Photo gallery: Athabasca University convocation through the years
We’ve been celebrating convocation since 1977! See how the annual tradition has changed over the years
Athabasca University’s (AU) first convocation ceremony took place in 1977 with a graduating class of two. The ceremony featured a president’s installation, graduation, and a film premiere all in one event!
Over the years, as our graduating classes have grown, so too have our convocation ceremonies. This year, 1,950 grads will receive AU parchments as part of the Class of 2024, one of the largest in the university’s history.
Convocation 2024 also marks an exciting return to AU’s home community of Athabasca, making for a celebration like no other!
Check out this snapshot of AU history from convocation through the years!
![CF-Convocations-1977-Convocation-program-2 The image is from the inside cover of the 1977 convocation program and features the original AU logo in a teal-coloured pattern.](https://www.athabascau.ca/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/CF-Convocations-1977-Convocation-program-2.jpg)
![1991.056.11338_0001_0025 Neil Henry places a convocation hood on the shoulders of a university graduate circa 1980.](https://www.athabascau.ca/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/1991.056.11338_0001_0025.jpg)
![1991.056_12928_0022 A grad (center) is sitting down holding his parchment, on either side is his two young daughters.](https://www.athabascau.ca/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/1991.056_12928_0022.jpg)
![1991.056_12913_0007 People dancing at a convocation ceremony in the 80s](https://www.athabascau.ca/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/1991.056_12913_0007.jpg)
![1991.056-07653 A graduate crosses the stage to receive their degree in this photo](https://www.athabascau.ca/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/1991.056-07653.jpg)
![2000.65.398_001_0037 Image of graduate recieiving degree. AU’s founding colours were blue and green, as shown here in this photo circa 1984. Though AU’s brand colours are orange and dark blue currently, the original blue and green can still be seen on AU’s coat of arms. The colours reference AU’s connection to central and northern Alberta.](https://www.athabascau.ca/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/2000.65.398_001_0037.jpg)
![2000.65.409_002_0013_Randi-Allan-&-Stephen-Murgatroyd- Former AU dean Dr. Stephen Murgatroyd (right) stands with staffer Randi Allan prior to convocation ceremonies circa 1995](https://www.athabascau.ca/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/2000.65.409_002_0013_Randi-Allan-Stephen-Murgatroyd-.jpg)
![1991.056.14729 In this photo, taken around 1986, graduates join hands in celebration.](https://www.athabascau.ca/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/1991.056.14729.jpg)
![1991.056-11123_0035 A graduate, presumably a mother, holds a baby and a degree parchment following convocation ceremonies circa 1984](https://www.athabascau.ca/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/1991.056-11123_0035.jpg)
![1991.056-10406_0080 The kneeling stool, shown here in this photo from around 1986, is a ceremonial tradition at convocation ceremonies.](https://www.athabascau.ca/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/1991.056-10406_0080.jpg)
![1991.056.12857_0073 AU graduates celebrate convocation under a tent at AU campus in Athabasca in this undated photo, likely from the 1990s.](https://www.athabascau.ca/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/1991.056.12857_0073.jpg)
![14590272156_4814a4c478_o The Athabasca University Mace is displayed prominently at every convocation.](https://www.athabascau.ca/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/14590272156_4814a4c478_o.jpg)
![2009.005-_DSC3695 Members of the Yellow Ribbon Dancers perform at convocation in 2006.](https://www.athabascau.ca/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/2009.005-_DSC3695.jpg)
![Convocation-bus-1920-1282 view of a street in Athabasca from inside a charter bus](https://www.athabascau.ca/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Convocation-bus-1920-1282.jpg)
![AU_Convocation A new AU graduate celebrates convocation in 2015 with her proud family.](https://www.athabascau.ca/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/AU_Convocation.jpg)
![pamphlets-2015-06-11_9962 Athabasca University convocation programs](https://www.athabascau.ca/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/pamphlets-2015-06-11_9962.jpg)
![Athabasca-signing-poster-1920-1282 An AU graduate signs a poster](https://www.athabascau.ca/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Athabasca-signing-poster-1920-1282.jpg)
![Convocation2017-piper-1920-1282](https://www.athabascau.ca/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Convocation2017-piper-1920-1282.jpg)
![Athabasca-behind-scenes-1920-1282 video crew films a graduate and their family inside the Athabasca Regional Multiplex](https://www.athabascau.ca/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Athabasca-behind-scenes-1920-1282.jpg)
![2018AU_Stage-and-Event-Photos-6996 Dr. Neil Fassina, who served as AU president from 2016 until 2021, gives high fives to graduates of the Class of 2018. Fassina made it a tradition to high five all graduates before they crossed the stage.](https://www.athabascau.ca/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/2018AU_Stage-and-Event-Photos-6996.jpg)
![Louisa-Daley AU’s oldest-ever graduate, Louisa Daley, celebrates convocation and her Bachelor of General Studies in 2018 at the age of 93.](https://www.athabascau.ca/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Louisa-Daley.jpg)
![convocation-2018-127 A group of Master of Nursing graduates celebrate their special day during a ceremony in 2018.](https://www.athabascau.ca/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/convocation-2018-127.jpg)
![convocation-2019-24 Image of the convocation stage in 2019.](https://www.athabascau.ca/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/convocation-2019-24.jpg)
![AUConvocation_Jun72019-161 Members of ASANI sing and perform drums during opening ceremonies at convocation in Westerner Park Exhibition Hall in 2019.](https://www.athabascau.ca/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/AUConvocation_Jun72019-161.jpg)
![convocation-2019-Rick-Hansen-199 Canadian icon Rick Hansen received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from AU in 2019.](https://www.athabascau.ca/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/convocation-2019-Rick-Hansen-199.jpg)
![IMG_4874 This photo shows the platform party—wearing masks and spaced 2 metres apart—on stage at a recording of the convocation ceremony that was later broadcasted to the graduates.](https://www.athabascau.ca/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/IMG_4874.jpg)
![IMG_4654 A lone organist plays during the convocation ceremony in 2020. The broadcast was recorded at the Winspear Centre in Edmonton.](https://www.athabascau.ca/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/IMG_4654.jpg)
![20220517_AthabascaU_Convocation_043 Dr. Matthew Prineas, provost and vice-president academic, delivers an address at convocation in 2022.](https://www.athabascau.ca/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/20220517_AthabascaU_Convocation_043.jpg)
![wanda dalla costa Dr. Alex Clark holding an honoary degree for Wanda Dalla Costa who is receiving her hood from faculty of humanities and social sciences dean Dr. Manijeh Mannani](https://www.athabascau.ca/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/wanda-dalla-costa.png)
![audience audience shot of excited attendees holding up their phones and taking pictures](https://www.athabascau.ca/news/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/audience.png)
Convocation 2024—a celebration like no other!
Read more stories about AU students and grads as part of our Convocation 2024 coverage.