Rick Mercer will deliver the 2020 keynote address. Mercer was a 2010 UBC honorary degree recipient.
Virtual ceremony takes place Wednesday as more than 1,900 students graduate
UBC Okanagan's Convocation of 2020 will go down in history as a unique event. Instead of students, parents and faculty joining together on campus, the celebrations will be held virtually.
"The context of 2020 has made necessary a very different approach to our graduation ceremony this year," says Deborah Buszard, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Principal of UBC's Okanagan campus. "While the ceremony will be virtual, the remarkable achievements of our students are very real and worthy of recognition. I invite everyone to join me in celebrating the Class of 2020."
This year, 1,925 students have qualified for convocation from UBC Okanagan-that includes 1,600 undergraduates, more than 270 students who have earned a master's degree and 45 newly-conferred doctorate degrees.
While convocation is a time of celebration, it's also a time of long-kept traditions. The program will begin with Chancellor Lindsay Gordon presiding over the virtual ceremony. UBC President and Vice-Chancellor Santa J. Ono and Buszard will both address the Class of 2020 live, dressed in full academic regalia. And graduates will have an opportunity to take a virtual selfie with President Ono.
UBC has arranged for Canadian icon and comedian Rick Mercer to deliver the 2020 keynote address. Mercer was a 2010 UBC honorary degree recipient.
Students have had the opportunity to purchase graduation regalia, special graduation gifts, create a personalized commemorative graduation video clip, download congratulatory signs and sign a guest book with congratulatory messages.
