That’s a wrap: NSCAD confers degrees to the Class of 2020

As you know, NSCAD University postponed its spring 2020 convocation due to COVID-19, just one of the many measures taken to limit the pandemic’s spread and protect our community’s health and safety.

While life on campus will not be business as usual for a little while longer, we certainly appreciate that cancelling convocation was a huge disappointment to our graduating students and their families, friends, teachers and mentors. The milestone celebration would have also been a chance for graduates to say goodbye to friends, or for them to thank faculty and staff who take enormous pride their accomplishments. Despite the frustrations, let this be a time of joy and gratitude.

Graduates’ parchments, the legal document embossed with the university seal, their name and degree, can only be given after the degrees have been conferred. Obviously, it has been an unprecedented, challenging and protracted journey to be able to do this for everyone in the Class of 2020, but we’ve made it.

Last week, NSCAD Interim President Sarah McKinnon was busy signing the custom, hand-crafted parchments that recently arrived for the almost 200 graduates of NSCAD’s Class of 2020 who have completed their degree in a year like no other in our history. These graduates will build upon their experience and make art, craft and design matter even more because more than ever we need art to help cope with pandemic-driven stress.

Students who were awarded degrees in the 2020 in-absentia convocation will be invited to participate in an in-person convocation ceremony when public health directives permit. More details will be communicated as they become available and posted to the nscad.ca website.

It has been a bumpy ride over the last nine months but remember that uncertain times eventually end and following the road less travelled can turn into unimaginable opportunities.

To the NSCAD Class of 2020, we proudly acknowledge your persistence and celebrate your success.

Congratulations!