Crossing the Stage: 60 years of convocation

From exuberant tears of joy to slight laughs of embarrassment, every University of Calgary convocation ceremony of the last 60 years tells a story with the full spectrum of emotions.

It’s a day of transition as students become alumni, dreaming of their futures as they hear inspiring words from the university president, chancellor, dignitaries and other special guests. Then, one by one, every student breathes a sigh of relief as they hear their name called and they cross the Jack Simpson Gymnasium stage and celebrate their accomplishment with family, friends and supporters. 

Each convocation ceremony is the culmination of years’ worth of work by students and months of planning behind the scenes to allow for memorable days for everyone involved.

Humble beginnings

The first official University of Calgary convocation happened on April 16, 1966.

Less than 24 hours earlier, the Alberta legislature had passed an amendment to the Provincial Universities Act, providing a change of name and autonomy for what had been the University of Alberta at Calgary.

It was a momentous occasion for the newly autonomous institution, as Dr. H.S. Armstrong was officially installed as the first president and vice-chancellor. He was actually selected for the role two years earlier, but he delayed the installation until autonomy was granted.

With more than 1,000 people in attendance for convocation, in his inaugural address Armstrong urged the UCalgary community to consider the broad implications of knowledge and new discoveries, as well its long-term impact.

“Even if the real truth hurts, how pitiful that anyone would want to remain in ignorance,” Armstrong told the crowd.

He also emphasized that students should be given an increased voice in the operation of the university, adding that the image of “irresponsible hangers-on should not be allowed to tarnish the worthwhile viewpoints coming from the student body.”

It was the first of what would become 60 years (and counting) of inspirational speeches on a convocation stage.

Celebrating our graduands

From a single ceremony in April 1966, convocation has continued to grow on an almost yearly basis.

Spring convocation expanded to two ceremonies (one in the morning and one in the afternoon) in May 1970, and then to three days in 1993. It now takes 11 ceremonies over six days to accommodate the thousands of graduating students.

UCalgary's Fall convocation, despite having fewer graduates, has also grown to include three ceremonies over two days.

To support what has become a massive undertaking, hundreds of volunteers are needed behind the scenes, including ambassadors, degree distributors, ushers, robing room assistants and people to pin hoods.

It’s a well-oiled machine as everyone does everything needed to make sure each graduand is in line and ready to be seated — or at least in the right place if they run in a few minutes late.

And then … it’s show time.

Lifting people up

Colleen Bangs, BA’03, is lovingly referred to as “UCalgary’s biggest convocation cheerleader,” having taken part in convocation ceremonies since 2012.

An alum herself, she started her career at the university as the director of Career Services and now serves as the executive director of alumni engagement.

“I have always loved convocation because it’s an important reminder of why we are all here,” Bangs says. “Convocation marks the literal moment that the alumni community expands; it feels very good to be a part of welcoming them.” 

She says it’s easy to smile for each ceremony as everyone is in such a celebratory mood, hoping to make it special for each graduand.

Through the speeches and formalities, Bangs says there’s one moment in each ceremony that gives her goosebumps every time.

“Right before the Graduate Pledge is read, the distinguished graduate speaker asks all of the alumni in the audience to stand and read the pledge with the graduands,” she says. “It gets me every time. I’m often on the stage as a marshal and get this great view of what the power of community looks like, and it's pretty special.”

Looking back on all the convocations she has witnessed, Bangs says one of her favourite stories goes back to 2016 when Canadian basketball coach Jay Triano, Hon. LLD’16, received an honorary doctorate.

Bangs says Triano was one of the most inspiring convocation speakers she’s ever heard.

“He told a story about going to school at Simon Fraser University with Terry Fox, who taught him about resilience and tenacity, which was a transformational moment for him,” Bangs says. “What I loved about Mr. Triano's speech was that it was clear his goal was to impart wisdom and lift people up, and you could see the impact on the faces of everyone in crowd.”

Having done it twice herself and numerous other times in her roles with the UCalgary Alumni Association (UCAA) and the UCalgary Senate, Dr. Kate Wong, BN’12, PhD’25, says every ceremony is similar in many ways, but something new always seems to make its way in.

From loud cheers to props, many families like to do something special, including one convocation from a few years ago where Wong remembers a family brought a giant banner of their graduand’s face and unfurled it as he walked across the stage.

“They were at the back of the Jack, and it was very visible from the platform and directly in the graduand’s line of sight,” Wong says. “I could see that he was equal parts touched and mortified, but it was a memorable way to show how proud his family was of him.”

An opportunity to be inspired

Not every convocation ceremony goes according to plan, especially when a pandemic shuts down the world.

Wong joined the UCAA board in 2020, just as in-person convocation ceremonies had to be cancelled due to COVID-19.

Despite the challenges, the university did everything in its power to honour its graduates after restrictions were lifted and she felt compelled to be a part of all graduation festivities, especially to support those in the Faculty of Nursing and Cumming School of Medicine after such a challenging time in our history.

Wong has since handed out thousands of alumni pins after students cross the stage and receive their degree, and says it never gets old.

“Watching children cheer for their parents as they cross the platform is a major highlight for me,” she says. “The kids will often come down to the bleachers near where we hand out alumni pins to wave to their parents. It’s such a great moment for those families and I get to hand out ‘future grad’ pins, as well.”

As UCalgary continues to grow, so do the needs around convocation, and Wong is hopeful more people see how truly special the ceremonies are and seize the opportunity of volunteering.

“Earning a degree is a huge accomplishment and I enjoy watching how proud the graduands are of their achievements,” she says. “I also love hearing the enthusiasm and pride from families and friends in attendance. It’s truly a special time.”

UCalgary’s Spring 2026 Convocation is scheduled for June 3-10.