REHEARSAL: Thursday, December 15 at 3 p.m.
A required rehearsal for the commencement ceremony will be held in the Blue Ridge Conference Hall in the Technology Education and Development Center (TEDC). You do not need your robes at the rehearsal.
GRADUATION DAY: On Friday, December 16, Graduates must be in Technology Education and Development Center Room 213 no later than 5:15 p.m. to line up for the ceremony. Name cards will be passed out at this time. Please secure personal belongings before the ceremony. There will be no place to leave personal belongings (i.e., purses and jackets) on campus during graduation. Ticketed guests can continue on to the Conference Hall and find a seat. They will not be allowed to accompany graduates during the lineup.
COMMENCEMENT: Friday, December 16 at 6 p.m.
Doors will open for ticketed guests at 4:30 p.m.
GUEST SEATING: Six guest tickets will be provided for each graduate.
Tickets may be picked up by graduates only on December 7, from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. in the Killian Building Room 143. The last opportunity to pick up tickets will be at rehearsal on December 15, at 3 p.m. Tickets will expire at 5:45 p.m. on December 16.
A limited number of extra tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Conference Hall door.
Overflow seating will be available in the Thomas Auditorium in the Sink Building."
RECEPTION: A reception will be held in the Student Center in the Killian Building immediately following the Commencement ceremony.
CAPS AND GOWNS: Beginning November 15, students may purchase caps, gowns, and invitations from the College Bookstore located in the Killian building. Distance Learning students may order caps, gowns, and invitations by contacting the Bookstore at (828) 694-1720.
You will have an opportunity immediately following the ceremony to donate your cap and gown to a future Blue Ridge Community College graduate with financial need.
APPROPRIATE DRESS FOR THE CEREMONY: Commencement is a formal ceremony; therefore, we request that you dress neatly and appropriately. Graduates without shoes or those wearing sneakers and/or jeans will not be allowed in the processional. Bring bobby pins for your cap.
HONOR CORDS/STOLES: Honor society members (Phi Theta Kappa and National Technical Honor Society) are welcome to wear the honor society regalia of their choice but may wear only one tassel during graduation. Please make your purchases using the honor society Web site(s): www.ptk.org or www.nths.org. Please place order in time to allow for arrival well before December 16..
COLLEGE FEES: Graduates must pay all fines and fees, return all library books, and meet any other College obligations prior to graduation. If in doubt, please check with the following to see if there are any outstanding obligations that need your attention.
- Registrar’s Office (828) 694-1811
- Library (828) 694-1879
- Cashier (828) 694-1721
PROCEDURE FOR AWARDING OF DEGREES: Approaching the stage, you will give your name card to the marshal standing at the bottom of the stairs. When your name is called, you will walk across the stage to the College President, extend your hand to shake hands, and receive the diploma cover in your left hand. You will then shake hands with the Vice President for Instruction and with a College trustee.
DEGREE INFORMATION: Degrees will be mailed the week following the commencement ceremony to the address provided on your Application for Graduation.
SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS: Family and guests who require assistance due to mobility challenges are asked to turn left off the East Campus Drive entrance into the turn-about area near the Blue Ridge Conference Hall. Please display your state-issued handicapped placard before you arrive on campus. Family and guests can unload for level access to the building without having to navigate steps or elevators. This entrance will be used as a drop-off and pick-up point only.
Reserved accessible parking is located near the front entrance of the Technology Education and Development Center. After turning off College Drive, onto East Campus Drive, take a left on Alumni Way, you will then be directed to the accessible parking area.
Wheelchairs will be available for persons needing assistance to the building. We do advise however that these wheelchairs are used to assist persons to and from the building, persons needing a wheelchair for the entire commencement event will need to bring a personal wheelchair.
If you are person who requires interpreting services due to a hearing impairment, please be advised that our commencement ceremony will be interpreted.
Any other disability related request should be directed to Maggie Faulkner at (828) 694-1813 at least two weeks in advance of the scheduled ceremony.
