2026 Graduation Ceremonies

• Please check for spelling accuracy and degree(s) applied for.  
  If you notice an error, please inform Mardell Mommsen Flippen in Student Services Area, Room 100 immediately!
• Caps and Gowns are FREE:  
  Gown measurements will need your height with shoes, and t-shirt size.  Caps and gowns will be a dark blue hue. Deadline to submit your measurements for participation in the Commencement Ceremony is XXX.  Please contact the Registrar’s Office before the deadline date!  
  
  Your cap and gown may be picked up on May 12, 13, or 14 at the Information Desk, Student Services Area, Room 100.  Watch your email for more details regarding pickup times.  The cap, gown, and tassel are yours to keep!   
• Prior to XXX – Announcements and/or Name Cards:  
  These may be purchased at Clinton Printing, 14th Avenue North & Roosevelt Street during their normal business hours of 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or by appointment on Saturdays, or online at clintonprinting.com. The cost for each announcement is $1.50. 

• Be at the Gymnasium no later than XXX
  Please use West Hall of Fame Entrance #D26. Graduates need to report to the Wellness Gym (watch for signs!). Instructions and lineup for Commencement will begin promptly at XXX It is imperative that you are robed and ready to go at XXX
• Photographs: A representative from Elite Photography will be photographing all participating graduates as they receive their diploma. To view and/or order photos, you may go to www.elitephoto2.com These should be available one week after the Ceremony.  
• Family photos may be taken after the Ceremony in front of the stage. 
• Participants will be handed a black diploma cover during the presentation. Your diploma will be sent to you once final evaluations are completed and degrees are awarded. Simply place the diploma in your black cover once you receive it. An updated copy of your transcript with degree(s) noted will also be sent to you at that time. They should be distributed within a month after your graduation date.
• Honor Graduates
  Students graduating with honors (3.5 cumulative GPA or higher at the end of the 2024 Fall term), will be receiving a letter of notification. Honor graduates will pick up their Honor cords before lining up for the Ceremony. Honor graduates will be recognized during the Ceremony.  
• PTK
  PTK stoles are NOT available for pickup at Ceremony, unless you contact the advisor in advance. 
• Recognition Cords
  Service Member graduates will pick up their Recognition Cords before lining up for the Ceremony. You will be recognized during the Ceremony. Please let us know by March 28 if you are a Service Member so we can notate that in the program. 

You must have:

• Successfully completed the courses listed on the letter you were sent from the Registrar’s Office after you applied for graduation.
• Met all financial obligations to the College:
  • Tuition and Fees
  • Library
  • Outstanding Debt/Balance
• Communicated your correct address to the Registrar’s Office to ensure a prompt delivery of your diploma.

Please refer any questions to:

On behalf of The Commencement Group, congratulations. We are excited to bring you a selection of items to order for your graduate. Take a look and place an online order now. Our booth will be conveniently located at the building entrance to pick up your online order before the ceremony begins.

A portion of the proceeds support your local PTK Honor Society.

Place your order

Questions? Email info@thecommencementgroup.com.

Cap and Gown Pick-Up (Regalia)

You do NOT need to purchase your cap and gown. We provide this for you.

• Where can I pick-up my regalia?
   Student Center - Student Services Welcome Desk
• When can I pick-up my regalia?
  Your regalia will be ready for pick-up on the following dates and times: 
  
  • XXX
• What will be needed to pick up my regalia?
  A Photo ID (Driver’s license, State ID, EICC ID, Passport, etc.)
• What if I cannot pick up my regalia during the dates and times requested?
  Please email the Registrar, Robin Mitchell, rmitchellFREEEICC to let us know who will be picking up for you. They will be required to sign for you when they pick up your regalia and will also need to provide a Photo ID. 

• Date and Time of Ceremony:
  XXX
• Location of Commencement:
  Calvary Church
  501 W Bypass 61, Muscatine IA
• Arrival of Graduates:
  You will need to arrive by XXX to check-in and line-up.  Please come to the main entrance and proceed to the back of the Commons area. 
• Honor Cords/Veteran Cords:
  If you received honors, your honor cord will be available when you pick up your cap and gown. 
• Reader Cards
  You will receive a “Reader Card” during the check-in process on the day of the ceremony. This will list your name, program, and honors. You will take this with you and hand it to the reader. The reader will read your name when you walk across the stagee.
• Arrival of Guests:
  Guests can begin arriving at XXX Guests should enter at the main entrance.
• Will tickets be required for my guests?
  Tickets are not required for guests.
• Professional Photography:
  There will be a professional photographer who will take your picture as you receive your diploma and prior to line-up.  You can view and/or order photos on the company’s website approximately one week after the ceremony: elitephoto2.com

• Will I receive my diploma the day of the ceremony?
  No, your diploma will be mailed within 3-4 weeks after you have completed your last class(es). It will be mailed to the address you entered on your graduation application. If you have a balance owed to the college, your diploma will be mailed after it is paid off.
• I received a blank diploma cover, why?
  Diploma covers are provided to students who attend the commencement ceremony. Your diploma will be mailed after you have completed your last class(es) and have paid all balances. Please hold onto the diploma cover to display your diploma once you receive it. 
• Will there be an opportunity to take pictures at Calvary after the Ceremony?
  Unfortunately, we cannot allow graduates and guests to remain in the auditorium.  Graduates and their guests will have an opportunity for pictures in the Commons immediately after the ceremony. 
• Because I walked across the stage and received my diploma cover, I am done with school, right?
  Maybe. If you met all the requirements to your program and the appropriate GPA, you will be finished with your program. However, you will not be finished with school if you still have classes remaining and/or have not met the GPA requirement. If you have any questions or concerns about this, please reach out to your advisor or the Registrar.
• How do I clean my Regalia before the ceremony?
  Caps and Gowns do not need to be cleaned. Do not wash/dry your regalia as it can ruin your gown. If you would like to remove any wrinkles, please hang your gown in a steamy bathroom. Do not iron your regalia. Do not use an industrial strength steamer on your regalia.
• Do I need to return my regalia after the ceremony?
  No, the regalia is yours to keep and a great keepsake of the day!
• I know I should be receiving Honors, when do I get the honor cords?
  nor cords will be handed out during regalia pick-up. They will be based on your Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) at the end of the Fall 2024 Semester. Your honors will be recognized in the commencement program.
• What color are the honor cords?
  Gold honor cords for those who received “Honors” = 3.5 – 3.99 CGPA and “High Honors” = 4.00 CGPA.
• I was a part of Phi Theta Kappa, will I get anything for my membership?
  If you are a member, please contact the PTK advisor as soon as possible so the PTK team can make sure you are recognized appropriately. 
• I am a Veteran, will I get recognized? 
  If you a veteran, you will receive a Red, White and Blue recognition cord at cap and gown pick-up.  You will be recognized in the program and during the ceremony. 
• Will the ceremony be broadcasted LIVE?
  Yes, there will be a LIVE broadcast of the Commencement ceremony.   Please go to eicc.edu/grad25 for the LIVE broadcast link.
• Can I decorate my cap?
  Yes. Students are welcome to decorate their caps to celebrate their achievements and show their individuality. Decorated caps must align with the Student Conduct and Community Standards and should be respectful to the importance of the ceremony. Any caps deemed to be inappropriate will not be permitted to be worn. NOTE: Cap decorating supplies will be available in the Student Center during regalia pick-up.

On behalf of The Commencement Group, congratulations. We are excited to bring you a selection of items to order for your graduate. Take a look and place an online order now. Our booth will be conveniently located at the building entrance to pick up your online order before the ceremony begins.

A portion of the proceeds support your local PTK Honor Society.

Place your order

Questions? Email info@thecommencementgroup.com.

Pick up your cap and gown (regalia) - we provide this to you at no cost. 

When: 

• 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Wednesday, May 6 
• 7 a.m. - 7 p.m., Thursday, May 7 
• 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Friday, May 8 

Where:  

• TBD

Bring:  

• A photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, EICC ID, passport, etc.) 

• You’ll sign for your cap and gown and bring it with you to the ceremony. 

If you can’t make it to a pick-up, email me at jdarlandFREEEICC,  and let me know who you are sending in your place. We need this information in advance and in writing, and they will need to show a photo ID and sign for you. 

Line-up:  

• Arrive by 5 p.m. 
• Enter Vibrant Arena using the employee entrance (see attached picture. )
• Check in. 
• If you received honors or are a veteran, pick up your cords at the table next to check in.
• Check the ‘reader card’ you were handed. It lists your name, program, and honors; make sure everything is correct. Before you cross the stage, you hand this card to the reader, who will announce you.
• Let us know if you need help with your regalia. 
• Get in line.  

 Guests 

• They can start arriving as early as 5 p.m. and should use the main entrance (marked Guest Entrance on the map). 
• There is no cost or ticket needed to attend the ceremony.  
• There is no limit on the number of guests you can bring.  

Parking  

• Parking at the Vibrant Arena is available on a first-come first-serve basis.  

Security 

• All graduates and guests must enter through a metal detector. 
• Bags/purses can’t be larger than 5x7x1, except diaper bags and medical necessities.  
• Other items not allowed include: 
  • Air horns/noise makers of any kind 
  • Pocket knives, pepper spray, and weapons of any kind 
  • Helium balloons  

Entering the ceremony arena
This labeled diagram shows the inside of the arena, where you will enter (red line) and exit (green line), and where you’ll sit.   

• Exiting the arena
  Use the employee entrance to exit the building (the same doors in which you entered the building). There will be signs posted and volunteers directing you to the exit.  

• Professional photography
  Photographers from Elite Photography will take your picture as you walk across the stage with your diploma cover. The pictures will be available for purchase about one week after the ceremony. You can review and purchase the photos, go to www.elitephoto2.com. 

• Will I receive my diploma the day of the ceremony?
  No, your diploma will be mailed six- to eight-weeks after you have completed your last class(es). It will be mailed to the address you provided on your graduation application. If you have a balance owed to the college, your diploma will be mailed after it is paid. 
• I received a blank diploma cover, why?
  Diploma covers are provided to students who attend the commencement ceremony. Your diploma will be mailed after you have completed your last class(es) and have paid all balances. Please hold onto the diploma cover to display it once you receive it. 
• Can I stay at Vibrant Arena and take pictures on the stage with my guests?
  Unfortunately, we cannot allow graduates and guests to remain at the Vibrant Arena after the ceremony as we have limited time and many people attending. 
• Because I walked across the stage and received my diploma cover, I am done with school, right?
  Maybe. If you meet all of your program requirements and the appropriate GPA, you are finished. However, if you still have classes remaining and/or have not met the GPA requirement, you may have more to complete. If you have any questions or concerns, reach out to your advisor or the Registrar. 
• How do I clean my cap and gown before the ceremony?
  You don’t need to. In fact, if you wash/dry your regalia, it can ruin your gown. To remove any wrinkles, hang your gown in a steamy bathroom. Don’t iron or use an industrial strength steamer. 
• Do I need to return my regalia after the ceremony?
  No, the regalia is yours to keep and a great keepsake of the day! 
• I know I should be receiving Honors, when do I get the honor cords?
  
  • Honor cords can be picked up at the ceremony. Look for the cord table after you check in. Cords are awarded based on your Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) at the end of the 2024 Fall Semester. Honors are also recognized in the commencement program. 
• What color are the honor cords?
  • White honor cords symbolize you earned a 3.5 – 3.99 CGPA 
  • Gold honor cords symbolize you are receiving High Honors and earned a 4.00 CGPA 
• I was a part of Phi Theta Kapa, will I get anything for my membership?
  
  • Yes, if you are listed as a member of the SCC Chapter. First, go to PTK.org and make sure you are listed. If not, contact PTK advisor Debra Lohman at dlohmanFREEEICC%2C remind her you are graduating, and ask her to help with your transfer.  
  • If you are listed as a member of the SCC Chapter, you should also contact Debra Lohman as soon as possible to make sure you are recognized appropriately.  
• I am a Veteran, will I get recognized? 
  
  • Yes, if you shared that information on your graduation application. 
  • Also, after you check-in the day of the ceremony, stop by the cord table to pick up your veteran cords.  
• Can I decorate my cap?
  Yes. Many graduates do this to celebrate all they’ve accomplished. If you do so, make sure any messaging, etc., is respectful and does not violate any Student Conduct and Community Standards. Any caps considered inappropriate will not be allowed to be worn. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to: