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Convocation marks both the end of classes and studying and the beginning of graduating students’ careers, but above all it’s a time of celebration. Elizabeth Sanford has organized 10 spring Convocations in her role as the Schulich School of Law’s assistant to the Dean, and she loves everything about it.

“It’s the best day of the year,” says Sanford. “It’s the students’ last day of law school, when they can forget about how much money they spent and how hard exams were. It’s the one day they can really enjoy before they write the Bar exam. They’re so happy, and we’re thrilled to see them go on to new challenges. We hope their Convocation is a day they’ll always remember.”

With assistance from the Academic and Graduate Associate Dean’s offices, Sanford starts planning for spring Convocation the previous October, after fall Convocation ends, and works hard behind the scenes to juggle all of the moving parts. Whether it’s relaying details to students, accommodating their special circumstances, or even learning the pronunciation of their names, Sanford has it covered.

The students are so happy, and we’re thrilled to see them go on to new challenges. We hope their Convocation is a day they’ll always remember.

Typically students will have their hoods pinned to their gowns at the Weldon Law Building before they head next door to the Cohn for the ceremony. Sanford assembles a team of six to 10 volunteers to help pin about 160 students. “It takes seconds to pin each student, and it’s nice when you pin someone you know. The students talk to each other and to me. Some are chatty, some are quiet, some are way too tall!”

For the most part, the ceremonies have gone smoothly. “No one has tripped, although someone walked across the stage in bare feet once, which startled me,” says Sanford. “We work very hard to make sure that everything runs smoothly. And I don’t stress about things I can’t control, like the weather.”

Part of the law school family

At the Cohn, Sanford is the last person standing by the stairs next to the stage, timing each student so when one is walking across the stage, the next one is ascending from the aisle. “I don’t get to watch every student cross the stage because I’m watching the next ones coming,” she says. “It’s like an assembly line.”

One part of Convocation that Sanford really enjoy is meeting the families. “They’re so proud and happy, and such an important support system, both financially and emotionally. I think we recognize that as much as the students do.”

When Convocation is over, Sanford breathes a sigh of relief. “Each ceremony is unique because they’re different students. I’m always so happy that they’ve made it through. Every student is part of the law school family.”

Just because the students are leaving the law school doesn’t mean the relationships with them are ending, however. “Convocation is a stepping stone to them becoming alumni,” says Sanford. “We have an incredible alumni network, and we’re always looking to build our community.”