Ceremony Schedule & Details - Thunder Bay 2025

Location of Ceremony:

Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, located at 1 Paul Shaffer Dr, Thunder Bay. Students are asked to RSVP prior to the event.

Location of Reception (after ceremony):

Following the ceremony, graduates and their guests are invited to attend a complimentary reception located behind Lakehead University at Lake Tamblyn (weather permitting) and in the Agora (UC building). The reception will include light snacks and refreshments, photo opportunities, and conversation. 

• Regalia rentals will be available to reserve once you receive your RSVP email (around April 2025)
• After you have confirmed your rental you will be issued a receipt from Gaspard Build-A-Grad. Bring this receipt with you to the ceremony - you will need this to pick up your regalia (Ordered your regalia but can’t find your receipt? Contact Gaspard at 1-800-683-4771)
• Haven’t ordered your regalia by the deadline (May 12, 2025)? You will be able to rent your regalia the day of your ceremony for $100. Please be sure to arrive a few minutes early and bring a credit card.
• Regalia can get warm! - Keep this in mind when choosing your outfit. Light clothing is recommended.
• Leave all valuables/bags with your family/friends/supporters - you will not be able to leave anything at your seat and you will not be returning to the same seat.

• Graduating Students: arrive at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium (1 Paul Shaffer Drive). Parking will be available at the venue and/or on the Lakehead University Campus.
• Once you arrive to the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, make your way to the big white tent - there will be lots of signage along the way!
• Please be sure to arrive at the Thunder Bay Auditorium 1.5 hours before your ceremony start time (morning ceremony 7:30 am, afternoon ceremony 12:30 pm). We will begin seating graduates 10 minutes before the ceremony start time.

• Graduates, please make your way to the 'Platform Card' table (located outside the big white tent).

Step #1:

• Head to the Platform Card tables to pick up your platform card - The Platform Card will have your name, faculty, program, and platform number on it. Show this card to the name reader when you cross the stage so keep it handy. The name reader will use it to announce your name as you cross the stage. If you have a name that is normally difficult to pronounce, you may want to use a pen/marker to add a phonetic spelling of your name to the card to assist the reader.

Step #2:

• Pick up your regalia from Gaspard in the big white tent. There will be staff in the area to help get your hood on correctly. Your hood is. the symbol of your credential and will hang around your neck and down your back. Hoods will not be pinned.

Step #3:

• Find your Marshalling area. This is where you will be organized by the number on your platform card. You will be with other graduates from your faculty with the same credentials as you.
  
  Be ready in your respective Marshalling area to get ready to line up and be seated 10 minutes before your ceremony start time. Please leave yourself lots of time to complete the above. There will be lots of staff members and Marshals around to help you! If you’re not sure what you should be doing, please ask!

• After being lined up with your fellow graduates, the Marshals will begin processing you from the marshalling area into the Auditorium. Marshals will guide you to your seats. Please do not leave anything at your seat as you will likely not return to the same seat once you’ve crossed the stage.
• As a reminder, the ceremony will be recorded and streamed live so smile for the camera!

• The ceremony will begin right at the start time of your ceremony (9 am or 2 pm). The order of the proceedings can be found at www.lakeheadu.ca/convocation
• When we get to the “Recognition of Graduates” segment, this is when you will cross the stage! The Marshals will direct you from your seat to the side of the venue. You will walk behind the podium and present your Platform Card to the Name Reader.
• As you cross the stage, your name will be read. You will nod to Chancellor Rita Shelton Deverell and pause for a photograph (no handshaking).
• A photographer will take photos as graduates cross the stage. We ask guests to remain seated so that everyone can see their graduate’s special moment.
• After you cross the stage, you will go behind the black curtains to receive your Alumni scarf and pin.
• You will then return to a seat for the duration of the ceremony.

• Once the ceremony has concluded the Platform Party, Faculty, and graduates will be led out of the venue by the bagpiper.

• Graduates and Guests are invited to join us for light refreshments, photographs and mingling!
• The celebration will take place around Lake Tamblyn and under the President’s Balcony (moved into the Agora if there is inclement weather) back at the Lakehead University campus. Refreshments and snacks will be set up for students and their guests to enjoy.
• Graduates will be able to pick up their parchment from the Faculty Lounge. If you are not the recipient of a major medal/award it will be given to you at this time. Due to the capacity of the room and to keep things moving, only graduates will be permitted in the Faculty Lounge.
• The Agora will be set up with photo walls for photos. The Bookstore will be open for degree frame sales (and anything else Lakehead!).
• Regalia drop off will be in the Agora.

We are very excited to have you join us for this special day and look forward to celebrating your academic achievements! Should you have any questions about the ceremony, please contact convocation@lakeheadu.ca.

For specific inquiries, please contact:
Accessibility Concerns (for graduating students and/or guests in attendance):
convocation@lakeheadu.ca

Regalia Questions (for orders that have already been placed):
Phone: 1-800-683-4771
Email: customer_service@buildagrad.com