Register to Attend Convocation

Convocation 2024

Friday, June 7

Ceremonies will take place in the Fas Gas – On The Run Gymnasium within the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre on Red Deer Polytechnic's main campus. 

Morning Ceremony | 9:30 am  

Students must arrive by 8:15 am

Announcements and student line-up at 9 am

Donald School of Business, Science and Computing 

Administrative Professional Certificate 
Aviation Certificate 
Bachelor of Business Administration 
Business Certificate 
Business Administration Diploma (All majors) 
Business Diploma 
Human Resources Management Post-baccalaureate Certificate
Legal Assistant Diploma 
Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences 
University Sciences Diploma 
Computer Programming Diploma  
Machine Learning Analyst Diploma 

School of Health and Wellness 

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – collaboration with University of Alberta 
Kinesiology and Sport Studies Diploma 
Medical Device Reprocessing Certificate 
Medical Laboratory Assistant Certificate
Occupational and Physical Therapist Assistant Diploma 
Pharmacy Technician Diploma 
Practical Nurse Diploma 
Pre-health Sciences Certificate 
Social Work Diploma 
University Transfer: Bachelor of Kinesiology and Sport Studies 

Afternoon Ceremony | 2 pm  

Students must arrive by 12:45 pm

Announcements and student line-up at 1:30 pm

School of Arts and Education 

Bachelor of Arts in Multidisciplinary Studies 
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology 
Bachelor of Science in Psychology 
University Transfer: Bachelor of Arts 
Justice Studies Diploma 
University Arts Diploma 
Bachelor of Arts, Animation and Visual Effects 
Bachelor of Arts, Film Production 
University Transfer: Bachelor of Fine Arts 
Visual Art Diploma 
Bachelor of Education 
University Transfer: Bachelor of Education 
Early Childhood Education Leadership Development Certificate 
Early Learning and Child Care Certificate 
Early Learning and Child Care Diploma 
Educational Assistant Certificate 
Academic Upgrading 

Continuing Education 

Accounting Technician Certificate 
Activity Coordinator Certificate – in collaboration ASCHA 
Dental Office Assistant 
Excellence in Teaching and Learning Certificate 
Health Care Aide Certificate 
Life and Employment Skills for Independence Certificate 
Medical Office Assistant Certificate 
Network Administration Diploma 
Paralegal Post-diploma Certificate 
Recreation Facility Management Certificate – in collaboration with AARFP 
Site Manager Certificate – in collaboration with ASCHA 
Software Development Diploma
Unit Clerk Extension Certificate 

School of Trades and Technology 

Apprenticeship Programs 
Instrumentation and Automation Engineering Technology Diploma 
Mechanical Engineering Diploma  

Recognition of President's Honour Roll and Dean's Honour Roll

Students who have achieved high academic standing in their last two academic program terms and are acknowledged on the President's and/or Dean's Honour Rolls will be recognized in the Convocation speeches. 
 

Location 

Graduands will come to the Arena in the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre on main campus to pick up and return their gowns. This is also where you will come to line-up before your ceremony. 

Gown Pick Up 

Gowns and hoods will be distributed to graduands on  Friday, June 7. There is no advance gown distribution available prior to that date. 

Please note: There will not be check-in or storage available for graduates on Convocation Day. Please leave your purse, personal items, coffee, etc. with family or friends. Red Deer Polytechnic will not be held responsible for the loss or theft of any valuables.  

Gown Return 

Gowns and hoods must be returned no later than  5pm on Friday, June 7. Please ensure gown zippers are done up when returning the gown at the gown return tables. Graduates that do not return their gowns and hoods will be charged a full purchase price.

Academic Dress

RDP Academic Dress follows from the British tradition, which has been adopted by Canadian Colleges and Universities. 

Academic Honours 

Red Deer Polytechnic recognizes graduates with high academic achievement through the awarding of honour cords at Convocation. A student achieving a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or greater in the last 60 credits of a Bachelor’s degree program or achieving a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or greater in a certificate or diploma program will receive a gold honour cord at Convocation. These cords are a testament to the hard work and dedication of students and are kept by students after the ceremony has concluded. 

The protocol for Academic Dress of graduands: 

• Certificate, Diploma and Trades – Cap, Gown and RDP Hood 

• Applied Degree(s) – Cap, Gown and RDP Hood 

• Baccalaureate Degree – Cap, Gown and Hood  

• Gold Honour Cords are worn by graduands with high academic achievement (cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher in a certificate, diploma or the last 60 credits of a degree) 

The protocol for Academic Dress of faculty and staff: 

• Certificate, Diploma and Trades – Gown and RDP Hood 

• Applied Degree – Gown and RDP Hood 

• Baccalaureate Degree – Gown and Hood  

• Graduate Degree – Gown and Hood  

• Doctorate – Optional Bonnet, Gown and Hood 

• Honour Cords  

The protocol for Academic Dress of the Honorary Degree recipient: 

• Honorary Degree – Gown and Hood  

Graduates retain their caps and honour cords as a keepsake.  

Alternatives to full academic Dress: 

• Indigenous, Metis and Inuit Peoples may wear cultural objects and/or traditional clothing instead of the cap and gown

• Cultural and religious head coverings, including hijabs, turbans, kippahs and others are encouraged and welcomed at convocation to celebrate the diversity and unique identities of our graduates

• Active military or policing personnel may wear their dress uniform instead of the cap and gown

• Members of the clergy may wear religious vestments instead of the cap and gown

Hood Colours: 

The hood for Baccalaureate degree programs represents the discipline or field of study by specific colour. The hood for certificate and diploma programs represents RDP brand colours. The hood for Honorary Degree recipients represents RDP brand colour, the discipline of Arts and includes silver trim.   

Congratulate your graduate with a Convocation bouquet!  

Thank you to Stems Flowers & Cafe for partnering with us on Convocation Day! Stems is an alumni-owned local business that creates beautiful, hand-wrapped bouquets and floral accessories for our graduates, which are available for purchase in the Convocation Marketplace. Stems donates a portion of these sales to the RDP Alumni Association (RDPAA).  

The RDPAA supports six student scholarships each year, and it creates networking, mentorship and recognition opportunities for RDP Alumni. Initiatives such as this one made it possible for the RDPAA to donate $5,000 to Student Emergency Funding to support students experiencing urgent financial need in 2020. Thank you for your continued support! 

Lifetouch is the official photographer for Red Deer Polytechnic graduation photos. Lifetouch will be available several times throughout the year.

Ceremony Photographs

Graduates will receive a free photo of them crossing the stage. An email will be sent to each graduate on how to access their photo.

Upcoming Photo Session Dates:

• May 6 - 8, Room AC 148
• May 27-31, Cornerstone and Room AC 159 (Ensemble A)

Appointments offered daily, during business hours. You must book your appointment online (see instructions below)

These photo sessions will be held at Red Deer Polytechnic's main campus. Please note that booking information and room numbers for future sessions will be provided closer to your appointment date.

If none of these dates work in your schedule, you can ask Lifetouch about booking an appointment at their studio in Red Deer.

Booking Your Photo Session

There is a $30.00 sitting fee payable to the photographer.

Book your appointment online. On the booking website, you will be automatically taken to the Red Deer Polytechnic page to view available dates. Then, you will need to:

• Select your Date, using the available dates identified on the calendar 
• Select your Time   
• Complete the Registration Form 
• Confirm your Appointment 

If you have challenges with your booking, please contact Lifetouch at 780.437.2431.

On the date and time of your appointment, come prepared! You are welcome to bring multiple outfits and props to your session. Please arrive five minutes prior to your session start time. 
 

Convocation 2024

Friday, June 7

Ceremonies will take place in the Fas Gas – On The Run Gymnasium within the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre on Red Deer Polytechnic's main campus. 

Guests

Graduates are permitted to bring a maximum of four guests to Convocation. This ensures RDP adheres to fire code regulations within the Fas Gas – On The Run Gymnasium, where each ceremony will take place.  

Tickets are not required, and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.  

Please note that, if the guest numbers exceed capacity or if people would prefer to sit in a smaller gathering, the Convocation ceremonies will be live streamed near the Gymnasium of the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre. If you are unable to attend the ceremony on campus, the live stream will also be posted on this page for you to view. 

Parking is free on campus during Convocation. Graduates and guests can park in the Student Parking Lots next to the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre, located on the west side of Red Deer Polytechnic’s main campus. View the Parking webpage for more information. 
 

Are you looking for accommodations for Convocation? Red Deer Polytechnic’s Residence offers a wide range of guest accommodation styles to meet your needs right on campus. If you are looking for accommodations for the whole family, check out our four-bedroom townhouses. Just yourself? Our Studio Residence offers the perfect single accommodations across from the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre.

Call 403.342.3257 or email us at stay@rdpolytech.ca to inquire about our guest accommodations. 

Indigenous Student Services facilitates academic, social and cultural support for Status and Non-status First Nation, Metis and Inuit leaners of Red Deer Polytechnic.

In 2017, a special stole was created to highlight cultural symbols important to many Indigenous students attending RDP. This stole was created with input from several Indigenous communities – people who support you on your journey – and it is in recognition of your academic achievements and the completion of your program at Red Deer Polytechnic. The Convocation stole includes the following elements:

• A circle graphic was chosen to represent the circular life cycle and to house meaningful Indigenous colours and symbols, such as Eagle, Buffalo, Inukshuk and Treaty Agreement. 
• The Métis symbol is woven into the center of the graphic as they are a part of all Nations. 
• The colours white, yellow, blue, red and black respect both the Treaty 6 and 7 Nations. 
• All seven Indigenous languages spoken in Alberta by the different Nations and Métis people surround the graphic. 

If you are an Indigenous student and you would like to receive a Convocation Stole on June 7, please complete the following steps:

1. Look for the invitation that you have received to apply to attend Convocation. 

This invitation was sent as a personal announcement on your Loop account, and it was also sent as an email. 

     2. In this invitation, click on the link and apply to attend Convocation.  

Make sure to check off the Indigenous Student’s Presentation section to indicate you would like to receive a Convocation stole. Students are also invited to wear their traditional Indigenous regalia, such as a ribbon shirt, ribbon skirt or Metis sash, in celebration of their Convocation Day.

For information regarding this special stole, email indigenous.studentservices@rdpolytech.ca or call 403.357.3672. 

The Convocation Marketplace will be located onsite at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre, and it will be open throughout the day on June 7.

Additional details coming soon.