DCHP-3

convocation

DCHP-2 (Nov 2012)

Spelling variants:
Convocation

1n. — Education

a graduation ceremony, usually for universities.

Type: 3. Semantic Change — This meaning of convocation evolved from the general meaning of 'the state of being called together' (see OED-3, s.v. "convocation" (1)) and 'an assembly of the University' (see OED-3, s.v "convocation" (4a)). It is likely a semantic development from the term used for the legislative assemblies of the English universities, which adopted the meaning from ecclesiastical meetings. It was also used in Canada for what are now called high school graduation ceremonies (see the 1900 quotation).
In the British university system, these ceremonies are called degree or graduation ceremonies, while at American universities, the event is usually called a commencement. Some US universities have both ceremonies, where the commencement is a university-wide event and the convocation is for individual colleges presenting degrees to graduate-level individuals (see also University of Oklahoma reference).
See also COD-2, s.v. "convocation" (1), which is marked " N. Amer", OED-3, s.v. "convocation" (4a), which is marked "In the English Universities", W-3, s.v. "convocation" (d(2)), which is marked "at some Canadian universities".

Quotations

1849
The Convocation was held, as usual, in the Chamber of the Legislative Assembly in Parliament Buildings, and shortly after the doors were thrown open at half-past one o'clock, every inch of the space allotted to visitors was densely crowded. We observed a very large number of ladies present, who appeared to watch the proceedings throughout with lively interest. Shortly before three o'clock his Excellency the Chancellor, accompanied by the officers and professors of the University and the graduates and under graduates, together with the masters of Upper C. College, entered the hall and took their respective stations.
1888
A special convocation of Toronto university was held Monday afternoon, for the [xxx] of degrees in arts and agriculture. The proceedings were invested with [xxx] than usual interest from the fact that [xxx] of bachelor of the science of [xxx] was conferred by the university [xxx] the first time.
1900
The annual convocation of Orangeville High School was held on Friday, the 24th last. The distribution of certificates, diplomas and prizes was made during the afternoon at the high school building. The certificates and diplomas were presented to successful candidates by the Rev. Chancellor Wallace of McMaster University, Toronto, and the prizes won at the annual games were presented to the winners by Rev. Mr. Burrell of Orangeville.
1920
An interesting feature of the Convocation was the valedictory of Rev. Dr. Wallace as Dean and Professor of the college. [...] Rev. Dr. James Endicott, Secretary of Foreign Missions, delivered a brilliant address to the graduation class, and read them a few lessons on what was to be expected from the modern preacher.
1936
Jack D. Wilson, after being one of two students in Arts to get first-class general standing and Board of Governors' scholarships three years in succession, graduated at the recent convocation of the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Science degree and honors in Mathematics.
1956
All 58 final-year students of the University of Western Ontario medical school passed their examinations and will receive the degree of Doctor of Medicine at convocation on May 26. Two honorary Doctorates of Laws will be conferred at convocation.
1988
Four members of the family will be stepping up to receive degrees - in medicine, law, education and archival studies - at University of B.C. May convocation ceremonies.
1990
One of two convocations this spring, the ceremony saw 17 persons don the orange hood of Master of Environmental Design, 61 wear the Bachelor of Laws purple and 74 the dark green of Doctor of Medicine.
2005
Up to 11 Inuit graduates of the Akitsiraq program will receive law degrees at a special convocation June 21 to be attended by Gov. Gen. Adrienne Clarkson.
2014
Dr. Robert Thirsk is one of two special honourees at Vancouver Island University's winter convocation ceremonies on Jan. 30-31. More than 200 master's and bachelor's degrees, diplomas and certificates will be awarded during the two-day event at the Port Theatre.
2n. — Administration

a provincial law society's governing council.

Type: 3. Semantic Change — This meaning of convocation is marked as Canadian in the COD-2, and it is very similar to the general definition of 'an assembly of people called together' (see OED-3, s.v. "convocation" (2)). This meaning has specialized to refer to a meeting of governing officials of law societies in Canada, who are also known as benchers (see entry).
See also COD-2, s.v. "convocation" (3), which is marked "Cdn Law".
See: bencher

Quotations

1848
The issue of the late insurrection, the presence of a strong garrison and the expulsion of its peccant members from the government, had reassured the assembly, and given it a freedom of action which it had note ventured to exercise at any time since its convocation on the 4th May. It now dares to manifest its true sentiments in favor of a strong and firm Government, and against the perilous utopianisms of the democratic and social republicanists.
1866
Mr. Crooks is so dissatisfied with the proceedings in convocation that he has resigned his seat as a bencher. This is a very decided and important step, and we cannot fairly suppose that Mr. Crooks would have taken it without due consideration or without a very strong feeling that the the circumstances justified it.
1893
The following is from The Evening Telegram of St. John's, Newfoundland: -- "A convocation of the Law Society was held on Tuesday afternoon, to elect a Treasurer and Bencher in the room of the late Robert J. Kent, Q.C."
1901
Mr. Watson read the report of a meeting of representatives from the County Law Associations of the Province with the special committee of benchers appointed by Convocation to consider the Attorney-General's circular letter regarding law reform.
1926
The Ontario Bar Association at a dinner meeting last night passed a resolution to petition the Benchers of the Law Society of Upper Canada to raise the standard governing matriculants seeking entrance to the Ontario Law School. Whereas the present requirements for this class of would-be lawyers are junior matriculation and honor matriculation in four subjects, the resolution urges that the requirements be raised to the equivalent of two years' college work -- that the applicant must have completed the first two years in Queen's, Western or the University of Toronto, or any other university approved by Convocation.
1936
At a special convocation of the benchers of the Law Society of Upper Canada on Feb. 21 Lord Tweedsmuir will be called to the Ontario Bar.
1963
In September of 1932, Walter B. Williston addressed a meeting of Convocation and complained about the handling of the cases of Regina versus Turpin and Regina versus Lucas.
1989
A motion by criminal lawyer Clayton Ruby to have charges of professional misconduct laid against four Toronto lawyers was ruled out of order yesterday at the convocation of the Law Society of Upper Canada.
1996
Ms. Callwood's committee recommended that the Law Society appoint a complaints officer who could order lawyers to rectify "shoddy work" -- as it is known in Britain, where such a remedial procedure exists. The recommendation was passed by the society's convocation (governing council), but went nowhere beyond that.
2012
Heated debate last week at the law society's monthly convocation meeting revealed a deep schism within the legal profession over how to remedy a shortage of articling positions.

References