Fall Convocation to be hosted virtually

Fall Convocation to be hosted virtually

November 6, 2020

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Queen’s University will celebrate its newest graduates during Fall Convocation 2020, being held Nov. 10-13.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, these will be the first virtual ceremonies for Queen’s. However, the ceremonies will follow the same structure with special efforts being made to maintain the community feel as well as the university’s traditions.

HONORARY DEGREE RECIPIENT – BRUCE MITCHELL
A noted businessman, Bruce Mitchell (Sc’68) is the founder and CEO of Permian Industries, a management and holding company. He has acquired over 30 businesses, diversifying Permian’s investments across a number of industries. Today, Mitchell’s holding company’s subsidiaries generate annual sales in excess of $2 billion and employ more than 4,000 across North America. He has been active on a number of public company, private corporation, and not-for-profit boards, and was a trustee and councillor of Queen’s, serving as vice-chair of the Board of Trustees. He has also established The Bruce H. Mitchell Foundation and works with his wife Vladka on various philanthropic initiatives.
Mitchell whole-heartedly accepted the invitation to receive his honorary degree virtually, and is honored to address all graduates at Fall 2020 convocation.

“These are extraordinary times, and the limits on how many people can gather together remain in place, but that doesn’t take away from the importance of convocation for our graduates and their family, friends, and supports,” says Principal and Vice-Chancellor Patrick Deane. “This is a time to celebrate each graduate’s achievement, and to mark this special occasion as we always have – as a community.”

Each ceremony will be hosted at Grant Hall with university officials conducting the events as they have for nearly 180 years. The podium party of Chancellor Jim Leech, Principal  Deane, and Rector Sam Hiemstra, will speak to each graduating group, as will the deans of each faculty and a representative from the Queen’s University Alumni Association.

Also speaking will be honorary degree recipient Bruce Mitchell (Sc’68), the lead donor for Mitchell Hall, which opened in March 2019.

Following the conferral of student degrees, each student name will be presented by program/plan. A total of 2,351 graduates will be recognized over eight ceremonies.

Each faculty will host its own ceremony, while another for PhD and Master’s degree recipients will be hosted by the School of Graduate Studies.

Several faculties will also be hosting post-ceremony online celebrations.

FALL CONVOCATION SCHEDULE

Tuesday, Nov. 10, 10 am
School of Graduate Studies (Doctor of Philosophy)
School of Graduate Studies (Master’s and Diploma)

Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2:30 pm
Smith School of Business

Tuesday, Nov. 10, 3:30 pm
Faculty of Health Sciences

Thursday, Nov. 12, 10 am
Faculty of Arts and Science

Thursday, Nov. 12, 2:30 pm
Faculty of Education

Friday, Nov. 13, 10 am
Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science

Friday, Nov. 13, 2:30 pm
Faculty of Law

Recordings of each ceremony can be found and viewed at the Office of the University Registrar website.