Graduation and Commencement

The Porterville College faculty, staff, and administrators are excited to honor the Graduating Class of 2023 at the commencement ceremony to be held on Friday, May 12, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. at the Porterville College Jamison Stadium. Listed below are important details you need to understand in order to participate.

GRADUATION PROGRAM - April 21st will be the last day to request any name changes in the program that will be distributed during the ceremony.

COMMENCEMENT PACKAGES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS AVAILABLE BEGINNING APRIL 3RD - Barnes and Noble Bookstore will offer a commencement package for sale. The cap, gown, and tassel will cost $57.98 plus tax. Individual items are also available for sale: Cap $12.98, tassel $7.98, or bling tassel $13.98. Diploma covers are originally $18.98 but are 50% off now through the end of April! A sample cap and gown are available to try on in the bookstore. You may also purchase your cap and gown at Barnes and Noble on campus during the Grad Fair on April 19th and 20th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Contact the bookstore for information on purchasing announcements. Porterville College caps and gowns are mandatory to participate in commencement.

GRAD FAIR, APRIL 19 & 20 - The PC Grad Fair will be held from 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM on April 19 & 20. The Grad Fair will include opportunities for you to purchase regalia and other items, take graduation photos and participate in other activities including graduation cap decorating (as supplies last). Grads, please refer to your student email for a link from Ultimate Exposure to sign up for your Grad Pictures.
 

ASPC GRADUATE BRUNCH - A brunch, sponsored by ASPC, will be held in your honor Friday, May 12th from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. in the Student Center/Cafeteria. Brunch is free for graduating students only. Please see Brunch Flyer attached to RSVP. Commencement Practice will be held right after the ASPC Graduate Brunch.

COMMENCEMENT PRACTICE - Practice will be held at the Stadium Friday morning, May 12th at 10 a.m. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. If you are unable to attend practice, call Enrollment Services at the number listed below to receive important information.

COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY - Please arrive promptly at the Gym between 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. to check in at the registration table. During check-in, you will receive a Grad Card with a QR code and Graduation Picture instructions. The first round of pictures will be taken in the gym starting at 5:30 p.m.  Pictures will also be taken during the Graduation Ceremony. During the commencement ceremony, the Grad Card will be handed to the individual announcing the names of graduates. Please be sure to wear appropriate shoes for the stadium, i.e., no spiked heels.

Dinner will be served to the graduates in the Gym from 5:30 – 6:30 pm the day of the ceremony.

In consideration of other graduates and attending guests, please inform family and friends to leave balloons in their vehicles until after the ceremony. Balloons in the stadium block the view of guests sitting behind them. Also, we ask that no noise-making devices (i.e., air horns, whistles, etc.) be used during the ceremony as this disrupts the commencement ceremony. Thank you in advance for cooperating.

PHI THETA KAPPA (PTK) STUDENTS - PTK students may purchase their regalia directly from the website here. Students will need their PTK membership number to access and purchase graduation regalia.

VETERAN STUDENTS - If you are a military Veteran, you will be given a stole and rope to wear with your academic regalia. YOU MUST purchase your own graduation regalia: cap, gown, and tassel. Please see Katherine Figueroa or Cody Ridenour in the Veterans Resource Center (AC 116) for distribution.

HONOR GRADUATES - Students who have completed at least 60 units in degree-applicable letter-graded courses with at least 12 of those units at Porterville College and who have earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher. Students will be identified in the Commencement Program as Honors Graduates. Students receiving the Honors Graduate recognition will receive a separate email from the Admissions and Records Office with instructions to obtain the honorary tassel.

DIPLOMAS - Your diploma will not be issued to you until all grades are final. A notice will be sent to your college-assigned email account notifying you when to pick up your diploma at the Admissions and Records Office.

In consideration of other graduates and attending guests, please inform family and friends to leave balloons in their vehicles until after the ceremony. Balloons in the stadium block the view of guests sitting behind them. Also, we ask that no noise-making devices (i.e., air horns, whistles, etc.) be used during the ceremony as this disrupts the commencement ceremony. Thank you in advance for cooperating.

Please contact Janice Halopoff concerning your degree, major, or honor recognition at (559) 791-2269 and Jonathan Miranda concerning ceremony participation at jonathan.miranda@portervillecollege.edu located in the Admissions and Records Office.

General Information

Although the college has three degree-granting periods, Porterville College holds only one commencement ceremony each year in May. Students do not have to participate to receive a degree or diploma.

All students who complete a degree in either Fall or Spring of that academic year are eligible to participate. Students must have submitted a Degree Evaluation Petition to the Admissions & Records Office by the posted deadline. Participation in commencement does not guarantee a degree. A final evaluation is done prior to the posting of degrees. It will take approximately two months for the diplomas to be printed although student records are posted sooner.

Candidates will receive a letter via their student email with important commencement information. 

Tickets are not required for graduation.