Student AffairsGraduation
Convocation marks the culmination of a student's career at Queen's, but it also represents the rewarding and enriching mentorship provided by members of our faculty and staff.
Our ceremonies are a celebration of the successful partnership between student and educator – an enduring legacy. Queen's faculty and staff play an important part in this auspicious occasion and their participation is always welcomed.
Academic Procession
The Academic Procession assembles 40 minutes prior to the start of each convocation ceremony.
Dates, times, and Honorary graduands for all convocation ceremonies will be available on https://www.queensu.ca/registrar/graduation/fall-2024-graduation
To confirm your participation in the Academic Procession at convocation, please submit your RSVP via the Online Regalia Request/Reservation Form before Monday, November 4, 2024.
Please note that this form is for Faculty (Teaching staff) only. Graduating students are instructed to order their regalia via the graduating student online portal.
Those faculty members who are also Queen's graduates and require a hood and/or gown for convocation can reserve regalia matching their Queen's degree. Faculty who are not Queen's graduates may be able to request a plain black robe for the procession.
Receptions are the responsibility of the faculty or school concerned, and faculty members are encouraged to attend these functions to meet with graduands and their families.
The full listing of ceremonies, dates and times, as well as participating programs, can be found at:
https://www.queensu.ca/registrar/graduation/fall-2024-graduation
For faculty members who require regalia, we will reserve:
- For graduates of Queen's University, the appropriate hood and gown combination for their Queen's degree; or,
- A black gown (no hood) for those who do NOT hold a Queen's-issued degree
The RSVP form is used for confirming attendance at one (or more) of our ceremonies, and for reserving academic regalia (if required).
Please RSVP attendance and reserve your regalia on the online booking form
Please note that this form is for Faculty (Teaching staff) only. Graduating students are instructed to order their regalia via the graduating student online portal.
Those requiring regalia are asked to place their order before Monday November 4, 2024.
PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO INVENTORY LIMITATIONS, WE ARE UNABLE TO GUARANTEE REGALIA FOR REQUESTS RECEIVED AFTER THE AFOREMENTIONED DATES.
Those requiring further assistance are encouraged to e-mail: graduand@queensu.ca or call extension 74050
The full schedule of Fall 2024 ceremonies can be viewed at: https://www.queensu.ca/registrar/graduation/fall-2024-graduation
Please note that non-faculty members of the Board of Trustees, Senate and University Council are NOT required to reserve regalia or participate in the Academic Procession. Seating will be provided in the Reserved Section in at each event / venue.
Board/Senate/Council members who are also faculty and require regalia are asked to place their order before Monday November 4.
Please note that this form is for Board of Trustees / Senate / University Council members only. Graduating students are instructed to order their regalia via the graduating student online portal.
Chancellor's Procession
The Chancellor is the highest officer, and ceremonial head, of the university.
Modeled after similar positions at Scottish universities, this office was created in 1874, and first filled in 1877. It was enshrined into law in 1882.
For the purposes of convocation, the Chancellor presides over the ceremony, and represents the authority by which degrees, diplomas, and certificates are conferred.
At convocation, the Chancellor leads his or her own procession, which includes the University Principal, and the University Rector. This procession may also include Honorary Degree recipients, as well as any other individuals as may be specified.
The current Chancellor of Queen's University is Hon. Murray Sinclair, LLB MSC IPC
Marshals
Marshal is a term used in several official titles of various branches of society - in academia, politics, law enforcement, and in the military.
The word derives from the Old High German marah (meaning horse) and schalh (meaning servant), and originally meant "stablekeeper." As Marshals became valued members of Medieval European courts, this title grew both in stature and prominence. Over the preceding centuries, the title of Marshal has been used in relation to many prominent positions or offices.
A university marshal often leads, or guides, graduates in a procession to the location where the graduating ceremony, or convocation, takes place.
In our convocations, the Marshal is often a ranking member of the university's faculty or administration. Their duties include instructing the various processions (Academic, Chancellor's, and Graduate) on how to enter the Convocation Hall, as well as directing each group to their respective place when they arrive.
Their role ensures that the key participants in the convocation ceremony are in the proper position in a timely and orderly fashion.