ATHABASCA – Although Athabasca University’s convocation ceremony will be held in Edmonton this June, a revelation that previously sparked local concerns, the institution is trying to keep the community involved as at least a few hundred grads from the Class of 2023 will be in town for a special homecoming celebration June 17.
AU president Dr. Alex Clark said he’s looking forward to the inaugural event and, with the online and in-person convocation ceremony June 16 at Edmonton EXPO Centre, this year will offer “the largest, most exciting, most inclusive celebration of our graduates ever.” He said the combination of the convocation and the homecoming “really puts the university on the map internationally to do something creative and innovative.”
“It’s exciting to be able to bring people together and celebrate together with their families. It’s a momentous achievement and embodies all of what the university is about, which is our learners,” said Dr. Clark. “Universities have strategic plans, websites and balance sheets, but when you see the graduates and can feel the difference the online education Athabasca offers and how it can transform a life, you get a sense of what a special university this is.”
Dr. Clark admitted that “we’re in a hybrid world now” as “slightly over half the class will be attending convocation online” while roughly 400-plus are expected to attend in-person — the university counts students from 81 countries across the world. AU announced in late December 2022 that convocation, traditionally hosted in the Town of Athabasca for the previous 34 years, would instead take place in Edmonton in 2023 — a move that at the time prompted a strongly-worded letter from Athabasca County reeve Brian Hall and further discussion by the university board of directors on returning the event to Athabasca in 2024.
Looking forward to the “super special” homecoming, Dr. Clark expects at least a couple hundred grads will take the free bus trip to Athabasca June 17. On the day, there will be campus tours and “lots of family-friendly activities” including an antique car show, lawn games, live music, and prize giveaways along with a bevy of other planned events from the Alley Cat Festival to farmers’ market to games at the multiplex to the ag society’s summer kickoff event and a BBQ competition.
“It’s a chance for our graduates to come and get a sense of the university’s place in the community, our past and our future and to keep the celebration going and connect with the community here and enjoy just a great series of days,” said Dr. Clark. “We really wanted to offer a sustained celebration, but also give respect and dues to our base in the community here. I’m excited as president for my first graduation and to bring our communities together.”
As to whether the in-person convocation ever returns to Athabasca, Dr. Clark said it’s important “the community feels and is included” but was non-committal and said they have a convocation committee that plans the event and that the feedback from the grads “is centrally taken into account.”
“I think what we’ve done this year is a good way to respond to our global students, as well as our provincial students and graduates, but also really reflect the commitment to our community here, which as you know is really important to me,” said Dr. Clark.
