Convocation

Convocation 2025

Friday, June 6

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 between 7:30 am and no later than 8:15 am

Announcements and student line-up at 9 am

Afternoon Ceremony | 2 pm  

Students must arrive between 12:15pm and (no later than) 12:45 pm

Announcements and student line-up at 1:30 pm

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. 

Indigenous Student Services facilitates academic, social and cultural support for Status and Non-status First Nation, Metis and Inuit learners 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 6, 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 MyRDP 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 or call 403.357.3672. 

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 6. There is no advance gown distribution available before 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 6. 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 Honours Cords

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. 

Academic Dress

RDP Academic Dress, for those with University Degrees and Doctorates, follows the British tradition, which has been adopted by Canadian Colleges and Universities.

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 a specific colour. The hood for certificate & diploma programs represents RDP brand colours. The hood for Honorary Degree recipients represents RDP brand colour, the discipline of Arts & includes silver trim.

Lifetouch is the official photographer for Red Deer Polytechnic graduation photos. 

Graduation photograph session dates:

• January 6-10, 2025
• February 24-28, 2025
• March 6-7, 2025 (Nursing students only)
• April 30
• May 1-2, 2025
• June 2-6, 2025

For more information on days, time and booking an individual grad photo session, please visit MyRDP.

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.

Convocation 2024

Friday, June 6

Morning ceremony - Doors open at 8:30 am
Afternoon ceremony - Doors open at 1:00 pm

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 requested to limit guests to three people, where possible 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

• Student Parking Lot 20 next to the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre
• Public Parking Lot 22
• Staff Lots 21 and 23

View the Parking webpage for more information. 

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. 

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! 

The Convocation Marketplace will be located onsite at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre, throughout the day on June 6.