Convocation 2026

Congratulations to the Class of 2026!

Welcome to Convocation 2026! This year marks the largest graduating class in ECU history. We congratulate all of this year’s graduating students on their hard work, dedication, creativity and innovation. We celebrate all you’ve accomplished as you embark on your next exciting chapter.

Welcome

Ceremony 1

Ceremony 2

Ceremonial Elements

Honorary Awards

Alumni Association

The Show

Donate to ECU

Congratulations from Carleen Thomas, Chancellor

My warmest congratulations to the largest graduating class in the history of Emily Carr University of Art + Design, and the first graduates of ECU’s second century. Your dedication, creativity and leadership are exemplary and do enormous honour to the generations of innovators who have come before you. Your success is an inspiration to us all, and we cannot wait to see what you accomplish as you begin your next chapter.

Congratulations from Dr. Trish Kelly, President + Vice-Chancellor

Today, as you cross the stage, you do so at a defining moment in ECU’s history. You take your place as the newest member of an esteemed community of thriving alumni which stretches back one hundred years. You also mark the moment when our eyes turn toward the future and imagine what the next century could be. And in a very real way, this will be a future defined by you — by your resilience, thoughtfulness, courage and creative excellence. I am heartened to know that the future is in the most capable and conscientious hands. Congratulations to the class of 2026.

Congratulations from Lorcan O’Melinn, Acting Board Chair

On behalf of the ECU Board of Governors, I would like to extend a resounding congratulations to the graduating class of 2026. We have been honoured to see the work you’ve created during your years of study and look forward to witnessing the ways you shape the world with your brilliance, integrity and sensitivity. We could not be prouder of what you have achieved and the example you have set. We wish you the very best as you step into this next opportunity to share your vision with the world.

Ceremony #1

Chan Centre for the Performing Arts
Thursday, May 14, 2026, 10:00am

Processional

GRADUANDS WILL BE LED BY
Aan’yas (Austin Harry), Drummer

THE CHANCELLOR’S PARTY WILL BE LED BY
Xwalacktun (Rick Harry), Drummer, Emily Carr Alum

Kajola Morewood
Mace Bearer

Carleen Thomas
Chancellor

Dr. Trish Kelly
President + Vice Chancellor

Neko Case
Honorary Doctor of Letters Recipient

Diyan Achjadi
Vice-President Academic + Provost

Peter Morin
Emily Award Recipient

Ceremony

OPENING REMARKS + WELCOME
Diyan Achjadi
Vice-President, Academic + Provost

CHANCELLOR’S ADDRESS
Carleen Thomas

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS
Dr. Trish Kelly

CONFERRAL OF HONORARY DEGREES + PRESENTATION OF EMILY AWARD

Neko Case
Honorary Doctor of Letters Recipient

EMILY AWARD PRESENTED BY
Dr. Trish Kelly

Peter Morin
Emily Award Recipient

PRESENTATION OF MEDALS
Lieutenant Governor’s Medal

PRESENTATION OF DEGREES
Saanvi Bhat + Jonah Randell
Undergraduate Student Convocation Speakers

Celeste Martin
Dean, Ian Gillespie
Faculty of Design + Dynamic Media

INTRODUCTION OF BACHELOR OF DESIGN IN
Communication Design
Industrial Design
Interaction Design

INTRODUCTION OF BACHELOR OF MEDIA ARTS IN
2D + Experimental Animation
3D Computer Animation
Film + Screen Arts

CLOSING REMARKS

Faculty of Design + Dynamic Media

Download the Digital Program

Ceremony #2

Chan Centre for the Performing Arts
Thursday, May 14, 2026, 2:30pm

Processional

GRADUANDS WILL BE LED BY
Carla George, Drummer

THE CHANCELLOR’S PARTY WILL BE LED BY
Sheryl Rivers, Drummer

Kajola Morewood
Mace Bearer

Carleen Thomas
Chancellor

Dr. Trish Kelly
President + Vice-Chancellor

Glenn Alteen
Honorary Doctor of Letters Recipient

Faye HeavyShield
Honorary Doctor of Letters Recipient

Diyan Achjadi
Vice-President, Academic + Provost

Program

OPENING REMARKS + WELCOME
Diyan Achjadi
Vice-President, Academic + Provost

CHANCELLOR’S ADDRESS
Carleen Thomas

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS
Dr. Trish Kelly

CONFERRAL OF HONORARY DEGREES
Glenn Alteen
Faye Heavyshield

HONORARY DOCTOR OF LETTERS RECIPIENTS
Presented by Dr. Trish Kelly

PRESENTATION OF MEDALS
Governor General’s Gold Medal
Governor General’s Silver Medal

PRESENTATION OF DEGREES
Shara Hamed
Graduate Student Convocation Speaker

INTRODUCTION OF MASTER OF FINE ARTS + MASTER OF DESIGN CANDIDATES

Justin Langlois
Associate Vice-President, Research + Dean, Jake Kerr Faculty of Graduate Studies

Shara Hamed
Undergraduate Student Convocation Speaker

Jacqueline Turner
Dean, Faculty of Culture + Community

INTRODUCTION OF BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS AND CRITICAL + CULTURAL PRACTICES CANDIDATES

Amory Abbott
Dean, Audain Faculty of Art (Interim)

INTRODUCTION OF BACHELOR OF MEDIA ARTS AND NEW MEDIA + SOUND ART CANDIDATES

INTRODUCTION OF BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS IN
Illustration
Photography
Visual Arts candidates

CLOSING REMARKS

Graduate Studies
Faculty of Art
Faculty of Culture + Community

Download the Digital Program

Heraldry

Emily Carr University’s coat of arms was commissioned by the Board of Governors and developed under the direction of Mr. Robert D. Watt, Chief Herald of Canada.

Elements of the coat of arms include: a shield with a geometric allusion to perspective, a crest rising from a wreath of blue and white depicting a raven in Coast Salish style that represents transformation and cleverness, and two crows (noted for their intelligence) who support the shield on either side and represent the University’s urban setting. The Crest was designed by Susan A. Point (D. Litt), First Nations artist and past Board member of Emily Carr University.

EYE, MIND + HAND
The Emily Carr University motto links together the notion of perception and visualization of the world through the eyes, the operation of the artist’s mind in the creative process and the use of hands to bring an idea to life.

Mace

Designed and carved by Aboriginal artist and alumnus Xwalacktun (Rick Harry), the Emily Carr University Mace is carved from mahogany with a base of yellow cedar and depicts the elements of an eagle, a human figure, a map of British Columbia and bells.

The handle is representative of a talking stick, used in Aboriginal ceremonies for centuries. The intricately carved swirl in the base is designed to emphasize the power of the mace.

Honorary Doctorate + Emily Award Recipients

Each year at convocation, we celebrate our Honorary Award winners for outstanding achievements in their field. These include the Emily Award for alumni and Honorary Degrees that recognize individuals for their significant creative and philanthropic contributions.

Emily Carr University of Art + Design (ECU) is pleased to confer Honorary Degrees to indie icon and Grammy-nominated musician Neko Case, grunt gallery co-founder and curator Glen Alteen, and sculptor and installation artist Faye HeavyShield for their exemplary contributions to our local and global arts communities.

This year’s Emily Award will be presented to Peter Morin, artist, curator and professor, for his significant achievements in art, media and design.

Find out more

What Comes Next?

Congratulations on completing your degree! We’re proud to welcome you to our renowned alumni community. Your new alum status comes with perks. Upon graduating, you automatically become a member of the Emily Carr University Alumni Association, which grants you free access to a number of benefits and services. Visit us for details and start enjoying your alumni privileges today.

You’re now part of an alum group with connections around the world. Stay connected through our social media channels, join our networking platform, The Leeway, and get to know the alumni association board at ecuaa.ca.

Please share your news and successes with us so we can continue to cheer you on!

Find out more