There are many events for graduating students. The following events are open to their guests.

Spring at CMU, An Evening of Celebration | Friday, April 24 7:00 PM

• Laudamus Auditorium at CMU (500 Shaftesbury Blvd.)
• All are welcome to this event featuring CMU choirs and reflections from graduating students. Reception to follow.

Lunch Reception | Saturday, April 25 11:30 AM

• Marpeck Commons at CMU (2299 Grant Ave.)
• This reception is for graduates, their guests, faculty, and staff. RSVP required. Graduates are responsible to RSVP for all their guests.

Convocation Ceremony | Saturday, April 25 2:30 PM (doors open 1:30 PM)

• Knox United Church (400 Edmonton St.)
• Tickets required for all guests. Convocation will be livestreamed (see below for more information).

CMU is located at 500 Shaftesbury Blvd. CMU Campus Map with Parking

Knox United Church is located at 400 Edmonton St. Knox United Church Location Map and Parking Information

Tickets are required for guests attending the convocation ceremony.

• Graduating students are responsible for reserving and distributing tickets to their guests.
• Guests will be required to show their tickets (digital or printed) at the door.

Accessible and gender-neutral washrooms:

• CMU: accessible and gender-neutral washrooms are available throughout the CMU campus. In Marpeck Commons, accessible stalls are available in the washrooms on the main floor and accessible, single-person washrooms are available on the upper level (mezzanine).
• Knox: accessible washrooms at the church can only be reached through the doors at the front of the sanctuary. Single-person washrooms on the main floor are limited.

Diaper-changing stations:

• Diaper-changing stations are available in washrooms throughout the CMU campus.

All the venues for graduation weekend are accessible. See the Location and Maps section for parking information.

Convocation ceremony:

• Guests with limited mobility can be dropped off near the east doors of Knox United Church. Ushers at the doors will be available to assist.
• Please note that the balcony is only accessible by stairs.
• Accessible washrooms at Knox are limited. See the Washrooms section for more information.

There are many opportunities to take pictures as we celebrate CMU graduates.

Before the ceremony:

• There are many good picture spots around campus, both indoor and outdoor. During the lunch reception at CMU, there will be a photo backdrop in the library.

During the ceremony:

• Please remain seated to take pictures of graduates as they process into the sanctuary.
• A CMU photographer will take pictures of each graduate as they receive their degree parchment. These pictures will be available at the CMU Media Centre (media.cmu.ca/cat/photo).
• When graduates are crossing the stage, there will be a pause for a chance for guests to take a picture. Guests are welcome to come to the front but please do not block the aisle for those watching from the pews.

After the ceremony:

• Graduates will recess through the back of the sanctuary in the recessional and move directly outside the building.
• There will be a group cap toss in the park across the street, followed by a short time for pictures with friends and family. Graduates must return their gowns before leaving the premises.

Convocation is both a formal and celebratory event. Here are some things you can expect during the ceremony:

• Doors will open at 1:30 PM. The ceremony will last approximately 1.5 hours.
• The ceremony begins with a processional of graduates, faculty, and staff.
• There will be singing (by a choir and the audience), prayers, speeches, presentation of the CMU PAX Award, and conferring of the degrees (when the graduates cross the stage). Every graduating student is celebrated, even if they are not in attendance.
• Valedictorian speeches: a valedictorian exemplifies the ideals of a CMU education, embodies leadership within the learning community, and represents the graduating class at convocation. The valedictorians (one graduate and one undergraduate) are elected by the graduating class.
• Grad verse: the grad verse is a piece of scripture that represents the graduating class, who they are and where they are going as they leave CMU. It is on the grad photo composite and is used for various graduation events. The grad verse is chosen by the graduating class.
• For more information about the PAX award and past recipients, see CMU PAX Award.

Livestream feeds will be available for both Spring at CMU and the convocation ceremony. Links will be posted closer to the events.