The Hub Photo gallery: Athabasca University convocation through the years

Photo gallery: Athabasca University convocation through the years

| June 8, 2023

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We’ve been celebrating convocation since 1977! See how the annual tradition has changed over the years

Athabasca University’s (AU) first convocation ceremony took place in 1977 with a graduating class of 2. The ceremony featured a president’s installation, graduation, and a film premiere all in one event!

Over the years, as our graduating classes have grown, so too have our convocation ceremonies. This year, almost 2,000 grads will receive AU parchments as part of the Class of 2023—one of the largest classes ever!

Check out this snapshot of AU history from convocation through the years!

The image is from the inside cover of the 1977 convocation program and features the original AU logo in a teal-coloured pattern.
In 1975, AU was granted permanent status as a university and allowed to grant degrees. The university held its first convocation ceremony in 1977. The event not only celebrated graduates of that year’s class but also the installation of Dr. W.A. “Sam” Smith, who joined AU as president in 1976. The image above is from the inside cover of the 1977 convocation program and features the original AU logo in a teal pattern.
Neil Henry places a convocation hood on the shoulders of a university graduate circa 1980.
Neil Henry (right) places a convocation hood on the shoulders of a university graduate circa 1980. Henry served several roles at AU over the years, including registrar and as vice-president of university services. Image courtesy of the Thomas A. Edge Archives & Special Collections.
A grad (center) is sitting down holding his parchment, on either side is his two young daughters.
Convocation is not just a celebration for AU graduates but for their families as well. Since the first ceremony in 1977 to the present day, families have been a huge part of convocation, as was the case in 1980 when this photo was taken of a grad and his family. Image courtesy of the Thomas A. Edge Archives & Special Collections.
People dancing at a convocation ceremony in the 80s
Convocation festivities, especially early in AU’s history, often included a dinner and dance following the ceremonies, as was the case in this photo, taken circa 1980. Image courtesy of the Thomas A. Edge Archives & Special Collections.
A graduate crosses the stage to receive their degree in this photo
A graduate crosses the stage to receive their degree in this photo, taken circa 1981. Image courtesy of the Thomas A. Edge Archives & Special Collections.
Image of graduate recieiving degree. AU’s founding colours were blue and green, as shown here in this photo circa 1984. Though AU’s brand colours are orange and dark blue currently, the original blue and green can still be seen on AU’s coat of arms. The colours reference AU’s connection to central and northern Alberta.
AU’s founding colours were blue and green, as shown here in this photo circa 1984. Though AU’s brand colours are now dark blue and orange, the original blue and green can still be seen on AU’s coat of arms. The colours reference AU’s connection to central and northern Alberta and local rivers and forests. Image courtesy of the Thomas A. Edge Archives & Special Collections.
Former AU dean Dr. Stephen Murgatroyd (right) stands with staffer Randi Allan prior to convocation ceremonies circa 1995
Former AU dean Dr. Stephen Murgatroyd (right) stands with staffer Randi Allan prior to convocation ceremonies circa 1995. Murgatroyd was dean of the university’s former Faculty of Administrative Studies and the founding director of the Centre for Innovative Management. Image courtesy of the Thomas A. Edge Archives & Special Collections.
In this photo, taken around 1986, graduates join hands in celebration.
Convocation is a special time for any university graduate but for many distance learners at AU, it has also been an opportunity to meet classmates from every corner of the country—sometimes for the very first time. In this photo, taken around 1986, graduates join hands in celebration. Image courtesy of the Thomas A. Edge Archives & Special Collections.
A graduate, presumably a mother, holds a baby and a degree parchment following convocation ceremonies circa 1984
A graduate, presumably a mother, holds a baby and a degree parchment following convocation ceremonies circa 1984. Today, 66% of undergraduate students and 77% of graduate students are women, many of whom choose AU for the flexibility of programs and work-life balance. Image courtesy of the Thomas A. Edge Archives & Special Collections.
The kneeling stool, shown here in this photo from around 1986, is a ceremonial tradition at convocation ceremonies.
The kneeling stool, shown here in this photo from around 1986, is a ceremonial tradition at convocation ceremonies. The practice of kneeling during degree hooding originated in England late in the 15th century. During the ceremony, the draped hood is taken from the student’s arm and, while the student is kneeling, placed over their head, resting on the shoulders.
AU graduates celebrate convocation under a tent at AU campus in Athabasca in this undated photo, likely from the 1990s.
AU graduates celebrate convocation under a tent at AU campus in Athabasca in this undated photo, likely from the 1990s. Image courtesy of the Thomas A. Edge Archives & Special Collections.
The Athabasca University Mace is displayed prominently at every convocation.
The Athabasca University Mace is displayed prominently at every convocation. Created by Métis artist Brian Clark, the mace symbolizes the traditional talking stick commonly used by many Indigenous Peoples to express the authority and power of the group.
Members of the Yellow Ribbon Dancers perform at convocation in 2006.
Members of the Yellow Ribbon Dancers perform at convocation in 2006. The group helped celebrate the Honorary Doctor of Letters awarded to Marie Smallface-Marule, and the Order of Athabasca presented to Herb Belcourt. Image courtesy of the Thomas A. Edge Archives & Special Collections.
A new AU graduate celebrates convocation in 2015 with her proud family.
A new AU graduate celebrates convocation in 2015 with her proud family.
Dr. Neil Fassina, who served as AU president from 2016 until 2021, gives high fives to graduates of the Class of 2018. Fassina made it a tradition to high five all graduates before they crossed the stage.
Dr. Neil Fassina, who served as AU president from 2016 until 2021, gives high fives to graduates of the Class of 2018. Fassina made it a tradition to high five all graduates before they crossed the stage.
AU’s oldest-ever graduate, Louisa Daley, celebrates convocation and her Bachelor of General Studies in 2018 at the age of 93.
AU’s oldest-ever graduate, Louisa Daley, celebrates convocation and her Bachelor of General Studies in 2018 at the age of 93. It was Daley’s second degree from the university, where she studied at for a remarkable 34 years! She passed away in 2021.
A group of Master of Nursing graduates celebrate their special day during a ceremony in 2018.
A group of Master of Nursing graduates celebrate their special day during a ceremony in 2018. For many grads, convocation is the first time they meet their classmates in person.
Image of the convocation stage in 2019.
For most of its history, AU convocation ceremonies have been held in 1 of 2 locations: Edmonton, the university’s first home, and Athabasca, the institution's home since 1984. That changed in 2019 when the threat of wildfires in north-central Alberta prompted moving ceremonies to Red Deer.
Members of ASANI sing and perform drums during opening ceremonies at convocation in Westerner Park Exhibition Hall in 2019.
Members of ASANI sing and perform drums during opening ceremonies at convocation in Westerner Park Exhibition Hall in Red Deer in 2019.
Canadian icon Rick Hansen received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from AU in 2019.
Canadian icon Rick Hansen address graduands after receiving an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from AU in 2019. The “man in motion” is known for his year-long trek around the world in a wheelchair in support of spinal cord research, and for his advocacy for people with disabilities and issues such as accessibility.
A graduate of AU’s Faculty of Business gets into the convocation spirit during ceremonies at Westerner Park in Red Deer.
A graduate of AU’s Faculty of Business gets into the convocation spirit during ceremonies at Westerner Park in Red Deer.
This photo shows the platform party—wearing masks and spaced 2 metres apart—on stage at a recording of the convocation ceremony that was later broadcasted to the graduates.
AU marked its 50th anniversary in 2020, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic that shut down much of Alberta, Canada, and the world that spring, in-person convocation ceremonies shifted to online for the safety of participants. This photo shows the platform party—wearing masks and spaced 2 metres apart—on stage at a recording of the convocation ceremony that was later broadcasted to the graduates.
A lone organist plays during the convocation ceremony in 2020. The broadcast was recorded at the Winspear Centre in Edmonton.
A lone organist plays during the convocation ceremony in 2020. The broadcast was recorded at the Winspear Centre in Edmonton.
Dr. Matthew Prineas, provost and vice-president academic, delivers an address at convocation in 2022.
Dr. Matthew Prineas, provost and vice-president academic, delivers an address at convocation in 2022. Parts of the program were pre-recorded from a state-of-the-art studio in Edmonton so that graduates could tune into the ceremonies from anywhere in the world with an internet connection.
An AU staffer working behind the scenes at Athabasca University convocation in June 2022
Producing a virtual convocation with a live “crossing-the-stage” moment is not a simple feat. Producing the 2022 ceremonies meant placing grads in 69 different “green rooms” in Microsoft Teams meetings. The logistical hurdles required the efforts of 30 AU staff and 10 audio-visual technicians so that 891 grads could cross the stage virtually. In this photo, AU alumni relations manager Tara Friesen hosts a green room session. AU’s virtual convocation ceremonies have been recognized for several industry awards for events planning and communications and marketing.

Celebrating Convocation 2023!

Read more stories about AU students and grads as part of our Convocation 2023 coverage.

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  • June 8, 2023
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