Graduation is a time of celebration for all you've accomplished, marking your transition to the next phase of your life that you, your family, and your friends can honor.
We are ecstatic to offer an in-person commencement ceremony for Fall 2022 graduate!
While the pandemic still creates some challenges, we are here to help make it special for you. Please ensure your travel plans are refundable in case something out of our control (e.g., COVID-19 or foul weather) forces a cancellation.
Date: Friday, December 16, 2022 Time: 2 p.m. Ceremony location: Whalen Gymnasium, doors open at 1 p.m. for guests Student robing location: Student Life Center, graduates check in for commencement dressed in cap and gown Reception after ceremony: San Juan Dining Hall in the Student Union Building
Guests must bring their printed or electronic tickets for entry. We cannot verify tickets at the doors.
Ticket information is emailed to each approved graduate. Check your FLC email for ticket instructions.
How tickets work: With only one commencement ceremony and limited indoor seating, students receive a certain number of tickets to claim by a set date. After that date, all the unclaimed tickets will be re-distributed to students for an additional amount.
Please make other arrangements for child care or include children in your ticket needs. Children sitting on laps do not need a ticket.
Handicap parking and parking drop-off take place off Skyhawk Ave near the Art Lot and view the campus map. Golf carts will be available at this drop off to transport guests as needed.
Gradimages will take professional photos during the ceremony that you can purchase. We encourage families to take photos outside by the Clocktower or at the reception following the ceremony.
Before this year's ceremony we will display images and congratulatory notes from our graduates' friends and family on social media and on the FLC homepage. Share your shout outs!
Get all of your Graduation needs met at Countdown to Graduation. You can pick up your cap and gown, confirm your name for the graduation program and your mailing address for your diploma, and ask other graduation questions.
Countdown to Graduation Ballroom, Student Union Thursday, November 3, 2022 noon - 2 p.m.
Departments give out their own regalia. Reach out to your department chair with any questions.
The Registrar’s Office determines if a student has fulfilled their degree requirements once final grades have been submitted and processed for the Fall 2022 semester. If you have completed your degree requirements, we will mail your final transcript and diploma to you 8 weeks AFTER the end of the semester, unless you have holds on your account.
Review our Graduation Guide to confirm your graduation approval. You will be notified by email if you have not completed all of your degree requirements.
Can’t make it to Countdown to Graduation? Stop by the Skystore in the Student Union Building to pick up your cap and gown, honors, alumni mug, and t-shirt. Graduation materials will be in the Skystore until Thursday, December 15 at 3 p.m. You can grab them after that at check-in at 1 p.m. on Friday, December 16 in the Student Life Center.
Email: commencement@fortlewis.edu
You’ll hear these words thrown around, often interchangeably, but they each mean something unique when we look a little closer.
At FLC, you have not officially graduated until the Registrar confirms that you have completed all of your degree requirements and the College awards your degree. This process is generally complete 6-8 weeks after the semester ends.
Commencement is the ceremony where we celebrate students who are graduating. Graduating students invite their friends and families, wear their caps and gowns, walk across the stage, shake hands with the College president, and celebrate.
Participating in Commencement is sometimes called walking, which refers to the tradition of walking across the stage to be recognized for your achievement. Walking is strictly ceremonial and does NOT guarantee that a degree will be awarded. A student becomes a graduate once they have successfully completed the requirements of their degree program and their degree is conferred by the Registrar’s office.