To our graduating students and all members of the Laurier community,

Convocation is one of the most joyous occasions in the life of the university. It is a time for faculty, staff, friends and family to come together to celebrate the achievements of our students and the value of higher education.

The Class of 2020 has faced enormous disruption in their academic and personal lives as the university does its part to address the extraordinary COVID-19 global health crisis. We know that as the academic term draws to a close, graduating students are eager to celebrate and share their remarkable achievement with family, friends, fellow students and mentors.

Wilfrid Laurier University is looking forward to hosting this celebration when it is safe to do so. For this reason, the university has decided to postpone spring convocation ceremonies to a future date. This will allow us to hold convocation in-person and on-campus so that graduating students can celebrate together with family, friends and the rest of the Laurier community.

From the beginning of the current pandemic, the university has taken guidance from public health authorities. The latest information makes it clear that social distancing must continue for some time to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Laurier is committed to holding convocation ceremonies as soon as feasible — once large gatherings are again safe and permitted, and when all the celebratory features of a Laurier convocation can be fully implemented.

Although the ceremony will be held later in the year, graduating students will receive their degrees in July 2020. They will be conferred in absentia by Laurier Chancellor Eileen Mercier to ensure that students have their credentials should they need them for graduate programs or employment. Individual degrees will be mailed to students over the summer months.

We also know how important Laurier’s traditional Toast to the Graduating Class is for students in their final year. While the COVID-19 situation does not allow us to hold an in-person event, we are working on plans for a virtual gathering. More details on this to come in the near future.

As our graduates transition to alumni and begin the next stage of their lives, we hope that the education and opportunities for personal growth that they have received at Laurier will equip them to not only survive the challenges of this extraordinary time, but to go on to live lives of leadership and purpose.

We will soon have the opportunity to celebrate these achievements together. When we do, we will do it with all of those who stood by the Class of 2020 as they studied, met new people, opened their hearts and minds to new experiences, volunteered, overcame challenges, and grew as individuals and as members of the Laurier community.

We know that students will have many questions about the postponement of convocation and about receiving their degrees. Please be assured that the university will reach out directly to all graduating students via their Laurier email when we have more information to share.

Thank you for your patience and resolve in these challenging times.

Stay well.