U of T prepares to celebrate graduating students at fall convocation

As the weather grows crisp and its three campuses are set ablaze with gold and red foliage, the University of Toronto is preparing to celebrate graduating students with ceremonies at Convocation Hall.

More than 5,600 students are eligible to graduate as members of the Class of 2022 this fall – with more than 3,800 scheduled to cross the stage during 10 convocation ceremonies to be held between Nov. 7 and Nov. 10.

Continuing a rich tradition, the in-person ceremonies will include organ music, convocation speakers, hoods and gowns, a bedel carrying U of T’s gold-plated mace and an Eagle Feather Bearer – the latter drawn from members of the Indigenous community, including students, staff, faculty, alumni and Elders. The Eagle Feather was first incorporated into U of T’s convocation ceremonies this spring as a symbol of the university’s commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.

In addition, the 51-bell carillon will ring out from atop Soldiers’ Tower after each ceremony.

“On behalf of the entire University of Toronto, I would like to extend congratulations to all of our students graduating this fall,” said U of T President Meric Gertler. “You have all overcome challenging circumstances to arrive at this milestone – and in doing so you have demonstrated perseverance, resilience and optimism.

“We are immensely proud of your achievements and look forward to celebrating this occasion with you in Convocation Hall.”

Fall convocation kicks off with the Faculty of Arts & Science on Nov. 7 and continues through Nov. 10 (see the full schedule here).  Graduating students will collect their regalia and assemble for the procession at the Myhal Centre for Engineering Innovation & Entrepreneurship.

In keeping with the university’s mask-friendly policy, graduating students, their families and friends are welcome to mask while on campus and are asked to respect others’ decisions, comfort levels and health needs.

The ceremonies themselves begin with a chancellor’s procession that includes President Gertler, Chancellor Rose Patten, the bedel and esquires. Graduating students will be presented on the stage one-by-one in alphabetical order.

Each ceremony will also be livestreamed at U of T’s Convocation Hub.

Graduating students from the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, the Faculty of Dentistry, the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy and the Dalla Lana School of Public Health will be joined by honorary degree recipient Annette Kennedy, president emeritus of the International Council of Nurses, on Nov. 8.

Chancellor Patten said she is looking forward to conferring the degrees.

“It will be an honour to share your special day, as you reach this moment of personal triumph,” Chancellor Patten said. “Your dedication to the pursuit of knowledge and life-long learning, and your commitment to leadership and service, make you an inspiration for the entire University of Toronto community.”

Following the ceremony, graduates will process from Convocation Hall onto Galbraith Road, which will be temporarily closed to traffic.

Students and guests can head to the U of T Bookstore to have their degrees framed or purchase souvenirs. A photobooth will also be set up inside the bookstore.

Graduates are encouraged to take photos with their friends and families (#UofTGrad22) at a variety of picturesque locations across the three campuses as Front Campus continues to undergo construction related to the Landmark Project, including the installation of a geoexchange system that will significantly reduce U of T’s carbon footprint.