Your guide for the Spring 2026 Convocation and Commencement ceremony
Congratulations, graduands! Convocation is a time for you to gather with your friends and family to celebrate the completion of your degree, diploma, certificate, or microcredential.
This guide will provide you and your guests with all the information you need to know about preparing for your ceremony and making the most of this special day.
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
4:30 p.m.
Graduands:
Please arrive one hour before the start of your ceremony. The ceremony will begin promptly at 4:30 p.m. Late graduands will only be accommodated if possible.
Salmon Arm Campus Courtyard
2552 10th Ave. NE
Tickets are not required, however, due to the limitations of the theatre and the large graduating class this year, graduates are allowed no more than 4 guests at the ceremony. We thank you in advance for your understanding. The theatre staff will not be allowed to admit more than the theatre's seating capacity.
Additional information
The ceremony will be held inside the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre and will last approximately 1.5 hours. Seating will be limited. For best seating options, we recommend arriving an hour prior to the start of the ceremony. The doors to the theatre will open at 3:30 p.m.
On Tuesday, June 9, check in and pick up your regalia in Room 130, up to 1.5 hours prior to the ceremony start time. Please ensure you have left yourself enough time to pick up your gown and have a photo taken (optional) before the ceremony begins. Late arrivals may miss the ceremony if we are not able to accommodate you.
How to hang the tassel on your grad cap
The tassel stays on the right side until you receive your credential and then it is moved to the left side. Moving the tassel symbolizes the transition from student to graduate. During the ceremony you will be prompted to move the tassel from the right to the left side.
Visible items of clothing should be of dark colours. No adornments such as flowers, jewelry or emblems of any kind should be attached to the gown.
Please keep your personal belongings to a minimum. Leave items (e.g. purse, bag) with a guest. Storage for coats and personal items will not be provided.
A portrait photographer will be located in room 130 to take photos before and after your ceremony. Photos will be taken on a first come, first served basis so ensure you leave plenty of time to fit this into your day. There will be a sitting fee charged and payment will be due at the time your photos are done.
Check in takes place in Room D130 beginning at 3 p.m. When you check in, you will be given a name card, your cap and gown, and a diploma folder. You will then be directed to line up alphabetically within your program.
You must be in the hallway outside D130 by 4 p.m. (volunteers will be on hand to point you in the right direction.) Ensure you have allowed enough time to pick up your regalia prior to 4 p.m.
Programs for each ceremony will be available online. Posters with QR codes to direct guests to the online program will be placed throughout the venue. Volunteers at the ceremony will have the QR code on a lanyard as well.
When it’s time for graduands in your program to cross the stage, a marshal will direct you to the appropriate location. It is essential that you bring your name card with you and hand it to the reader. When your name is announced, you will walk across the stage. As you leave the stage, you will receive an alumni gift, have your photo taken, and then immediately return to your seat as directed by the marshal.
Walking across the stage marks a milestone in your life and is a highlight of your graduation day. Please be considerate of your fellow graduands and return to your seat after you have crossed the stage.
You will not receive your official credential at the ceremony. The graduation office will mail this out to you to the mailing address we have on file. Please ensure you have an up to date address on your record.
Regalia must not leave the campus after the ceremony and must be returned to Room 130, within one hour of the end of the ceremony.
Graduates will be charged $125 for unreturned regalia.
All graduates and guests are invited to attend a reception immediately following the ceremony. The reception will take place in the cafeteria.
Be sure to stop and take a photo at our Okanagan College Alumni Association sponsored selfie station and tag Okanagan College in your photos.
A professional photographer will be located in the Marie Fleming Studio for portraits on the day of Convocation.
During the ceremony, a photographer will take photos of each graduate after they have crossed the stage. These photos will be available for download approximately one week following the ceremony. An email with the link will be sent out to graduates when the photos have been uploaded.
Purchase a souvenir of graduation. Options include diploma frames and OC branded apparel.
Shipping is available or choose your preferred campus for pick up.
For all Okanagan College convocation ceremonies, students and employees with Indigenous ancestry may choose to wear their traditional Indigenous regalia, in lieu of a gown and hood. Traditional regalia refers to the traditional and sacred clothing, accessories and pieces worn or carried by Indigenous peoples during various ceremonies, such as powwows, celebrations and pan-national gatherings. As regalia are personal and sacred outfits, it is appropriate to approach and inquire, however, please refrain from touching without consent.
Guest seating
Guest seating is on a first come, first served basis. It is recommended that guests arrive up to an hour before the ceremony for the best choice of seating.
Special considerations
Seating is reserved for guests with special needs (i.e. wheelchair seating) and an accompanying guest. Please have your graduand contact us at convocation@okanagan.bc.ca to arrange this.
Convocation programs will be available digitally for each ceremony. Posters with QR codes to direct guests to the online program will be placed throughout the venue. Volunteers at the ceremony will have the QR code on a lanyard as well.