UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA CONVOCATION CEREMONY

We created a convocation ceremony for students who were unable to walk the stage during the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the large number of graduates and supporting attendees, we moved this graduation off campus for the first time in history, planning two separate ceremonies, one in the morning for the 2020 graduates, and one in the afternoon for the class of 2021. Each person, depending on which department they were graduating from was assigned a different gown and sash - an important visual signifier of their completed degrees. 

While this ceremony was presented in a new location and had new elements, it was deeply rooted in traditional protocol, and therefore it was important to honour many procedures that were put in place over 100 years ago [1877]. An important tradition for the Indigenous students is to take a picture in front of the Migizii Agamic Building, the Indigenous Student Centre, immediately following the ceremony, however due to the new location this wasn’t able to happen. We solved this problem by creating a 3D hexagon photo op that included images of the Indigenous building and other significant imagery. 

In total, we had 5 different photo ops, including the double-sided 3D hexagon installation and an instagram-worthy balloon display. With graduates, family members and friends moving throughout the space before the ceremony and at the reception, the photo ops were the perfect installation to commemorate the day. 

Fun Fact: This project took place in the same week and at the same location as another one of our events, which allowed us to share elements such as AV and decor pieces!

Seeing the faces of the graduates and their family members beam with pride as they walked the stage to collect their degrees was nothing short of a *whizbang*!