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 2022 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.
Date: May 14th, 2022 Time: 9 a.m. for all majors Location: Ray Dennison Memorial Stadium
Join us after the ceremony for a reception to connect with faculty and staff! More details coming.
In the spirit of hosting a fun ceremony that still meets the safety measures established by public health officials, and knowing that COVID-19 may cause us to alter these plans, here's the idea:
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 8 a.m., dressed in cap and gown, to check in for commencement. Learn what to expect for your big day!
We know that limiting tickets to FIVE guests per graduate is challenging, but safety is still our primary goal. Paper tickets are reserved for each graduate, so getting there earlier or later doesn't change the availability of tickets. Lost tickets can not be replaced, so please keep them in a safe place.
Additional information on where to pick up your tickets and have your questions answered about Commencement will be coming.
Need additional tickets? Graduates who won't be using all of their tickets are welcome to share them with others. Ask your fellow classmates!
Children who sit on laps do not need a ticket.
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.
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.
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 7th, 2022 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Regalia is given out by each department. Reach out to your department chair with any questions.
You can check the status of your application for graduation on WebOPUS:
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.
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.