72nd Annual DVC Commencement Ceremony

Congratulations Class of 2024! DVC is honored to celebrate our graduating students at an in-person commencement ceremony on Friday, May 17, 2024. 

The ceremony will commence at 5 pm promptly in Viking Stadium. All 2023 summer and fall graduates, 2024 spring degree and certificate candidate recipients are encouraged to participate.


Schedule Accessibility & parking Info for graduates Items for sale Graduation speaker application Graduation requirements RSVP


Event details

Location: DVC Viking Stadium
Date: Friday, May 17, 2024
Time: 5 pm

In the event of rain, the ceremony will be held in the gymnasium with seating limited to guest ticketing.

RSVP

Please help us plan for your attendance and the accommodation of your friends and family by completing this brief form to let us know if you will be attending the graduation commencement this year. We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to celebrating your accomplishments with you! Please RSVP your attendance by May 10. You MUST sign in with your Insite email address to complete the RSVP form


Schedule

DVC graduation student

4 pm: Viking Stadium gates will open for families, friends, guests to enter

4 - 4:30 pm: Graduates check-in and assemble in the gymnasium, dressed in cap and gown and ready to form the procession line. 

  • Graduates need to check-in at the registration table to complete a “Name Card”.
  • No high heels permitted on the field. Anyone with high heels will be given a pair of “flip flops” to wear during the ceremony.

4:30 pm - 4:55 pm: Graduates will form two lines from the gymnasium and begin procession/entering the stadium through the “V” (4:55 pm promptly). The procession lines will be led by Marshals, Joe Gorga, VP Equity and Instruction and John Freytag, President of Academic Senate. 

5pm: Commencement Ceremony begins 

  • Speeches will be given by the college President, Faculty Keynote and Graduate Keynote to address the graduating class.
  • Graduates will line up and proceed with their name card to the card reader and then to the dignitaries to receive diploma cover and professional photo. Two photos will be taken, one with dignitary and one head shot. Graduate will then return to their seat.
  • Once all names are read, the ceremony will conclude, followed by recessional.
  • Stage officials, followed by faculty and then graduates will exit the stadium and march directly to the reception at the Main Street Bistro.
  • Guests will exit the stadium from the top and follow signs to the reception.

Reception: Light refreshments and musical entertainment will be provided immediately following the ceremony at the Main Street Bistro. Ceremony and reception activities will conclude by 8:30 pm.  

Rain alternate plan

In the event of rain, the ceremony will be held in the gymnasium with seating limited to guest ticketing.

Printed programs

Programs will be distributed to graduates at the grad line prior to the processional. Guests will receive programs as they enter the stadium at the gate entrance.


Accessibility, special accommodations and stadium access 

Graduates should park in lots 8, 9 (except ADA) and then line up in the gym.

There will be designated ADA seats available at the top of the stadium by the gate entrance for guests with mobility limits, such as wheelchair users or people uncomfortable with stairs. Please have your guests ask a greeter or campus Police Services to direct them to designated seating.   

A portion of Parking Lot 1 will be designated for handicap parking/ADA access to stadium. There will also be a shuttle service from other parking lots to the stadium starting one hour before the ceremony begins and continuing through the ceremony. 

Sign language interpreters will be working throughout the ceremony. 

If you or your guests have questions about accommodations, please contact David Hagerty in Disability Support Services at 925-969-2176 or by email at dhagerty@dvc.edu  at least 10 days prior to the day of the ceremony.   


Parking 

Due to the large number of guests in attendance, the stadium parking lots will be congested. Please encourage your guests to arrive one hour prior to the start of the ceremony (4 pm). There is no charge/permit required for parking. Guest parking is available in parking lots #1, #2 and #3 off Viking Drive.  

A portion of Parking Lot 1 will be designated for handicap parking/ADA access to stadium.  

Graduates should park in Parking Lots 8, 9 and line up in the gym.


Important information for graduates 

  • NO spiked/high heel shoes will be permitted. Graduates will not be permitted to enter the stadium with heels as they damage the turf and the track. To prevent safety issues, it will be necessary to wear low/flat shoes.
  • Balloons will not be permitted in the stadium during the ceremony. Notices will be posted. Guests attempting to enter the stadium with balloons will be asked to return them to their vehicles.
  • Children will not be allowed in the processional line with graduates. Children must not be left unattended. If children will be attending, please arrange for them to be with guests during the ceremony.
  • For possible cold and windy temperatures, alert guests to bring jackets, sweaters or blankets with them into the stadium to minimize disruption during the ceremony. For warmer conditions consider hats, sunglasses and visors.
  • Cellular phones should be silenced to avoid disruption during the ceremony.
  • Alcoholic beverages and smoking are not permitted on campus or in the stadium.  
  • Dogs are not permitted on campus, except for service animals.

Degrees and certificates

Diplomas are mailed mid-August to the student’s physical address on file at Admissions and Records. If your address has changed, please contact our Admissions and Records office as soon as possible at 925-685-1310.

Questions 

For more information or questions regarding Commencement contact the Vice President of Equity and Student Services office at dvcvpstudentservices@dvc.edu


Commencement items for sale 

Cap and gown packages 

More details coming soon.

Photographs

More details coming soon.

Flowers, gifts and refreshments

More details coming soon.


Social media from our 2023 graduation:

DVC honored and celebrated our graduating students at an in-person commencement ceremony May 19, 2023. View photographs from the event!

View the 2023 Graduation Ceremony Social Media Stream Here!