GRADUATION

More than 2,500 friends and family members attended the College's ceremony at an outdoor pavilion on campus, located on the north side of campus, outside the Athletic and Fitness Center (Y-Building).

Saturday, May 11, 2024, at 10 a.m.

Watch the ceremony live right here, or check it out on Lakeland's YouTube channel!

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Guests will find seating in the spacious sheltered outdoor pavilion where the ceremony is held. All seating is in folding chairs on asphalt ground. Entry into the guest seating area of the tent will open at 8:30 a.m. Guests are encouraged to arrive no later than 9:30 a.m. to ensure seating before the ceremony begins.

Seating is limited. All guests are required to present a ticket for admittance. There is no reserved seating. Guests requiring special accommodation seating should please notify any member of the commencement staff or request assistance from a campus police officer located outside the facility.

View a seating diagram here (not to scale)

Parking is free on campus. Free shuttle bus service will also be available to transport guests to the tent from the parking lots. Lakeland Campus Police will be on site directing traffic.

In case of severe weather, please view the severe weather plan here.

Flowers will be available to purchase inside the main entrance of the tent before the ceremony. All proceeds from flower sales will benefit student leadership programs.
 

By tradition, the commencement ceremony is a formal, dignified event to honor the academic achievement of scholars. To help preserve the decorum of the event, it is requested that guests exercise etiquette appropriate to this special occasion.

During the ceremony, it is proper etiquette for men to remove their caps during the singing of the national anthem and the Lakeland Alma Mater. Women should not remove their caps during these times.

As a courtesy to others, please turn off or "silence" cell phones during the ceremony.

The ceremony will end with a formal recessional of the stage party, faculty and then graduates. As a courtesy to all Lakeland graduates and other guests, please do not leave the facility until the ceremony is completed.

As a candidate for graduation, you are to report to the Dr. Wayne L. Rodehorst Performing Arts Center on the first floor of the D-Building no later than 8:30 a.m. on the day of commencement, dressed in your cap and gown. You will receive complete instructions regarding participation in the ceremony at this time; there is no dress rehearsal. You will line up by tassel color for the processional that starts promptly at 9:30 a.m. You are not permitted to carry anything in your hands during the procession. A secured room will be provided for you to store any personal belongings for the duration of the ceremony.

1. Processional
2. Welcome
3. "Words of Reflection" by graduate speaker
4. Singing of the national anthem
5. Opening remarks by the college president
6. Remarks by the college board of trustees chair
7. Presentation of Distinguished Service Award to a member of the community
8. Commencement address by keynote speaker
9. Recognition of distinguished and honored graduates
10. Conferring of academic degrees: Associate of Arts; Associate of Science; Associate of Applied Business; Associate of Applied Science; Associate of Technical Studies
11. Closing remarks
12. "Words of Thanks" by graduate speaker
13. Singing of the Lakeland Alma Mater
14. Recessional

During the portion of the ceremony when degrees are conferred, all candidates for graduation will be asked to stand. The college president will confer the associate degrees and graduates will be instructed to shift their tassels from right to left.

After degrees are conferred, candidates will be called row by row to enter the stage to be presented with their diploma covers. Candidates seated to the right of the center aisle will enter the stage from the right; those seated to the left of the center aisle will enter the stage from the left. As the candidate walks to the center of the stage to receive their diploma cover, a faculty reader will announce the candidate's name. After shaking hands with a college official, graduates will exit the stage from the center ramp and return to their seat (refer to seating diagram).

Guests will not be permitted to approach the stage, or stand in the aisles, to take photographs during the ceremony.

GradImages is the official photographer for the commencement ceremony and a photo of each graduate will be taken as they shake hands with a college official before exiting the stage after receiving their diploma cover. Graduates should register online with GradImages to receive complimentary proofs soon after commencement. Graduates will receive $5 off any order of $25 or more just for pre-registering. Visit gradimages.com and click on ‘Pre-Event Email Registration' any time before commencement day. After graduation, proofs may be viewed at gradimages.com. There is no obligation to purchase. Orders can be placed online or by phone at 1.800.261.2576. Should you have questions concerning your photo order, contact customer service at GradImages directly at 1.800.261.2576 or via email at giservice@gradimages.com.

A live stream recording of the ceremony will be available on this page and on Lakeland's YouTube channel.

For the hearing impaired, an American Sign Language interpreter will be present to sign the ceremony from the left-hand side of the stage.

Restrooms are located on the right and left sides of the stage at the far ends of the tent. A restroom for people with disabilities is available to the left of the stage at the far end of the tent.

A first aid station is located to the right of the stage at the far end of the tent (east end).

Graduates, welcome to Lakeland's Alumni & Friends Network! The Lakeland Alumni & Friends Network brings together Lakeland graduates, former Lakeland students and community friends.

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