What to expect on your big day
We look forward to celebrating your accomplishments at SPC’s Fall 2024 Commencement. To ensure the best possible experience, we want to make sure you know what to expect on your special day.
All graduates from Summer 2024 and Fall 2024 term candidates for graduation will be invited to participate in our formal commencement ceremony in Fall 2024. Emails will be sent out to all students in Oct. 2024 with information to register for the ceremony.
Commencement information:
Place: TBA
Date: Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024 (this date is subject to change due to impacts from Hurricane Milton)
What to expect: Commencement is a formal ceremony to recognize your achievements. The ceremony is scheduled to last approximately 2 hours depending on the number of graduates. After the last graduate has crossed the stage and President Williams closes the ceremony, all graduates will recess out of the venue. You must register for you to attend the commencement ceremony by Dec. 8, 2024. The deadline for your name to be in the commencement program is Nov. 17, 2024.
Pre-ceremony Instructions
Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the event and remember to bring your Name Card.
- Arrive Early. Allocate time for travel, parking, and special accommodations (if requested). College staff will direct you to the appropriate area where you will be able to pick up honor cords and Veteran cords. These cords are distributed 30-45 minutes ahead of the event.
- Dress in Your Regalia. You should be dressed in your cap, gown, and tassel. The campus bookstore will be onsite if you need to purchase regalia prior to the ceremony.
- Bring your Name Card. You should have received a card in the mail with your name on it. This card is your “fast pass” to avoid checking in. Upon arrival you may proceed directly to the field. If you do not bring your name card look for the designated table as you enter the venue.
- Honor cord. Honor distinctions are given to the students in a Bachelor’s or Associate degree program with a qualifying cumulative Your GPA can be found on your unofficial transcript in MySPC. Certificates are not eligible for honors. Check the SPC website to determine if you qualify.
- Photos. Formal photos may be purchased through Information on purchasing photos will be sent to graduates after the event.
If you requested accommodations, meet your Accessibility Services coordinator at the designated location. When attending Commencement in Spring, plan to arrive one hour before the ceremony begins. This will allow you to conduct a walk through with Accessibility Services staff, to secure your seat and have a professional graduation photo taken in advance.
Decorum
Both Commencement are ceremonies that recognize your achievements and you are encouraged to bring as many guests as you like to celebrate.
Because the Commencement ceremony is a formal event, decorum is very important for graduates, candidates, and guests. Please use good judgement and celebrate your accomplishment in a way not to disrupt others.
As a courtesy to fellow classmates and their guests do not exit the venue until the entire ceremony has concluded.
Programs
In an effort to reduce waste and support eco-friendly practices, the formal Commencement program will only be available in a digital format. At the ceremony, graduates and guests will receive an event agenda with a QR code to access the program.
A limited number of printed programs will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis at our campus bookstores.
Programs are available for download and viewing.
Official graduation photos
A professional photographer from Grad Images will be on stage to take your picture as you greet the president. To see proofs and order copies of professional photos taken, log in with your last name and the year of the ceremony at the Grad Images website or email ecc.giservice@gradimages.net.
Photos taken by Grad Images are not posted on SPC social media. If you have questions about photos taken by Grad Images, please visit gradimages.com/Home/EmailUs.
Candid graduation photos
A selection of candid graduation photos taken by SPC’s Marketing & Strategic Communications staff are shared on the college’s Facebook page. Graduates can freely save and download any candid photos from this posted album.