Graduation is a time of celebration for all that you have accomplished and we want to make it a special moment for you. We know how important this graduation ceremony is for you, your family, and your friends. While the pandemic still creates some challenges, we hope Commencement will help you mark this transition into the next phase of your life.
We are ecstatic to be able to offer an in-person commencement ceremony for Spring and Summer 2022 graduates. We do not a host a summer ceremony, so the spring ceremony is open to both spring and summer graduates. Please ensure that your travel plans are refundable in case something out of our control (e.g. COVID-19 or foul weather) forces a cancellation.
Watch the video to learn how to line up, where to sit, how to walk to the stage, etc.
Date: May 14, 2022 Time: 9 a.m. for all majors Location: Ray Dennison Memorial Stadium
Football stadium will open at 7:30 a.m. for guests. Please ensure you have a printed or electronic ticket prior to arrival. We cannot verify tickets at the gate.
Join us after the ceremony for a reception to connect with faculty and staff! Reception will be held in San Juan Dining located in the Student Union.
If you have questions about your graduation application, please check out the "Approved for Graduation?" section below.
Graduates should arrive at the Student Life Center by 7:30 a.m., dressed in cap and gown, to check in for commencement. Learn what to expect for your big day!
Ticket information has been emailed to each approved graduate already. Please check your FLC email for link and instructions on how to obtain tickets.
Initially, the college offered 8 tickets per graduate. On April 28, all of the unclaimed tickets (graduates who did not go in and claim tickets) were re-distributed to students to offer an additional 3 tickets, which means each graduate could have up to 11 tickets to obtain (if they obtained their tickets prior to April 28).
Children who sit on laps do not need a ticket.
Please plan and arrive early for the ceremony! We are expecting up to 4800 guests. Plan for parking, walking, and entering the venue. Handicap parking and parking drop off will take place off of Skyhawk Ave near the Art Lot (look for signs) and view the campus map. Golf carts will be available at this drop off to transport guests if needed.
Prior to this year's commencement ceremony we will be displaying images and/or congratulation notes from our graduates' friends and family on social media and the FLC homepage. Please share your shout outs.
Gradimages will be taking professional photos during the ceremony, which you may purchase. Families are also encouraged to take photos outside in the Clocktower area or at the reception following the ceremony.
The best place to get all of your Graduation needs met is at the Coundown to Graduation event. You'll be able to pick up your cap and gown, confirm your name for the graduation program and your mailing address for your diploma, and ask questions!
Countdown to Graduation Ballroom, Student Union Thursday, April 14, 2022 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Regalia is given out by each department. Reach out to your department chair with any questions.
Can’t make it to Countdown to Graduation to pick-up cap and gown? No worries, feel free to stop by the Skystore (located in the Student Union) to pick up cap and gown, honors, alumni mug and t-shirt. Materials will be in the Skystore until May 12th. After that, they will be available for pick-up at check-in on Saturday, May 14th in the Student Life Center at 8 a.m.
Don't know if you are approved for graduation? Please review that section in our Graduation Guide.
The Registrar’s Office will determine whether each student has fulfilled their degree requirements once final grades have been submitted and processed for the Spring 2022 semester. If you have completed your degree requirements, your final transcript and diploma will be mailed to you eight weeks AFTER the end of the semester (unless you have holds on your account).
If you have not completed all of your degree requirements, you will be notified by email.
Please check out the Please check out the Skystore webpage to find information on announcements and other graduation material.
This year we will not be able to offer child care services.
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.