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A row of students getting ready for the Convocation Ceremony

Convocation Ceremony

Fall 2025 Convocation Ceremony

November 21, 2025. Massey Theatre (735 8th Avenue, New Westminster, BC V3M 2R2)

Graduation vs. Convocation: what is the difference?

Graduation is when you officially complete your program and receive your credential.

The Registrar’s Office handles all graduation applications. Students are eligible to apply for graduation once they have completed, or are about to complete, their final term. All students must complete a formal Graduation Application to receive their credential. To apply, email graduation@alexandercollege.ca. They will check your requirements and help you prepare your Graduation Application package.

Convocation is the celebration ceremony for graduates. Convocation is organized by the Student Life Unit. Eligible students will receive an invitation email from Student Life 1-2 months before the ceremony (to their MyAC email only).

You must apply for graduation in order to receive your credential, even if you do not plan to attend Convocation.

two graduating students

Ceremony Information

Arrival

On the day of the ceremony, the graduates must arrive by 11:30 am to check in, put on their regalia (gown, cap, tassel, and stole), and line up in order. The College will do its best to accommodate late arrivals. 

Guests

Each graduate may invite two guests. Guest tickets must be reserved in advance. Students who miss the reservation deadline are not guaranteed tickets. Guests should arrive early. Seating is first-come, first-served.

Accommodations

If you or your guests require accommodations (wheelchair seating, priority seating, accessible parking, etc.), email studentlife@alexandercollege.ca as soon as possible.

Deferring your Ceremony

If you cannot attend the ceremony, you may defer to a future one. To defer, please email studentlife@alexandercollege.ca. Please plan ahead with family and employers to ensure you can attend.

Graduation Checklist

To ensure that your graduation goes smoothly, please use the list below:

Apply for Graduation

Apply for your graduation by emailing the Office of the Registrar. graduation@alexandercollege.ca

RSVP to the Convocation

All graduates must RSVP to the ceremony.

Reserve Guest Tickets

We strongly recommend students reserve their tickets as soon as possible. All tickets must be reserved in advance.

Student or Guest Accommodation

If you or a guest require accommodation at the event venue (wheelchair seating, parking information, priority seating, etc.), please contact us as soon as possible at studentlife@alexandercollege.ca

Keep Your Information Up to Date

Please check your MyAC account to ensure:

  • Your legal name is correct (for the Convocation program)
  • Your email address is current (so you don’t miss updates)

For more details, check the Convocation FAQs or contact:

Graduation applications: graduation@alexandercollege.ca

Convocation ceremony and guest tickets: studentlife@alexandercollege.ca

Eligibility questions: alumni@alexandercollege.ca or academicadvising@alexandercollege.ca

Inviting Guests

Letter of Invitation

To invite your family to Convocation you will need a Letter of Invitation. Alexander College does not offer Letters of Invitation on behalf of students. These must be written by the individual. For formatting, students may search online for sample templates.

Please wait to submit to your Letter of Invitation until you have officially applied and have been approved to graduate.

Graduation Document Pickup

Students are eligible to pickup their graduation documents shortly after being notified of their graduation status. For more information, please see the Office of the Registrar’s page regarding Graduation here.

Convocation FAQs

A: All graduates collect their graduation documents from the Office of the Registrar. For more information, please see here, Graduation.

A: The ceremony typically takes 2-3 hours dependant on the number of graduates in the given terms.

A: Regalia (gown, cap, tassel and stole) can be collected at the venue before the ceremony. You will need a registered ticket to be able to get the regalia at the venue. Contact studentlife@alexandercollege.ca for more information.

A: Typically the ceremony is formal attire. Please wear something to reflect the esteem of the event. Graduates will have time to take pictures in their gowns or formal attire once the ceremony finishes.

The gown should fall to your mid-calf so your ankles and shoes will be visible.

A: Each student can request more than two guest tickets. However, due to the large number of graduates and limited seating, we request them to be mindful of their peers. After the RSVP deadline has passed, we will make every effort to provide extra tickets if available.

A: Yes, as long as you stay within your seat. We will have professional photographers on site taking pictures of graduates crossing the stage.

A: You will not be able to leave during the ceremony in order to respect the graduates and speaker. The official conferral of degree is done by the Registrar at the end of the ceremony, which you should wait for.

Alexander College acknowledges that the land on which we usually gather is the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work in this territory.

Alexander College acknowledges that the land on which we usually gather is the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work in this territory.