Commencement

All students must Apply to Graduate through Self-Service Banner [SSB] at least one semester prior to graduating. An application can be completed for up to two degrees and/or certificates. Students applying for more than two degrees/certificates must go through the Records Office.

It is your responsibility to make sure that all grade change forms, course substitutions, transfer credits, and incompletes are recorded in the Records Office prior to graduation. Petitions are only valid for the semester applied. If the requirements are not met during that term, the student must reapply for the new expected graduation term.

Commencement provides recognition to those students who are expected to meet the College's requirements for graduation.

Students shall meet the following criteria in order to participate in commencement and be included in the commencement program:

• Complete and submit a graduation application.
• A student’s graduation application must have an approved audit with pending completion status
• The published commencement program will include the following terms:
  • Fall and Spring graduates of the current academic year
  • Summer graduates from the prior Summer term that were not included in the prior academic year’s program.
  • Summer graduation applicants from the upcoming Summer term that have met #2 by the first Monday following the Easter Holiday.

This information is available in lieu of Commencement rehearsal.

Commencement will occur on May 5, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.

General Instructions

Guest limitations are subject to change based on CDC guidelines; however, at this time there are no limits on the number of guests that may attend to support their graduate candidate. Tickets are not needed for guests.

Graduation honors for Commencement are based on Fall Semester grade point average (GPA). In order to check your current GPA status, please log onto your Student Portal. Grade point averages are not rounded up for honors. Your diploma will have honors recorded based on your final semester GPA.

All certificate earners are required to wear a blue gown. You need to purchase your gown in the College Store. The cost is $30 plus tax.

All degree graduates are required to wear a blue cap and gown with the appropriate tassel. You need to purchase your cap, gown & tassel in the College Store. The cost is $40 plus tax. If you have earned honors, the honor cord(s) will be given to you when you purchase your cap & gown. Military Veteran students should pick up their red, white, and blue cords as well.

Please note honors recognized for the ceremony are based on your cumulative GPA at the end of the prior Fall term.

Caps and Gowns will be available for pickup following spring break. College Store normal hours are Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., and closed on Fridays. Additional hours are Friday, April 28th 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. The College Store will be open from 1 - 9 p.m. on the Friday of Commencement for your convenience. Commemorative Commencement T-Shirts, bouquets, and teddy bears are available for purchase at this link: https://www.thecommencementgroup.com/terra/ and the day of commencement.

If you need a graduation gown and can't afford it the campus closet may be able to help. We have a limited number of graduation gowns to give to students who need them.

Don't want to keep your gown after graduation? There will be a rack in building B after graduation where you can donate your graduation gown to the campus closet.

The College has arranged for a photographer to take your photo as you accept your diploma cover at the Commencement Ceremony. There is no charge to you and you will receive a complimentary 5" x 7" color print when you receive your diploma. The ceremony will be available through a live streaming broadcast; check Terra State's social media pages on Commencement Day for the link.

We are offering these services in order that your family and friends may enjoy the ceremony. Please advise that only the graduates will be permitted to approach the stage and surrounding area. Please inform your guests that if they need to leave during the ceremony they may do so by the doors on either side of the stage. After the ceremony is completed, the graduates will exit first.

Candidates and guests requiring special handicapped accommodations due to a disability please contact the Record's Office at 419.559.2405 or recordsdept@terra.edu.

Pick up your cap and gown before Commencement Day and hang it up or press it to be wrinkle free.

Park in the appropriate parking lot designated in the Commencement letter mailed to you.

Do not bring any personal items with you to Commencement that you will have to carry with you. There are no areas available for storing these items. We recommend you lock personal items in your car or ask a family member to hold them for you.

Arrive early to avoid parking congestion and to arrive at your designated line-up area.

Do not misplace your calling card.

Listen to the announcement of staff when it is time to line up for your degree.

Terra State Community College awards and distributes diplomas/certificates three times per academic year. We have one commencement ceremony in May. It normally takes up to 4 weeks following Commencement for diplomas and certificates to be available. Participating in the commencement ceremony does not constitute graduation. You will receive your diploma or certificate cover at the commencement ceremony.

Fall diplomas and/or certificates will be ready for pickup January 17th through January 31st. All remaining diplomas and certificates that have NOT been picked up will be mailed to the permanent address on file after January 31st.. Students can update their address in Banner Self-Service up until the day diplomas are mailed. To receive your diploma/certificate you must have a zero balance on your account and all library materials returned.