Commencement Ceremony Procedural Information

• To facilitate robing and the lineup of candidates for the processional, all graduation candidates are expected to report to the West Campus "R" Building 30 minutes to 1 hour before ceremony start time. 
  • PHSC Provosts will begin lining up graduates in the "R" building across from the Physical Fitness Center (Gymnasium) before the ceremony. Please be ready to be sorted into your appropriate place in line.  
• Name cards: When you arrive and check in at "R" Building, you will be given a name card to fill out. 
  • Hold onto the name card
  • You will give your name card to the academic dean who will announce your name as you walk across the stage to receive your diploma. 
• Tassels: Place your tassel on the right side of your mortarboard (cap).
  • Men: Please remove your mortarboard (cap) when the men on stage remove theirs.
• Processional: You will be led by the PHSC commencement marshals (senior faculty with marshal batons) to your designated seat in the Physical Fitness Center. Please follow the marshal's directions. 
• Standing during the processional: Once you have reached your seat, please remain standing in front of your seat, turn and face the aisle you entered as a gesture of respect to the District Board of Trustee Members, President, faculty, staff and administrators as they enter. 
• During the ceremony, the speaker will say, "Will the candidates please rise..." He will then ask the faculty marshals to escort the graduates to the platform. You may then be seated until your row is called. 
• Move tassels: After the President has conferred the certificate, diploma or degree on all students, he will say, "You may now turn your tassel." Please be seated after turning your tassel. 
• When students are called to receive their certificate, diploma or degree, the marshals will inform each row to stand at one time. Please follow the direction of the marshals for proceeding on stage. 
• Returning to your seat: Please be seated when you return to your row. The next row will then be instructed to stand and will proceed to the stage, following the direction of the marshals. 
• You will recieve your diploma/certificate approximately six weeks after graduation. Be certain the College has your correct mailing address. If not, please update this important information in your Bobcat Portal.

To accommodate guests unable to attend, the commencement ceremony will also be broadcast live by streaming video on our graduation page.