Graduation
- Students who complete coursework in the summer 2013 or fall 2012 semesters are eligible for this winter’s commencement
- Audits must be completed by April 5
- Deadline for cap and gown purchase and to have name highlighted during the commencement ceremony is noon on May 2
- Grad Fest is 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. April 9
- Cap, gown and tassel are $27 and include six tickets for the ceremony
Commencement
9 a.m. – Rehearsal at Ford Fieldhouse. Must attend to participate in commencement
5:30 p.m. – Graduates line up on Bostwick Commons (Rain location – Ford Fieldhouse tunnel area)
6 p.m. – Commencement ceremony in Ford Fieldhouse, tickets required
Some students see Grand Rapids Community College as a stepping stone. Others enroll to get an associate’s degree, something many students don’t realize they’ve earned before it’s time to transfer.
The graduation requirements at GRCC may seem complex, but administrators would like to see more students moving on with degrees in hand.
“Along with maintaining a 2.0 grade point average, the students need to complete the specific program’s required classes, and they must have 62 credits of coursework, with 15 of those coursework credits from GRCC in order to be eligible for graduation,” said GRCC Dean of Student Affairs Tina Hoxie. “Then the students need to fill out a graduation audit, which is available online, or at the Student Record Office. Once that is filled out, it will be reviewed by the Student Record Office.”
GRCC is making a conscious effort to inform students of the idea of receiving an associate’s degree or certificate from the school.
“We’ve been promoting through “My Degree Path” which is a section in the online student center which will allow students to see their progress, and what they still need to do in order to complete the requirements for graduation,” Hoxie explained, “We also have specific outreach programs designed to help. One being “Ready, Set, Graduate” which raises the awareness of the value in obtaining an associate’s degree from GRCC.”
With graduating costing no money, it’s hard to understand why so many students either do not know they are eligible or simply do not pursue it. “At the end of 2012, 1,839 students were eligible for graduation,” said Cathy Noviskie, a member of the educational support staff. “And of that, only 409 participated in commencement.”
GRCC is putting together an event to allow students to get everything they need for commencement. “It’s called Grad Fest,” Hoxie said. “It’ll be where you can purchase your
cap and gown, along with getting the photo and video information for the ceremony. We’ll also have Alumni there, as well as job information.
“The whole thing will be fun and easy,” she said. “It’s a great opportunity to interact with the next step.”
Grad Fest will be 10 a.m.-6 p.m. April 9 in the Farside Room on the first floor of the Student Center.
