Dear potential members of the Graduating Class of 2021,
As I shared with you in a message on February 16, we had to make the difficult decision to postpone this year’s Encaenia ceremony until we can have it safely. When that time comes, we will fully celebrate your achievements, your time together at King’s, and all of your contributions to our community, with all the pomp and circumstance that you expect to experience at a proper Encaenia ceremony.
While we understand that it is disappointing not to have an in-person ceremony immediately follow the completion of your degree, we are planning ways to help you celebrate safely on and around the graduation date of May 27, and we invite your participation in this process. And I reiterate our commitment to you to hold Encaenia in person when such events become possible again.
For now, here are a few of the things that you as graduands can expect:
- Celebratory video for 2021 graduands, as well as a formal video of the reading of names of all graduates of the class of 2021
- Graduands will have the chance to be part of the celebratory video, and more information about this will be shared soon
- Facebook Watch Party for the chance to see the video together, wherever you are
- A special package for all graduates, including your parchment, will be sent by the end of June
- We will confirm further details (like your mailing address) with you later in April to ensure you receive your package and parchment as quickly as possible
- For those in Halifax, or who can travel to Halifax safely, we will soon share information about a photography opportunity on campus with gown and hood
I recognize that these activities won’t fully replicate Encaenia, but I hope they will give you an opportunity to celebrate now, in a different way until the in-person ceremony is possible again.
I’m very proud of you and how you’ve stayed together and persevered through this year, despite its many challenges, as well as the final difficult months of 2019-2020. If anyone deserves a celebration, it is you!
Yours in solidarity,
Bill
William Lahey
President and Vice-Chancellor
