DVC will be honoring and celebrating our graduating students at an in-person commencement ceremony May 20, 2022.
All 2021 summer and fall graduates, 2022 spring degree and certificate candidate recipients are encouraged to participate!
Watch the 2022 Graduation Ceremony Livestream and Social Media Stream Here!
Schedule Accessibility & parking Info for graduates Items for sale Graduation speaker application Graduation requirements
Location: DVC Viking Stadium
Date: Friday, May 20, 2022
Time: 5 pm
In compliance with the 4CD mask mandate, masks are required indoors. The district and college, in alignment with local and state regulations, will not require masks to be worn outdoors even though it is highly recommended.
4 pm: Viking Stadium gates will open for families, friends, guests to enter
4 - 4:30 pm: Graduates – please meet at the graduation check-in table between the Music and Math Buildings, next to the Lake and closest to Parking Lot 1 (see yellow star on the map at D-4). It is a bit of a walk so wear comfortable shoes.
4:30 pm - 4:55 pm: Graduates will form two lines from starting at the Music Building (near the Lake) and begin procession/entering the stadium through the “V” (4:55 pm promptly). The procession lines will be led by Marshals, Kim Schenk, Acting VP of Instruction and John Freytag, President of Academic Senate.
5pm: Commencement Ceremony begins
Reception: Light refreshments and musical entertainment will be provided immediately following the ceremony at the Main Street Bistro. Due to COVID-19 protocols, eating and gathering will be restricted to the outside quad area of the Bistro. Ceremony and reception activities will conclude by 8:30 pm.
In the event of rain, the ceremony will be held in the gymnasium with seating limited to guest ticketing. District and CDC COVID-19 protocols will be followed.
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.
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 days 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 Lot 1 will be designated for handicap parking/ADA access to stadium.
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.
Parking Lot 1 will be designated for handicap parking/ADA access to stadium.
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.
For more information or questions regarding Commencement contact the Vice President of Equity and Student Services office at dvcvpstudentservices@dvc.edu.
Graduates may purchase a package including cap, gown, tassel, and diploma cover (diploma cover presented during ceremony) from the DVC Book Center. Graduates are encouraged to purchase packages early for best selection of gown sizes.
Cap and gown package sales
Package pricing: $55.00 + tax (only cash or debit/credit cards accepted)
Note: single items will not be sold or available for sale until after May 23, 2022, depending on supply
* 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 March 1, 2022. If honor graduates do not participate in the ceremony, the medallion may be purchased at a later date.
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.
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 GradImages for more information.
Fresh flowers and leis will be available for purchase outside the Viking Stadium during the ceremony through Congratulei. Pre-orders are available now!