Graduation and Commencement

Deadline for Spring 2025 graduation applications is February 24

Once you have completed all requirements for your degree or certificate, you may apply for graduation. You can check that you have completed all requirements by reviewing your Degree Works audit in Student Profile or by making an appointment with your advisor.

You may receive your diploma at the end of the fall, spring, or summer semester during which you completed your program requirements.

You must apply for graduation; degrees and certificates are not automatically awarded. Participation in the Commencement Ceremony does not guarantee that all graduation requirements have been met. Visit here for information concerning graduation eligibility, and policies & procedures.

TBA

Benton Harbor Campus

Required regalia can be purchased online. The deadline to purchase your cap and gown is April 5.

Pricing

Oak Hall Cap and Gown set: $45, plus $15.95 shipping fee.

Tassels are purchased by LMC and will be handed out at Grad Fair.

PTK attire is optional for Commencement. If you are a PTK member and would like to wear PTK attire, you can order items for Commencement here. You are more than welcome to purchase any PTK attire below; however, in general, most graduates only purchase the stole. 
Phi Theta Kappa Honors Stole: $26
Phi Theta Kappa Honors Tassel: $10
Phi Theta Kappa Honors Cords: $15

Commencement will be held at the Mendel Center Jenkins Theatre. The graduating class will be split into two groups: the Arts & Sciences and General Studies ceremony at 10 a.m. and the Career & Workforce and Health Sciences ceremony at 1 p.m.

Arts & Sciences/General Studies includes:
Associate in Arts (except Graphic Design)
Associate in Science (except Health Science)
Associate in General Studies
Associate in Applied Science - Music & Teacher Education
General Education Advanced Certificate
Certificate of Achievement Registered Behavior Technician

Career & Workforce/Health Sciences includes:
Associate in Applied Science (all majors except Music and Teacher Education)
Associate in Arts Graphic Design
Associate in Business Administration
Associate in Science Health Science
All certificate programs except General Education and Registered Behavior Technician

Arrival, Assembly, and Lineup

Graduates should arrive 45 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony to be properly gowned and prepared to walk. Arts & Science group arrives at 9:15 a.m. and Career & Workforce/Health Science group arrives at 12:15 p.m.

Check-in and lineup in Mendel Center room F-102/103, Grand Upton Hall.

Degree/Certificate Presentation

Each graduate is called to the stage only once, even if more than one degree or certificate is conferred. You will receive only a diploma folder on stage at commencement. Your diploma will be mailed to you approximately 30 days after final grades are posted.

Photographs

A photographer from Grad Images will be present at the graduation ceremony to take photos when you walk across the stage to receive your diploma. The company will send you information about ordering photos shortly after the ceremony, or you can visit the Grad Images website to search for your pictures. For more information call (800) 261-2576.

Graduate Honors Recognition

Eligible graduates receiving honors, high honors, and highest honors will receive their honors cords at Grad Fair and will have their Honors designation listed in the program as well as announced on stage.

Graduation with Honors Designations

Students graduating with a cumulative 3.25 – 4.0 GPA will receive one of the following notations on their associate degree transcript and diploma:

Honors: 3.25-3.5
High Honors: 3.51-3.75
Highest Honors: 3.76-4.00

Seating

Tickets are not required for Commencement Ceremony guests.  Seating is open and available on a first-come, first-served basis.  Seating begins at 9:15 a.m. for the morning ceremony and at 12:15 p.m. for the afternoon ceremony.

Invitations and Announcements

Commencement participants will receive invitations at Grad Fair; there is no cost for invitations. Announcements may also be purchased at Grad Fair.

Special Accommodations

If you or any of your guests require special accommodations such as a stage ramp or a hearing amplification system, please call (269) 927-8107 or email cbeukelman@lakemichigancollege.edu, so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Order Announcements, Diploma Frames and Class Rings

Order online from Herff Jones or order at the Grad Fair.

Alumni T-Shirt and Grad Flower Ordering Information 

You can order a commemorative t-shirt with the names of all graduates or flowers for your loved one who is graduating. The t-shirts and flowers will be available to pick up after the commencement ceremony in the Mainstage Lobby.

Please advise your family and friends to arrive early. Doors open at 9:15 a.m. for the morning group and 12:15 p.m. for the afternoon group. Once the ceremony begins, visitors may not enter the auditorium. Late arrivals will be admitted only to the balcony or designated overflow rooms. 

Parking at the Mendel Center is free. Maps and directions to The Mendel Center can be found on their website. Family seating/accommodations will be made available for families with young children who prefer a little more privacy or do not wish to sit in the Mainstage and would still like to view the ceremony on a large screen.

Graduation refers to receiving a degree, diploma, or certificate once you have been certified by the College as having met all requirements. After you submit an application for graduation, confirmation is made that all graduation requirements have been met and that the degree or certificate is noted in the College’s student information system so that it displays on your LMC transcript. Diplomas are printed and mailed after the degree confirmation process is complete, approximately 30 days after the end of the semester.

The Commencement Ceremony is an event. It is an opportunity for students, families, friends, and the LMC community to celebrate your academic accomplishments. Participation in the ceremony does not mean that you have graduated. You will not receive your degree or diploma on that day. LMC holds one ceremony each year.

Congratulations, you are now a member of the LMC alumni family! Visit lakemichigancollege.edu/alumni to learn more about the Alumni Association and how you can participate. There is no membership fee. 

Find a great job! Register at Handshake, LMC's student and alumni job board, where over 200 employers post jobs seeking talented LMC graduates to hire.

Lake Michigan College would love to hear from you! Submit a photo, video, or story about your LMC journey for a chance to be featured in Lake Michigan College’s social media or other publications.
E-mail the Marketing department at marketing@lakemichigancollege.edu for more information.