Ontario Tech University honours class of 2020 with virtual celebration
More than 2,200 new graduates receive celebratory boxes and digital degrees
July 29, 2020
For university students, walking across the Convocation stage to receive their degree parchment signals both the end of an era and a new beginning. After years of lectures, labs and late-night studying, the graduation ritual is an opportunity for graduates to celebrate their hard work and academic achievements in the company of their support network: family, friends and classmates.
While Ontario Tech University’s traditional in-person Convocation celebration was not possible in June due to COVID-19 restrictions, the university wanted to do something special to mark the class of 2020’s accomplishments and cheer them on from a distance.
Beginning in early July, specially designed grad boxes were shipped to newly minted alumni, including international grads, who completed their studies at the end of Summer 2019, Fall 2019 and Spring 2020.
The boxes include:
- The graduate’s printed parchment.
- Mortarboard (grad cap).
- Ontario Tech Class of 2020 lawn sign.
- Invitation to participate in the #OntarioTechGrad celebration on social media.
- Nursing students received a letter from Christine Elliot, Deputy Premier of Ontario and a university-branded scrub cap.
The university also launched a dedicated Class of 2020 website, which featured:
- Video messages including congratulations and conferral of degrees from leaders across the university.
- Special messages from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ross Romano, Ontario Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities.
- #OntarioTechGrad social media wall.
- Alumni resources.
In June, Ontario Tech graduates were the first in Canada to receive digital versions of their degrees. Alumni are able to securely verify and share their electronic parchments with employers and industry.
The university is looking at options to further celebrate this graduating class in person, with details to come at a later date.
