Moraine Valley Community College

Commencement

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Moraine Valley Community College

2026 Commencement

Friday, May 8

Congratulations on earning a degree or certificate from Moraine Valley Community College! There’s no better way to celebrate this significant achievement than attending commencement. Crossing the stage is the perfect ending to the hard work, late nights and sacrifice you have put into gaining your credential. It’s time to bask in the joy and pride that comes with being a college graduate. Moraine Valley faculty and staff cannot wait to applaud you!

Announcements

Tickets & Guest Information

Each graduate can bring five guests to the ceremony.

Tickets will not be issued. Guests must arrive with their graduate.

Registration

Registration will open March 16.

Ceremony Logistics

Review arrival times, check-in procedures, lineup instructions, and what to expect on graduation day.

Regalia

Purchase graduation regalia in the Bookstore.

Photos

Register now with GradImages and save 20% on your photo order.

Grad Cap Contest

Show off your creativity and enter the graduation cap decorating contest for a chance to win Moraine Valley prize packs.

Ceremony Registration

Graduates who wish to participate in commencement (optional) must register to attend either the 2 or 6 p.m. ceremony. You can choose the ceremony you wish to attend; however, the college will suspend registration for a ceremony if it is full. Registration for graduation will open on March 16.

Ceremony Logistics

Important Note

Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the start of your ceremony to allow for enough time to check in and line up. Entrance to the gym will pause when the ceremony begins, and late graduates will wait in the lobby until the national anthem is over. Please do not be late! The ceremony will start on time.

Check-In

Doors will open one hour prior to your ceremony time. Please arrive early! When you arrive to Building H, check in by your last name in the lobby. You will be given a reader’s card at check-in that you will bring with you to the stage. Check that the information on your card is correct. If changes are needed, make them before leaving the check-in table.

Line Up

You then will proceed to the second floor and line up in your degree section for the processional. If you want to sit next to a friend in your degree section, line up behind one another, not next to each other. If you are late, you will be seated in a separate row from your degree section.

Ceremony

Each ceremony will last approximately one hour. Graduates will be called to the stage by degree to receive their diploma cover. After exiting the stage, you must return to your seat. You will not be allowed to leave the Cyclone Center until the ceremony is over.

After the Ceremony

At the end of the ceremony, you will recess out the southwest doors of Building H into the parking lot in front of the building. You cannot stop outside the Cyclone Center doors. Plan to meet your family outside the building.

Diplomas

You will receive a diploma cover when you walk across the stage. Diplomas will be mailed six to eight weeks after the spring semester to your address on record. To update your address, email records@morainevalley.edu.

Order Regalia And Cords

You will purchase a cap and gown through the Bookstore. You can purchase your items online to be delivered to you, or you can go into the Bookstore in Building D to be sized for regalia and make your purchase. Regalia will be on sale through commencement.

Orders Start March 23 Gown Sizing Chart

Cords and Stoles Details

Students earning an associate degree will receive a cap, gown, tassel and white stole for $60. The package for graduates earning a certificate costs $40 and includes a cap, gown and tassel.

If you are graduating with honors, you will wear a cord to designate you as an honor student. You can purchase honor cords in the Bookstore. Grade point averages for honor cords are calculated based on grades through the fall 2025 semester. Spring 2026 semester grades are not included in calculating grade point averages for honor cords.

Please note: As commencement is an academic ceremony, only Moraine Valley honor cords and Phi Theta Kappa stoles can be worn with the regalia. Cultural stoles or stoles indicating membership in a specific group will not be allowed.

  • Summa cum laude (gold cord): 3.9-4.0
  • Magna cum laude (silver cord): 3.75-3.89
  • Cum laude (white cord): 3.5-3.74

Members of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society can purchase a PTK honor stole and/or tassel to wear during the ceremony. You can wear the PTK stole with honor cords, but you cannot wear two tassels. You must choose one tassel to wear on your cap. You can purchase PTK items from the Moraine Valley Bookstore or the PTK website.

Gold Cords

Summa Cum Laude

Phi Theta Kappa Cords

Silver Cords

Magna Cum Laude

White Cords

Cum Laude

Silver & White Cords

Silver & White Cords

Green & White Cords

With Honors

Professional Photos

Register now with GradImages and save 20% on your photo order. A professional photographer will take several photos of you during the ceremony, including the moment you receive your diploma. To receive your proofs and take advantage of savings, visit the GradImages website and sign up before the ceremony.

Grad CAP CONTEST

Get creative with your graduation cap! Enter the Cap Decorating Contest to win one of two Moraine Valley-themed prize packs. One photo per entry is allowed. The submission deadline is Friday, May 1. Voting will take place the week of May 4 on the college’s Instagram story, so be sure you’re following our account. All caps entered in the contest will be included in the first round, and voting will continue until two caps remain. Runner-up and first place winners will be announced.

Submit Your Graduation Cap
Questions? Reach out to Jessica Crotty at crotty@morainevalley.edu.