) are not allowed to accompany graduates into the gowning or graduate seating areas. Your family and guests will be directed to the public seating area and you may reconnect with them at the completion of the ceremony.
After the ceremony
Your ceremony is expected to last approximately two hours. We ask graduates and guests to be considerate and remain seated for the duration of the ceremony. Please ensure that your gown is returned promptly to the gowning area after you have taken photos with your friends and family.
ay reconnect with them at the completion of the ceremony.
Attendance
Student are not eligible to defer their convocation ceremony.
Certificate and Recognition of Acheivment programs are not eligible to participate in convocation.
Event information
Tickets and seating
Graduates are able to bring as many guests as they would like to the convocation ceremonies. Guests do not require tickets. Seating is first-come, first-served.
Arrival time
Doors open one hour before the scheduled start time. Guests should be seated no less than 15 minutes before the start time. Guests who arrive late may be asked to wait to be seated if the ceremony has begun.
Accessibility
We will do our best to accommodate your needs upon your arrival. Our facilities are wheelchair accessible.
Children
A typical ceremony lasts approximately two hours in which young children may find it difficult to sit quietly for the duration of the ceremony. Children who are attending must be supervised by an adult in the audience. Children are not permitted to sit with the graduating student, nor are they permitted to cross the stage with the graduating student.
Food and drinks
Food and drinks are not permitted in the convocation ceremony, with the exception of bottled water. You are invited to the Alumni reception following the ceremony where light refreshments will be available.
Flowers, gifts and diploma frames
Surprise your graduate with a bouquet of flowers. Flowers are available for purchase at all convocation ceremonies. You may also purchase flowers online in advance for the convocation ceremonies through Convocation Flowers, one of our Alumni Association partners.
Georgian Stores has a great selection of clothing, grad rings, gifts and diploma frames available for purchase.
Graduation information
How to apply to graduate
Frequently asked questions
Graduation is the successful completion of a student’s program. Graduate status is used for employment, immigration purposes and for admittance into another program. Once deemed a graduate, students can obtain official transcripts for proof of education.
Convocation is the celebratory event that brings graduates and their loved ones together to recognize their achievement. Graduates receive their official credential at the convocation ceremony.
All applications are entered into our convocation queue to be reviewed at the end of the term. Applications are reviewed individually to ensure all requirements have been met. Due to the high volume of applications received, this process can take up to six weeks after the term ends.
Ensure all outstanding fees and fines are paid in full, and all outstanding book/equipment rentals have been cleared. If you owe fees or parking fines, or if you have outstanding rentals or library books, you may attend the convocation ceremony, but we are not able to release your credential or transcript until your account has been cleared. In addition, we cannot produce an enrolment letter or release your name to an external third party (e.g., for board exams).
You will not be required to go through the casino to access the convocation ceremony. Gateway Entertainment Centre, situated on the Casino Rama property, is housed in its own distinct building with a dedicated parking lot and separate entrance. Access to the Gateway Entertainment Centre will only be granted through the exterior entrance. Any interior entrances connecting it to the rest of the Casino Rama resort will be closed during the convocation events. Additionally, we’ll have clear signage in the parking lots and entrances directing you to the convocation events, and any interior sight lines to the gaming floor will be blocked for the duration of the event.
Gateway Entertainment Centre is situated at the Casino Rama property located at 5899 Rama Road, Rama, ON near Orillia.
Travel directions by car to Gateway Entertainment Centre, Rama, ON:
(Please note: when entering a destination into your navigation system, enter ‘Casino Rama Resort’.)
From south: Take Highway 400 North. Continue onto Highway 11 North. Exit onto Rama Road and follow the signs to Casino Rama Resort.
From north: Take Highway 400 South. Exit onto County Road 44 toward Coldwater/Rama Road. Turn right onto County Road 44. Continue onto Rama Road and follow the signs to Casino Rama Resort.
The Georgian College Students’ Association (GCSA) co-ordinates photography with Lassman Studios. For portrait sittings before convocation, visit Lassman Studios Photography and enter Georgian as your school ID to book your photo session. Please note: Portrait sittings are campus specific and added to the calendar periodically. We encourage graduates to connect with Lassman Studios directly with date inquiries.
Livestreaming
Attend the convocation ceremony virtually
We stream our convocation ceremonies so that loved ones near and far who cannot attend in person can watch their graduate cross the stage. Please visit our YouTube Playlist.
At Georgian College, we respect the need to protect personal information. Pursuant to section 39(2) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA), students’ images, names, program, degree/diploma/certificate earned and year of graduation as they appear in convocation programs and in webcasts are considered public information. Participants acknowledge that by attending convocation, their image and/or voice may be captured by photograph, videotape, audiotape, live webcasting and otherwise reproduced during the ceremonies. This personal information is collected under the legal authority of the Ontario Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology Act, 2002 and in accordance with Sections 38(2) and 41(1) of FIPPA.
Personal information will be broadcast through live webcasting for the purpose of enabling individuals who are unable to attend convocation to view the ceremonies. Any information captured through photograph, videotape or audiotape may be used for promotional, administrative, educational or research purposes. Personal information may be disclosed to outside service providers for processing and production. If you have any questions about the collection of personal information by Georgian College during convocation, please contact the Office of the Registrar by telephone at 705.728.1968 or by email. For more information about FIPPA, please contact Georgian’s Access and Privacy Office by telephone at 705.722.5189 or by email.
Contact us
Georgian’s convocation team supports students through the graduation and convocation process and creates a celebratory ceremony at which graduates are recognized for their academic achievements.
Advancement and Alumni Relations
c/o Convocation
One Georgian Dr.
Barrie, ON L4M 3X9
Please contact us via email and our team will respond within two business days.
convocation@georgiancollege.ca
