66th Annual Diablo Valley College Commencement Ceremony

Graduate class of 2018 instructions and rain plan

Date Friday, May 25, 2018
Time 5:00 pm
Location DVC Viking Stadium

Ceremony

The ceremony will commence promptly at 5:00 pm on Friday, May 25, 2018, in Viking Stadium. All 2017 summer and fall graduates, 2018 spring degree and certificate candidate recipients are encouraged to participate.

In the event of rain, the ceremony will be held in the gymnasium. Please see rain plan for details.

4:00 pm Viking Stadium gates open for family and friends to be seated.
4:00-4:15 pm

Graduates assemble on the pathway between Lake and Math building, dressed in cap and gown, ready to form the procession line.

Note: Spiked/high heels will not be allowed as they damage the stadium turf and track.

Note: Tassels are to be worn on the right side. Graduates will move tassels to the left side on cue from the Vice President of Instruction near the end of the ceremony.

No tickets required

There is ample seating in the stadium and no limit to the number of guests a graduate may invite. No guest tickets or parking permits/fees required. 

In the event of rain, the ceremony will be held in the gymnasium and graduates will be limited to two (2) guests. Tickets will be included in cap and gown packages. Please see rain plan for details. 

Cap & gown packages

Graduates may purchase a package including cap, gown, tassel and diploma/certificate holder from the DVC Book Center beginning Monday, May 7 through Friday, May 25 during regular hours of operation.

Cap and Gown package $39.99
Diploma Cover Only $8.99
Honor Medallion* $10.49

*Honor Graduates will receive a medallion included in cap and gown package for 3.5 GPA or better in all college course work (all institutions) as of February 1, 2018. If honor graduates do not participate in the ceremony, the medallion may be purchased at a later date.

Graduates are encouraged to purchase cap and gown package early for the best selection and availability of gown sizes.

No American Express or checks will be accepted, only cash or debit/credit cards accepted.

What to expect at the ceremony

4:00-4:15 pm Graduates will assemble on the pathway between the Lake and the Math building.
4:55 pm
  • There will be a double line entering the stadium led by Marshals Rachel Westlake, VP of Instruction and Beth McBrien, Academic Senate President followed by graduates and faculty.
  • Note: If you wish to sit with friends, we recommend lining up together. Once seated, you will not be permitted to save seats for anyone.
  • Note: All graduates are to remain standing until everyone is in the stadium and you are cued to be seated.
5:00 pm
  • The Vice President of Student Services will open the ceremony
  • Speeches will be given by the college President, Faculty Keynote and Student Keynote to address the graduating class of 2018.
  • Graduates will line up and proceed with their name card to the card reader and then to receive their diploma cover and professional photo (2 photos) and then return to their seat as swiftly as possible.
  • After all names have been read, the ceremony will conclude, followed by a recessional of the officials, faculty and graduates.
  • Graduates will exit the stadium led by officials and faculty to the reception at the Main Street Bistro.
  • Guests will exit the stadium from the top and follow signs to the reception at the Main Street Bistro.

Reception

Light refreshments and musical entertainment will be provided immediately following the ceremony in the Main Street Bistro. Graduates will be led from the field and guests will be led from the stadium entrance to the reception location. Ceremony and reception activities will conclude by approximately 8:00 pm.

Accessibility, special accommodations and stadium access

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

There will be designated seats available at the top of the stadium at the gate entrance for guests with mobility challenges. Please have your guests ask a greeter or campus Police Services to direct them to designated seating.

Parking

Due to the large number of guests in attendance, the stadium parking lots will be congested. Please encourage your guests to arrive one (1) hour prior to the start of the ceremony (4:00 pm). There is no charge/permit required for parking.

Flowers, gifts and refreshments

Gameday Souvenirs, Inc. will be on premises at the entrance gate if you wish to purchase light refreshments, leis or flowers before or immediately after the ceremony.

Photographer

Professional photography will be provided by GradImages during the ceremony. Each graduate will be photographed twice, as they shake hands with the college President or other designated official and as they pose with diploma cover before returning to their seat.

Proofs will be emailed with an option to purchase for those graduates providing a valid email address and submitting the requested information. You may also opt-out of this offer if you choose not to purchase photos. Graduates may pre-register at gradimages.com/preregistration before the ceremony to receive a discount on graduation photos.

GradImages will provide a Reader Card for each graduate to complete and bring with them to the ceremony. Please fill out the card completely and write legibly spelling your name phonetically for the reader if necessary. You must have this card to present to the reader for your name to be called during the ceremony.

Please visit www.gradimages.com for more information.

Important notices

  • 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. Also 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.
  • Cellular phones should be silenced to avoid disruption during the ceremony.
  • Alcoholic beverages and smoking will not be permitted on campus or in the stadium.

RSVP your attendance

All eligible graduate students, please RSVP your attendance at the ceremony.

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 925-969-2204.

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.

Other information

For more information or questions regarding Commencement, please visit the graduation page or contact our Student Life Office at 925-969-4267.