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UBC Ceremonies and Events Office is responsible for coordinating the University’s ceremonial recognition and formal university-wide events, as well as annual events on behalf of the President’s Office and other units, in support of the University’s Strategic Plan.
Formal University-Wide Events
Graduation
Ceremonies and Events is the main office responsible for the Spring and Fall Graduation (Congregation) Ceremonies. Held in UBC’s Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, the ceremonies include the conferring of academic and honorary degrees. Read more on UBC’s Graduation site.
Remembrance Day Ceremony
The UBC Remembrance Day ceremony is held annually on November 11 in the War Memorial Gym and is attended by over 1,000 faculty, staff, students and members of the off-campus community. For more information, see UBC Remembrance Day Ceremony.
Breakfast with the President
Held several times throughout the year, Breakfast with the President offers small groups of UBC students, staff and faculty the opportunity to interact with Professor Santa Ono and their peers. Held at Norman MacKenzie House, the President’s Residence, attendance is limited to a total of 28 guests. If you would like to attend a Breakfast with the President, please complete the form here. A member of the Ceremonies and Events team will contact you if a space becomes available.
Employee Recognition Events
25 Year Club and Quarter Century Club Dinners
These annual dinners recognize staff and faculty, respectively, who have achieved 25 and 35 years of service. For more information, see the 25 Year Club or the Quarter Century Club pages.
UBC Welcome Back Staff BBQ
Each September, the University welcomes UBC staff to the new academic year at the Welcome Back Staff BBQ. Over 4,000 staff gather at Flagpole Plaza for the BBQ lunch, live entertainment and information booths. Due to Covid-19 this event has been cancelled for 2020.
Faculty and Staff Recognition
UBC Ceremonies and Events is involved with a number of faculty and staff recognition activities on campus:
UBC Staff Service Recognition Program
The UBC Staff Service Recognition Program includes the President’s Service Award for Excellence (PSAE), UBC Vancouver President’s Staff Awards, and UBC Okanagan Staff Awards of Excellence.
Donor Recognition Events
The Ceremonies and Events Office works closely with other campus units on building openings, program launches and various donor recognition lunches, dinners and receptions.
Student, Staff and Faculty Awards
Entrance Awards Reception and Premier Undergraduate Awards Reception
These annual events recognize students for their achievements and are coordinated in conjunction with the Student Financial Assistance & Awards Office.
Staff Recognition Awards
Ceremonies and Events coordinates annual events to celebrate the recipients of the President’s Staff Awards, the President’s Service Award for Excellence. Learn more about Staff Recognition Awards.
Faculty Award Receptions
A number of events are held through-out the year to acknowledge the achievements of faculty, including the Killam Teaching Awards, the new UBC members of the Royal Society of Canada, and other awards from granting councils such as CFI and Canada Research Chairs.
Donor Relations & Stewardship Events
Annual and special events to recognize members of the community for their support of the university are coordinated in conjunction with Donor Relations & Stewardship.
United Way Receptions
Ceremonies and Events coordinates an annual reception for the leadership donors to the United Way of the Lower Mainland and the Thank You reception for UBC Community United Way volunteers. Ceremonies and Events also serves as the base for the UBC Community United Way Campaign Office. For more information, go to the UBC Community United Way Campaign.
Installations
The UBC Ceremonies and Events Office coordinates the formal installations of the University’s President and Chancellor.