If you are planning to graduate in spring 2022, you must submit your Application to Graduate form (the application term will appear as winter 2022 in the online application) along with your graduation fee to let us know that you want to graduate! Once the form has been completed, you will receive an email confirming that your application has been successfully received.  If you do not receive an email confirmation, please contact the Registrar’s Office immediately.

Please note: If you are requesting special seating accommodations, please be sure to indicate if they are for yourself or for your guests.

Deadline to submit: January 31, 2022

Once you have completed the Application to Graduate form, the $65.00 graduation fee will automatically be added to your student account with Financial Services. You will need to make arrangements to pay this fee as soon as possible.

You can pay your Application to Graduate fee online

As you may know, the Province of Nova Scotia has introduced a Proof of Full Vaccination Policy, which means that anyone age 12 and older must provide proof of full vaccination to participate in most events and activities that bring large groups of people together. This includes Convocation ceremonies.

Therefore, the following protocols will be in place for MSVU’s Spring 2022 Convocation ceremonies:

• Anyone attending Convocation ceremonies, with the exception of children under 12, must provide proof of full vaccination to enter the Seton Academic Centre to attend a Convocation ceremony. This includes graduates, graduate guests, and MSVU faculty and staff. Children under 12 are still welcome to attend Convocation ceremonies.
• MSVU staff will verify proof of vaccination visually. After verifying proof of vaccination, they will also review additional identification to confirm your identity. Accepted identification includes:
  • driver’s licence
  • government issued identification (ID) card
  • Health Card
  • passport
  • Secure Certificate of Indian Status
  • Student identification (ID) card
• Masks must be worn at all times inside the Seton Academic Centre (and all other campus buildings).
• Those who are medically exempt from receiving the vaccine or wearing a mask must provide a valid medical exemption by a nurse practitioner or doctor. Find more information about medical exemptions on the Province of Nova Scotia website.
• Graduate guests will not be permitted to approach the stage during the Convocation proceedings to take close up photos. Instead, we encourage guests to take photos outside on our beautiful campus after the ceremony. We strongly encourage all attendees to arrive early, as verifying the required documents will take some time.

We thank you in advance for doing your part to keep yourself, your friends and family, and the entire MSVU community, safe during these strange times.

Please contact convocation@msvu.ca with any questions you may have.

Our Spring 2022 Convocation ceremonies will be available via live stream on the Mount’s Facebook page and YouTube channel. If you miss the live stream, please note that a recording of the Convocation ceremonies will be available for viewing on the University’s YouTube channel.

Watch on the Mount’s YouTube channel »

Watch on the Mount’s Facebook page »

If you would like to view a recording of the ceremonies and YouTube isn’t an option, a recording can be made available to you at a later date by contacting at DMZ@msvu.ca

To be posted.

To be posted.

Graduates will be joined by two new honorary degree recipients, including a woman who has had an unmatched impact across the arts, education and health care in Nova Scotia underpinned by a belief in the power of youth, Margaret Anne Fountain, CM, and a community crusader and innovator on behalf of racialized youth, particularly those at risk of food insecurity, Jessie Jollymore. As well, Dr. Lynn Jones will deliver a special address to graduates; Dr. Jones received an honorary degree from MSVU during our fall 2020 ceremonies which were held online.

Margaret Anne Fountain, CM, is first, foremost and always dedicated to her family.  A proud wife to David, and loving Mother to daughter, Gwyneth, Mrs. Fountain is also a committed companion to her dog, Bucco.

Mrs. Fountain has devoted a lifetime to philanthropic endeavors in support of provincial, national and international organizations.  A renowned patron of the arts, Mrs. Fountain has made a lasting and irrefutable impact with organizations to include Symphony Nova Scotia, The National Ballet of Canada, The National Arts Centre Foundation, the Advisory Board of the Talent Fund for Telefilm Canada, and she was a founding member of the Foundation for Heritage and the Arts.

Mrs. Fountain was named a Duke of Edinburgh International Award Foundation’s Global Benefactor. A tireless champion of this non-formal, self-development program designed to recognize the achievements of youth, outside of academia, Mrs. Fountain believes it is imperative to invest in our young people because they are our greatest asset.

While her contributions to the arts are unparalleled, Mrs. Fountain’s philanthropy extends to the broader community through her advocacy in the areas of education and healthcare.  Her work as a founding member of the Community Foundation of Nova Scotia (CFNS) and as a member of the Halifax Foundation, were instrumental in improving the quality of life for Nova Scotians, and to opening the doors to endless possibilities.

Mrs. Fountain served on the Board of the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NSCAD) for 14 years, and was honored by that institution with a DFA (hc). Mrs. Fountain also served as a Governor on the Board of Mount Saint Vincent University for six years.

A graduate of Mount Saint Vincent University, Mrs. Fountain is a Queen’s Jubilee Medal recipient, and she was invested to the Order of Canada in 2016.

Jessie Jollymore, BScN (Hon), is the founder and Executive Director of Hope Blooms, a youth-run social enterprise located in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

A graduate of Mount Saint Vincent University, Ms. Jollymore is a Registered Dietitian who has dedicated her life in empowered service with others. A Clinical Dietician in the inner city for more than 14 years, Jessie saw in her work opportunities to address, through Hope Blooms Social Entrepreneurial Ventures Inc, the social injustices of food insecurity, social exclusion, discrimination, and racialized poverty. It has been sustained through Ms. Jollymore’s unwavering determination that it do so, and it has flourished as a result of Jessie’s vision to actively engage youth in positively impacting the determinants of health within vulnerable communities while coming from a place of empowerment and acknowledgement that beauty and brilliance is inherent in every child.

Among her significant accomplishments, Ms. Jollymore has been recognized with The Governor General’s Meritorious Service Medal; Oxfam’s Female Food Hero Award; The Social Innovator of the Year Award; and she has been named as One of Canada’s Top Changemakers.

Ms. Jollymore has ensured that not only does hope bloom, but that as a direct result, so too do youth and communities.

Student Awards

Senate Awards of Distinction – Undergraduate & Graduate

Pewter awards are presented by the Senate to recognize students who graduate “with distinction and with highest aggregate” in their diploma or bachelor program. These awards are presented at both the May and October ceremonies.

President’s Prizes

Special awards donated by the University President are given to members of the May and October graduating classes whose energy, generosity and commitment have enriched the University during their time as students, and who show promise that their commitment will continue as alumnae.

Kappa Gamma Pi

Kappa Gamma Pi is the National Catholic College Graduate Honor Society. Membership, is based on scholarship, leadership and service. Members are selected not only for recognition of past accomplishments, but also in anticipation of future service.

Governor-General’s Medal – Undergraduate

Donated by the Governor-General of Canada this medal is given once per year at the undergraduate level for the highest aggregate in the final three years (15 units) of a degree program

Governor General’s Medal – Graduate

Donated by the Governor General of Canada this medal is given once per year at the graduate level to the top graduating master’s student. Presented annually at the spring convocation. Students graduating the previous fall are equally eligible with spring graduands for this award.

Valedictorian Prizes

This prize is given to graduates who have made significant contributions to extracurricular activities at the Mount and/or community at large, as well as maintained a minimum grade point average of 2.7 in the most recent five units of coursework.

Faculty Awards

President and Vice-Presidents’ Advanced Career Teaching Award

This award is presented to a faculty member, librarian or laboratory instructor who has demonstrated teaching excellence throughout their career at Mount Saint Vincent University.

Alumni Early Career Teaching Award

This award is presented to an early-career full-time faculty member, librarian or laboratory instructor who has demonstrated commitment and promise in the first five years of their career at Mount Saint Vincent University.

Alumni Part-time Faculty Teaching Award

This award is presented to a part-time faculty member, librarian or laboratory instructor who demonstrates commitment, knowledge and skill as a university educator.

Early Career Research Award

This award, given to an early-career full-time faculty member, recognizes the individual’s commitment and achievement as a contributor to the research community and to the research climate at Mount Saint Vincent University.

Award for Research Excellence

This award is presented to recognize a faculty member’s contribution to the research community and to the research climate at Mount Saint Vincent University.

The importance of Valedictorians

Mount Saint Vincent University has a tradition in which a Valedictorian is selected to deliver the farewell address at each of the convocation ceremonies. The valedictory address is always a highlight of the convocation ceremony. Nominating is an opportunity for you to have a voice in shaping this part of your graduation ceremony.

Eligibility

To be eligible for selection, nominees must:

• have a minimum GPA of 2.7 in the most recent five units of coursework and;
• have made significant contributions to extra-curricular activities at the Mount and/or community-at-large.

A sub-committee of the Academic Policy and Planning Committee will review the nominations along with the students’ academic records and present the candidates for Senate approval. Final notification will be sent to the students who are selected to be the Class Valedictorians.

Submitting your nomination

Spring 2022 Graduands: Information to be posted.

View previous Valedictory addresses, as well as full Convocation ceremonies, on MSVU’s YouTube channel.

I have a question. What should I do?
If you require information outside of what is provided above before being posted to the website, please contact convocation@msvu.ca or contact the appropriate person as listed below.

• Questions regarding your Application to Graduate? Email convocation@msvu.ca
• Alumni Framing Services can be contacted at alumni@msvu.ca
• For information about graduation rings or mount clothing, contact karen.mathieu@msvu.ca
• Media inquiries can be sent to Gillian.Batten@msvu.ca

Parking

Accessible parking is available throughout campus, though the most convenient for those attending convocation is located adjacent to the International Education Centre, which is directly across from the Seton Academic Centre (see campus map). You will then cross College Road to enter the Seton Academic Centre through an accessible entrance.

This entrance will bring you to the fourth floor of the Seton Academic Centre. Once inside, turn to your right to access an elevator at the end if hall, which will take you to the fifth floor where convocation guests enter the Seton Auditorium.

Note that security staff will be posted at the International Education Centre to assist with parking.

Seating in Seton Auditorium

All guests are asked to enter the Seton Auditorium via the fifth floor. Guests using a wheelchair should enter Seton Auditorium via the entrance marked Seton Auditorium C, as accessible seating is available in this section.

Washrooms

There are a number of accessible washrooms located in Seton Academic Centre (see campus map). The most convenient accessible washroom for convocation guests is located on the fifth floor in room 548. This fully accessible washroom has been newly renovated and is gender neutral.

ASL interpretation

Two interpreters will provide American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation during the convocation ceremonies.

Student jobs available during convocation

Mount students are encouraged to apply for job opportunities during Convocation. Those hired will work alongside a variety of University departmental teams on tasks ranging from parking to degree framing and assisting grads prepare for their ceremony.

If you are interested, submit your resume according to the directions given below. Positions may be filled in advance based on the quantity and quality of applications received.

Important:

• Students must have a social insurance number to be eligible for hiring.
• Jobs below pay a minimum of $12.95 per hour, plus 4% vacation pay.

Gown Assistants

Required for:

• Set-up
• Ceremonies (all)

Apply with resume (including email address) in the Dean’s Office, Seton 301.

Ushers (20)

Required for:

• Training (2 hours)
• Ceremonies (8 hours)
• Chancellor’s Dinner (4 hours)

Apply with resume to Kim Campbell, President’s Office, Evaristus 205.

Parking Attendants

Required for:

• Approximately 8 hours per day

Apply at the Assisi Security Desk.