Yorkville University
British Columbia
Convocation Celebration
Wednesday, May 27th, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. & 3:00 p.m.
CONGRATULATIONS, GRADUATES!
We at Yorkville University can’t wait to celebrate your accomplishments with you at the Anvil Centre, 777 Columbia St., New Westminster, BC on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Your convocation ceremony will take place in the Anvil Performing Arts Theatre.
Convocation Ceremonies
Convocation Ceremony on Wednesday, May 27 at 10:00 a.m. will celebrate the following graduating classes:
- Bachelor of Business Administration with a specialization in Accounting
- Bachelor of Business Administration General
Convocation Ceremony on Wednesday, May 27 at 3:00 p.m. will celebrate the following graduating classes:
- Associate of Arts
- Bachelor of Business Administration with a specialization in Energy Management
- Bachelor of Business Administration with a specialization in Project Management
- Bachelor of Business Administration with a specialization in Supply Chain Management
Dress code: Semi-formal or business attire encouraged.
For those of you who are unable to attend Yorkville University’s 2026 Convocation in person, we will be livestreaming the ceremony below. We also encourage everyone to share this link with your loved ones, so they might celebrate with you in this moment of great achievement.
***Please note this will be a livestream only and not an interactive online convocation
Typical Convocation Day Schedule
Arrive early (at least 1.5 hours in advance)
Collect your gowns and get in place for the event.
Doors Open for Guests one hour prior to ceremony
Guest seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis
Ceremony Begins at 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. (PDT)
The Convocation Ceremony will begin on time and is expected to last 1.5 – 2 hours long.
Light Reception following
There will be a light reception directly following the convocation ceremony.
Gown Process
Your gowns will be ready for pick-up at the Anvil Centre, 777 Columbia St. on
Wednesday, May 27th at 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Please enter the building through the main doors and you will be directed to Room 413. This is where you will pick up your gowns and caps. Gowns are to be returned to Room 413 directly following the reception. $150 will be charged for any gowns not returned.
What to Expect During the Convocation Ceremony
The ceremonies are expected to last approximately 2 hours each. We kindly ask that you stay in your seat for the duration of your ceremony and keep noise to a minimum.
Each graduate will be called up on stage to be recognized and have a picture taken with Dr. Julia Christensen Hughes, President & Vice Chancellor. Each graduate is expected to return to their seat after crossing the stage.
Following the ceremony there will be a light reception, where you will have the opportunity to socialize with your fellow graduates, faculty, family members and friends.
Professional photos taken during the ceremony will be shared with you via email at a later date.
Convocation Day Entering The Ceremony
Once you have your gown, please meet in the hallway outside of the Anvil Performing Arts Theatre and find the Marshal holding a sign with your program and group letter. You will enter the ceremony together as a graduating class.
Getting to the Ceremony
Yorkville University’s 2026 Convocation Ceremony will take place in the Anvil Performing Arts Theatre at the Anvil Centre, which is is conveniently located in the heart of the City of New Westminster at 777 Columbia St. Anvil Centre’s convenient location makes it easily accessible by major rapid transit lines, and highways.
Arriving by Rapid Transit
Immediately across from the Anvil Centre on Eighth Street is the New Westminster SkyTrain station. Less than a 30-minute ride from downtown Vancouver, the New Westminster station is serviced by both the Expo and Millennium Lines.
Visitors arriving from YVR can connect to SkyTrain via the Canada Line at the airport. After a transfer at Waterfront Station, visitors can arrive at Anvil Centre in about 30 minutes.
Visitors from the Tri-Cities can reach Anvil Centre from Coquitlam City Centre in just over 30 minutes via the Evergreen Line, with a transfer to the Millennium Line at Lougheed Town Centre.
Arriving by Car
New Westminster is connected to Metro Vancouver’s major highways and arteries via three bridges: the Queensborough Bridge (connecting Highway 91 and the East-West Connector), the Patullo Bridge (connecting Surrey’s King George Boulevard), and the new Port Mann Bridge (connecting Highway 1).
For travellers arriving by BC Ferries, the newly opened South Fraser Perimeter Road (Highway 17) provides a quick, direct route to New Westminster via the Bridgeview Drive/130 St. exit and the River Road/Nordel Way exit.
Parking Information
Underground Parking
Anvil Centre features three levels of underground parking with 270 stalls. Parkade access is on Eighth Street.
Other Parking
Parking is also available at two large nearby parkades. Adjacent to Anvil Centre is the Shops at New West multi-level parkade, located at the corner of Eighth Street and Columbia St. The Front Street Parkade, accessed from Fourth and Sixth Streets and just south of Columbia, offers reasonably priced hourly and daily parking rates.
On-Street Parking
Hourly pay meter parking can be found on the streets in and around Anvil Centre. Please note most meters have time limits.
Photos
There will be a photographer covering the ceremony and taking photos of each graduate on the stage. After the graduation, we will send out a link where you will be able to download your photos for free.
Guidelines for Academic Regalia at Convocation
The wearing of academic regalia is a tradition that has persisted from the Middle Ages, derived from the monasteries and wearing of clerical robes, and continued in a new way as universities were founded. The degree hood was originally part of the monk’s habit and eventually, the hood became separate from the gown, variegated in colour, and emblematic of fields of study, degrees, and universities.
For the mortarboard, the tassel is worn to left until graduation and is moved to the right during the ceremony. For photographs, the tassel should be worn on the right.
Graduates are to wear the appropriate gown and hood for the degree or diploma being conferred at the convocation ceremony.
Special Gift at Convocation
Every year at convocation, Yorkville University and Toronto Film School honour our Indigenous graduates (First Nation, Métis or Inuit) by presenting them with a Blackfoot Peoples Blanket – a special gift thoughtfully chosen by our Indigenous Student Advisory Council to celebrate these graduates’ achievements.
Indigenous graduates who would like to receive this gift must complete the online form here to confirm arrangements with event organizers. Please submit the form by Wednesday, February 18th.
“Receiving an Indigenous Student Bursary, and the inaugural gifting of a beautiful blanket at the convocation ceremony was not only a great honour, but was also deeply healing for all my relations. Hiy Hiy. Chi Miigwetch. Thank you.”
– T. Schenkeveld (MACP 2024)
Convocation and Traditional Regalia
Indigenous graduates and faculty may choose to wear traditional Indigenous attire (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit), in lieu of a gown and hood, at all convocation ceremonies. Traditional regalia refers to the traditional and often sacred clothing, accessories, and artifacts worn or carried during various ceremonies, such as powwows, celebrations, and gatherings. Yorkville University and Toronto Film School acknowledge the diversity of Indigenous peoples, communities, and nations. As such, it is recognized that traditional Indigenous attire may vary. All forms of traditional regalia are welcome and respected.
Share Your YU Experience!
Please take a few minutes to complete a Google review and help prospective YU students understand what Yorkville University is all about!
Please remember to celebrate this special day with us on social media by using the hashtag #YorkvilleGrad2026
If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
The Alumni Network
As you prepare to embark on the next chapter of your journey after graduation, we want to remind you that your connection with Yorkville University doesn’t end here. You are now part of the YU Alumni Network. To ensure you receive updates on perks, benefits, upcoming alumni events, and networking opportunities, please take a moment to update your contact information with us below:
We look forward to seeing you thrive as part of our alumni community!
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