Holland College | 2023 Graduation Information

Please note that graduation dates, times, venues, and the number of guests you can invite are subject to change. Holland College runs all events in compliance with current guidelines from the provincial Chief Public Health Office. Should a change occur, affected graduates will be notified through their Holland College email.

We know that you have lots of questions, so please read the information below to find out more about our graduation ceremonies.

WATCH PREVIOUS GRADUATION CEREMONIES

MONDAY, MAY 29 – HARBOURFRONT THEATRE, 1 PM

Administrative Assistant – West Prince Campus and distance learning cohorts
Automotive Technology
Computer Information Systems – Summerside Waterfront Campus and distance learning cohorts
Construction Electrical
Carpentry
Electromechanical Technology
HVAC
Human Services West
Industrial Electrical
Power Engineering
Practical Nursing West
Precision Machinist
Small Business Manager – West Prince Campus and distance learning cohorts
Wind Turbine Technology
Welding Fabrication Year One

TUESDAY, MAY 30 – MCMILLAN CENTRE FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, 2PM

Architectural Technology
Child & Youth Care Worker
Computer Information Systems – Prince of Wales Cohort
Construction Technology & Management
Early Childhood Assistant
Energy Systems Engineering Technology
Fundamental Arts
Graphic Design
Heritage Retrofit Carpentry
Journalism & Communications
Journalism & Communications Post Graduate Program
Music Performance
Photography/Videography
Plumbing/Pipefitting
Video Game Art & Animation
Welding Fabrication
Wildlife Conservation Technology

WEDNESDAY, MAY 31 – MCMILLAN CENTRE FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, 10AM

Culinary Arts
Data Analytics
Human Resource Management
International Hospitality Management
Marketing & Advertising Management
Tourism & Travel Management (all pathways)
Pastry Arts
Project Management

WEDNESDAY, MAY 31 – MCMILLAN CENTRE FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, 2PM

Accounting Technology
Business Administration
Kinesiology
Medical Support Services
Occupational Therapy Assistant/Physiotherapy Assistant
Primary Care Paramedicine
Sport & Recreation

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28 – MCMILLAN CENTRE FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, 2PM

Aircraft Turbine Technician
Bioscience Technology
Bioscience Technology Joint Degree
Bioscience Technology Post Graduate Program
Computer Networking Technology
Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE and Blended)
Educational Assistant
Electronics Engineering Technology
Environment Applied Science Technology
Human Services – Prince of Wales Cohort
Practical Nursing
Resident Care Worker – Prince of Wales Cohort

THURSDAY, AUGUST 3 – FLORENCE SIMMONS PERFORMANCE HALL, 1PM.

Advanced Care Paramedicine – Prince of Wales and distance learning cohorts
Dental Assisting
Early Childhood Care & Education - Accelerated
Legal Administration
Resident Care Worker – West Prince Campus Cohort

Before
Graduation Day
Graduation Day
Details

Do I need to apply for graduation?

Yes! You must apply to graduate and submit your notice to attend through Webadvisor by March 10 to finalize your credential, transcript, and attendance. Apply to graduate here.

ARE GUESTS ALLOWED?

Yes! Guests are welcome to attend and celebrate your success! All our ceremonies have a limit of two guests per graduate, but you can request additional tickets when you submit your Application to Graduate. Requests for extra tickets go on a waiting list and will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests must have their ticket to enter the graduation.

HOW DO MY GUESTS GET THEIR TICKETS?

You must pick up your guests' tickets from the person listed below for your location:
Summerside Waterfront Campus – Grecia Gallant
Marine Training Centre – Laura Cormier
West Prince Campus – Julie Gavin
Prince of Wales Campus & Georgetown Centre – Tracey Vessey (1st floor Montgomery Hall)
Tourism & Culinary Centre – Rebeca Aghdasy

You will be notified via your Holland College email when the tickets are ready for pick up. Every effort will be made to have tickets available prior to the last day of classes for the semester.

The name on my Application to Graduate is incorrect - Can I change it?

When you log in to apply to graduate you will see the legal name that you submitted on your program application when you first applied to Holland College. If this is incorrect for legal reasons, such as if you married and legally changed your last name, you must submit this form and legal documentation showing the name change to Tara MacCallum, Room 220, Montgomery Hall or by email to tmaccallum@hollandcollege.com.

You cannot change the name on the Application to Graduate if it is different because of a personal preference. For example, if your legal name is Jane Doe but you go by Sarah Doe, your diploma must be issued with your legal name, Jane Doe. You can add Sarah Doe to the “Preferred name announced at graduation” section of the application to graduate if you would like to.

How do I know if I am eligible to graduate?

Login to your Webadvisor account and run your program evaluation. This will confirm whether you have met all your program’s graduation requirements.

I have a financial hold on my account, can I still graduate?

No. If you have an outstanding balance on your account, you cannot attend graduation, obtain final transcripts or obtain a copy of your diploma.

Will I be able to get professional grad photos prior to graduation?

Heckbert's Photography of Summerside is the official photographer for Holland College graduations. If you live in Summerside or West Prince, you can book an appointment to have your portrait taken in the studio in Summerside. Heckbert's will also offer on-campus sessions at the Tourism & Culinary Centre and Prince of Wales Campus in March 2023. For more information, visit this page.

If I do not attend graduation, how do I get my diploma?

If you have earned a credential but do not attend your in-person graduation, we will mail your diploma to you. Make sure your address is up to date in Webadvisor.

ARE THERE GRADUATION AWARDS OR SPECIAL DISTINCTIONS?

Yes! See the list of graduation awards and distinctions below.

Valedictorian
Each graduation ceremony will see one student hold the distinction of Valedictorian. This distinction is nomination based and will require a speech at graduation from the recipient. Staff, faculty, and students can nominate graduates for the distinction, or students can choose to self-nominate but must include two letters of support, one must be from a faculty member. The criterion of this distinction is: academic achievement, strong moral compass, and leadership within their program. Nominations and submissions will be accepted from March 20 to April 2, 2023.

Staff, faculty and students can submit their nominations here.
Students can self-nominate here.
Application-based awards
Several programs have graduation awards students can apply for. If your program has one of these available, you will receive an email in April from awards@hollandcollege.com with application details.
Governor General’s Collegiate Bronze Medal
Holland College presents 2 students with the Governor General’s Collegiate Bronze Medal each year. This award is academic-based, and students do not apply. There is one award for Charlottetown & East and one for Summerside & West. This distinction is given to the highest aggregate of each jurisdiction.
President’s Award of Dedication
The President’s Award of Dedication was created in 2022 to celebrate students who have made an impression on their learning managers with their personal achievement both in and outside of the classroom, their dedication to their program and their ability to make a positive contribution to their class and/or campus. This award is chosen by the program and learning managers and students do not apply. There is one award per program department.

When is graduation?

There are several graduation dates. Check here to see the date, time, and location of your graduation.

Is the graduation venue accessible?

Charlottetown Ceremonies: The MacMillan Centre for Community Engagement and Florence Simmons Performance Hall are both accessible. The MCCE has a full ramp with accessibility to the gym floor seating area. The FSPH is fully accessible with space for wheelchair seating at the top of the tiered seating. If our staff are made aware of an accessibility requirement in advance, we can arrange for seating to be available at the front of the theatre. You can request accessibility accommodations for yourself or a guest when you complete your Application to Graduate

Summerside Ceremonies: The Harbourfront Theatre is fully wheelchair accessible, with availability in Row T in the Centre, North and South seating sections. You can request accessibility accommodations for yourself or a guest when you complete your Application to Graduate

When should I arrive and where should I go?

McMillan Centre for Community Engagement (MCCE) Ceremonies: Please arrive at the Centre for Applied Science and Technology one hour before your ceremony start time to congregate with your class. You are asked to enter through the Kent Street entrance where you will register and be directed to the appropriate room by college staff. Guests enter through the front doors of MCCE no earlier than 1 hour prior to the ceremony start time.

Summerside Ceremony: Please arrive one hour before your ceremony start time. Enter through the main entrance of the campus and proceed to the sunroom to register. You will then be directed to the appropriate room by college staff. Guests enter through the front door of Harbourfront Theatre no earlier than 30 minutes prior to the ceremony start time.

Florence Simmons Performance Hall Ceremony: Please arrive one hour before the ceremony start time. Enter through the Charlottetown Centre main entrance on Kent Street to register. You will then be directed to the appropriate room by college staff. Guests enter through the Weymouth Street entrance of the Charlottetown Centre no earlier than 1 hour prior to the ceremony start time.

How do I get my gown?

Gowns are provided by a third-party vendor on graduation day. You will be asked to include your size when you submit your application to graduate. Please note that you are not permitted to leave campus with the gown. If the gown is not returned the third-party vendor will bill you directly for a replacement. All graduates are required to wear a graduation gown and stole with the exception of Pastry Arts and Culinary Arts. Graduates in those programs will wear their white coats for their ceremony.

If you require a gown prior to graduation day, please contact the following:

Charlottetown & East: Samuel’s Campus Store – campusstore@hollandcollege.com

Summerside & West: Andrew Dobson – adobson@hollandcollege.com

Is there a link to watch the ceremony online?

Yes! Watch the graduation ceremonies live here.

WILL THERE BE A PLACE FOR MY GUESTS TO TAKE PHOTOS?

To maintain a clear and safe pathway in our venues, we ask that guests refrain from moving throughout the venue or to the stage to take photos. A professional photographer will be on-site to take photos of every graduate as they cross the stage. You will be able to download your photo a few days after your ceremony. There will be lots of time after your ceremony to take photos with your friends and family around campus.

Where can I access the graduation ceremony photo gallery?

All photos can be found and downloaded at: https://hollandcollege.lencurrie.com
A special thank you to Len Currie for his photography.

What should I wear to graduation?

You are required to wear a Holland College gown and stole. You are encouraged, but not required, to wear business casual clothing. The gown length is approximately mid-calf, so please keep that in mind when choosing your outfit and footwear. The college does not permit any add-ons or alterations to graduation gowns and stoles such as flags, specialty sashes, or signs. Save those items for your celebrations after the ceremony!

Will there be a secure place for me to leave my personal belongings?

We discourage you from bringing any personal belongings that you cannot carry on your person, as there is no secure area where you can leave these items while you are participating in the ceremony. The college is not responsible for any loss or damage to items during the ceremonies

Where do I park?

McMillan Centre for Community Engagement: There is ample street parking on site. In addition to street parking, graduates and guests can use the student parking lot on Grafton Street.

Florence Simmons Performance Hall: There is ample street parking on site. In addition to street parking, graduates and guests can use the student parking lot on Grafton Street.

Harbourfront Theatre: There is a large parking lot on-site that guests can use.

Will I be able to purchase a frame or other souvenirs at graduation?

Yes! Samuel’s Campus Store staff will be there with diploma frames and graduation memorabilia. If you're looking for HC swag or other items, visit the stores in the Charlottetown Centre or on the Summerside Waterfront Campus, or shop online.

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2023 Graduation Information