Convocation
Convocation Day was Friday, June 2
Watch Red Deer Polytechnic's Convocation from anywhere in the world!
We enjoyed celebrating the achievements of RDP's Class of 2023 with family and friends. We invite you to watch recordings of our morning and afternoon ceremonies.
For the Morning Ceremony, click the button below and scroll to 1:35:15 to begin viewing.
For the Afternoon Ceremony, click the button below and scroll to 16:35:00 to begin viewing.
View the Convocation Program
Find your name in the full list of Red Deer Polytechnic's graduating class.
Get full details and read congratulatory messages in the 59th Convocation program.
Important Information
Ceremony Location, Times and Details
Convocation Gowns
Flowers Support Student Scholarships
Graduation Photographs
Guest Information
Indigenous Student Presentation
Make Your Convocation Day Memorable
Marketplace
Alumni Association
Leave Your Mark
Frequently Asked Questions
For More Information
Ceremony Location, Times and Details
Convocation 2023
Friday, June 2
Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre, located on Red Deer Polytechnic’s main campus
Ceremonies will take place in the Fas Gas – On The Run Gymnasium
Donald School of Business, Science, and Technology
- Administrative Professional Certificate
- Bachelor of Business Administration
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Science (all majors)
- Business Administration Diploma
- Business Certificate
- Business Certificate - Skywings
- Business Diploma
- Health Care Management Post-Diploma Certificate
- Human Resources Management Graduate Certificate
- Legal Assistant Diploma Management Certificate
- Management Certificate
- Electrical Engineering Technology Diploma
- Mechanical Engineering Technology Diploma
School of Education and Trades
- Apprenticeship Programs
- Bachelor of Education
- Early Learning & Child Care Certificate and Diploma
- Educational Assistant Certificate
Division of Extended Education
- Career Development
- Accounting Technician Certificate
- AB Seniors Communities and Housing Association Site Manager & Activity Coordinator
- Excellence in Teaching and Learning
- Health Care Aid Certificate
- Medical Office Assistant
- Network Administration Diploma
- Pre-Employment Automotive Service Technician, Carpentry, Welding and Electrical
- Software Developer Certificate
- Unit Clerk Certificate
School of Arts & Culture
- Academic Upgrading
- Bachelor of Arts (all majors)
- Bachelor of Applied Arts in Animation and Visual Effects
- Bachelor of Applied Arts Film Theatre and Live Entertainment Film Production
- Bachelor of Fine Arts
- Justice Studies Diploma
- University Arts Diploma
- Visual Art Diploma
School of Community, Wellness and Health
- Bachelor of Science, Nursing
- Bachelor of Kinesiology
- Kinesiology Fitness and Health Diploma
- Medical Laboratory Assistant Certificate
- Occupational & Physical Therapist Assistant Diploma
- Pharmacy Technician Diploma
- Practical Nurse Diploma
- Pre-Health Sciences Certificate
- Social Work 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.
Convocation Gowns
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. See Ceremony Location, Times and Details for more information.
Gown Pick Up
Gowns and hoods will be distributed to graduands on Friday, June 2. 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 5:00 pm on Friday, June 2. 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
Red Deer Polytechnic Academic Dress follows from the British tradition, which has been adopted by Canadian Colleges and Universities.
The protocol for Academic Dress of graduands is a follows:
- Certificate, Diploma and Trades – Cap, Gown and Red Deer Polytechnic Hood (over the shoulders)
- Applied Degree(s) – Cap, Gown and Red Deer Polytechnic Hood
- Baccalaureate Degree – Cap, Gown and Hood from Red Deer Polytechnic or from graduating institution
All graduands will receive and wear caps at Convocation and will be able to keep their cap as a keepsake.
Flowers Support Student Scholarships
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.
The RDP Alumni Association 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!
Graduation Photographs
Lifetouch is the official photographer for Red Deer Polytechnic 2023 graduation photos.
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.
To book a grad portrait in addition to the ceremony photo, please visit our Graduation Photos page for dates and times.
Guest Information
Convocation 2023
Friday, June 2
Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre, located on Red Deer Polytechnic’s main campus
Ceremonies will take place in the Fas Gas – On The Run Gymnasium
View ceremony times and details for complete information
Red Deer Polytechnic supports the choice of all those attending our Convocation ceremonies to wear a face covering – or not – as it works for your personal situation. We ask that everyone respects the choices of one another as we celebrate Convocation together.
Guests
Graduates are permitted to bring a maximum of three 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 your to view.
Parking
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. See the parking map for details.
Accommodations
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 [at] rdpolytech [dot] ca (stay[at]rdpolytech[dot]ca) to inquire about our guest accommodations.
Indigenous Student Presentation
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 2, please complete the following steps:
- 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.
- In this invitation, click on the link and apply to attend Convocation.
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 [dot] studentservices [at] rdpolytech [dot] ca (indigenous[dot]studentservices[at]rdpolytech[dot]ca) or call 403.357.3672.
Marketplace
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 2.
Additional details coming soon.
For More Information
For Convocation inquiries, please email convocation [at] rdpolytech [dot] ca (convocation[at]rdpolytech[dot]ca).
A Look Back at Convocation 2022
Convocation Day Connections
Find your name in the list of graduates. Get full details and read congratulatory messaging for each of the Convocation ceremonies in the programs below.
2022 Convocation Program
2021 Convocation Program
2020 Convocation Program