Tickets are required for all attending the ceremony in the Pavilion. 

Due to Pavilion capacity limits, only graduates who RSVP by the deadline will receive tickets.

Graduates who meet the RSVP'd deadline, June 4, 2026, will receive an email with pick-up information and instructions. These graduates will receive 3 tickets. 

There are no extra tickets. 

Pick up dates are June 10 & 11, 2026, times 9am -1pm, 2pm -4pm.

It is a good idea to maintain a current email address at all times to assure you receive important information from WCC. For help updating your contact information, you can email registration@whatcom.edu or records@whatcom.edu.

Alternative viewing areas: for guests without tickets.

• Heiner Theater
• Syre Auditorium (family friendly venue)  

Important Notice: 

•  In-person attendance, in the Pavilion, is limited to ticket holders (babies and small children also require tickets to view inside the Pavilion. No lap children)
• No pets, strollers, oversized bags, balloons, airhorns or signs will be admitted inside the Pavilion.

Cap and Gown is required for participation in the commencement ceremony. 

• BAS graduates wear a black gown, black cap with tassel, and a bachelor length discipline hood.
• All other graduates wear a burgundy gown and burgundy cap with tassel.

Please order your cap and gown from Jostens.

Honor cords are given to all degree graduates who have earned a cumulative college-level GPA of 3.5 or higher in at least 45 WCC credits or have a combined GPA of 3.5 or higher with transfer credit and are participating in the commencement ceremony.

Honors GPA for spring and summer graduates is based on completed course work and will be calculated after winter term grades are posted.

Graduates who have earned honor cords, and RSVP by the deadline, will receive an email with honor cord pick up information and instructions.  

Honor cord pick-up dates: June 10 & 11, times 9am -1pm, 2pm -4pm

 

Graduates with mobility issues and other ADA needs should contact the ADS office at ADS@whatcom.edu or (360) 383-3139. Please contact us early so we have time to meet your needs. 

All will be assisted, but for best assistance contact the ADS office by June 4, 2026. 

WCC has graduation announcements!

You can order your personalized Commencement Ceremony announcements at the Campus Bookstore. Allow 7-10 business days for processing.  

The Campus Bookstore has other WCC Commencement items as well as WCC Alumni Gear.

Stop by and check it out!

For a graduate's name to be listed in the commencement program and other commencement publications, they need to submit their RSVP and graduation application by June 4, 2026.

The graduate's primary (legal) name will be used in the commencement program and other commencement publications, unless a preferred name is on their record. When a student has a preferred name, it will be used instead of the primary name. To not have your preferred name used in the program and other publication, add the degree name field to your ctcLink record. For help with this name addition contact the records department at records@whatcom.edu 

Students with a FERPA block in the "Privacy Restrictions" tab on their "Student Profile" will not have their name listed in the program or other commencement publications. This applies to students that have requested at any time in the past for records to be hidden, for WCC not to release information, or have a "Notice of Non-Disclosure Form" on file. 

For more information contact the Graduation Department at graduation@whatcom.edu .

There is a cake reception immediately following the ceremony in front of Syre Student Center (SSC). 

Student life will have a box for donating gowns for next year's graduates. Feel free to donate clean regalia in the box after the ceremony.  

Summer 2025 to summer 2026 graduates and graduation applicants. If you are outside this time frame check with graduation department for an exception.   

You can order your personalized Commencement Ceremony announcements at the Campus Bookstore. Allow 7-10 business days for processing.  

The Campus Bookstore has other WCC Commencement items as well as WCC Alumni Gear.

Stop by and check it out!

Tickets are required for all guests attending the ceremony in the Pavilion.

Due to Pavilion capacity limits, tickets will be required for all guest entering the facilities.

Graduates who applied for graduation and RSVP for the ceremony by June 4, 2026, will receive an email with instructions for picking up guest tickets. These graduates will receive 3 tickets for guest in the pavilion. 

There are no extra tickets

Pick up dates are June 10 & 11, times 9am -1pm, 2pm -4pm. 

Alternative viewing areas: for guests without tickets.

• Heiner Theater
• Syre Auditorium (family friendly venue)  

Important Notice: 

•  In-person attendance, in the Pavilion, is limited to ticket holders (babies and small children also require tickets to view inside the Pavilion. No lap children)
• No pets, strollers, oversized bags, balloons, airhorns or signs will be admitted inside the Pavilion.

 

Graduates check-in between 5p.m. – 6p.m.
Check-in is located in the Syre Center foyer. 
Graduates start lining up at 6:10 p.m.

 Yes, feel free to decorate your cap to your liking. Have fun!

Graduates check-in between 5p.m. – 6p.m.
Check-in is located in the Syre Center foyer. 
Graduates line up starting at 6:10 p.m.

GradImages is the professional photographers of WCC Commencement graduates. Photos will be taken during the Commencement Ceremony. WCC photographers will also be on sight for fun interactive photos while you are checking-in or lining up. As well as other photo options and booths in the check-in area.

GradImages will send communication to your email listed on the graduation information card used during the ceremony. You can opt out of this communication see information on the card or ask at time of check -in.  Photo proofs will be sent out about 5-7 days after the ceremony by GradImages. 

There are two lines for entering the ceremony. The left line sits on the left side of the pavilion, and the right line sits on the right side of the pavilion. If you want to sit with a friend or fellow student, you should line-up together in the same line. 

If you do not want to keep your gown, you can donate it to future graduates in need. Simply place your gown in the donation box, located in the reception area, after the ceremony. 

Graduation Department 
graduation@whatcom.edu