Grad Students

Commencement Ceremony

76th Commencement Ceremony

Save the Date

June 6, 2024 at 9:00 am

Shepard Stadium

Grad Fest 2024 - 2

Guest Information - Coming Soon 

 

General tips/safety information.

  • Alcohol is not to be brought and/or consumed on campus.
  • Balloons, noisemakers, beach balls, laser pointers, umbrellas, fireworks, etc. are not allowed.
  • Graduation caps may be decorated. Pierce College reserves the right to remove any caps that are deemed inappropriate.
  • It is recommended that graduates not wear heels and guests wear comfortable shoes since the day may include a lot of walking to get from car to stadium.    
  • Children must be supervised at all times and are not permitted on the stage with their graduate.
  • Leave valuable belongings (purse, etc.) at home. Pierce College is not responsible for your belongings when you walk across the stage to graduate.
  • Smoking is not permitted on campus.
  • Avoid unnecessary conversation and movement during the ceremony. Individuals who engage in inappropriate or disruptive behavior may be removed from the event.
  • Students may not take selfies or use selfie sticks while crossing the stage. Due to fire code regulations, all main access aisles must remain clear of objects - backpacks, strollers, mobility assistive devices, etc.
  • As a courtesy to your fellow graduates, students are asked to return to their seats after they receive their in-lieu diploma. Commencement does not officially end until the proclamation of degrees has been made.  

Commencement FAQ

The 76th Commencement ceremony will be held at Shepard Stadium at Pierce College on Thursday, June 6th at 9:00 am.

The campus will open at 7:00 am. Graduates should arrive by 7:30 am at the Field House located next to Shepard stadium. Arrive early, Pierce College is a large campus and some of the parking lots are at least a 15-minute walk from the stadium. 

Tickets are required to enter the stadium. Due to limited stadium seating, each graduate can request up to 6 guest tickets. The link to request tickets was emailed to all graduates. Please complete the “Additional Ticket” request form if you would like additional tickets. Students will be contacted via their LACCD email should additional tickets become available. The last day to pick up your tickets will be on Friday, May 31st at Grad Fest.

You can pick up your tickets at the bookstore starting Monday, May 6th. 
You must have a picture ID to pick up your tickets

In order for commencement to start on time, the saving of seats will be permitted only up to 30 minutes prior to commencement, at which time all seats will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Yes, you must RSVP by Friday, May 24th. Please check your LACCD email for the RSVP link.

In order to participate in graduation, you must have a submitted a graduation petition for Summer 2023, Fall 2023, Winter 2024 or Spring 2024 by April 15. If you didn’t receive an email (make sure you check your spam folder), contact the Welcome Center located in the Student Services building. 

Summer 23, Fall 2023 graduates, and Winter 2024 and Spring 2024 candidates. 

We will have 2 virtual rehearsals and Grad Fest.
 

GRAD FEST – Student can enjoy free food, live music, purchase cap & gown, cap decoration and rehearsal/ticket pick-up

Day: Friday, May 31st 

Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Location: Shepard Stadium

Online rehearsal:

Day: Monday, May 20th                                    Day: Tuesday, June 4th 

Time: 10:00 am                                                  Time: 1:00 pm

While preparing for the procession to begin, position the tassel on your mortarboard (hat) on the right side. Towards the end of the ceremony, you will be instructed to switch the tassel from the right to the left side of your hat. When marching in the recessional, the tassel will be on the left side to signify that you are a graduate.

Name cards will be given to students eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony on the day of the ceremony. You will need to clearly print your name on it, and you will keep the card with you until you walk onto the stage.  You will give the name card to the announcer at the podium. They will keep the card and give it to the photographer at the end of the ceremony. The readers have been instructed not to read additional comments written on the cards.  The photographer will take a picture of you as you receive your in-lieu diploma.

Parking is free. Shuttles are scheduled to pick up guests at various parking lots before and after commencement.

No, the ceremony will be added to the Pierce College YouTube channel. Links will be available after the ceremony.

Degree candidate seating will be divided by last name. Last names beginning with the letters A – L will sit on the home side of the stadium. Last names beginning with the letters M – Z will sit on the visitor side. Nursing students will sit together. As you arrive at the Field House, commencement staff will direct you.

Students with physical disabilities who are unable to walk to the stage will be seated prior to the beginning of the ceremony. The diplomas will be issued on the stage and require going up and down stairs or a ramp. Any student with a disability who needs accommodations or assistance must inform Genice Sarcedo-Magruder in the Academic Accommodations Center at (818) 710-3318 or aac@piercecollege.edu. Special arrangements will be made for those students to participate in the ceremony. 

Parking - Coming Soon


Please note the ceremony will be held at Shepard Stadium, located at the top of the hill in the center of campus.

Students