Commencement Ceremony

Lake Erie College welcomes graduates and their families. Please familiarize yourself with the information in this section and share it with others who may accompany you on this special day. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we celebrate this momentous occasion. Check the Academic CalendarAcademic Calendar for commencement dates.

Graduation Application

All students must apply to graduate. Submit graduation applications for spring and summer graduation by November 1st and for fall graduation by May 1st. The $150.00 graduation fee will be added to your account. If you have questions about graduation applications or deadlines, please call the Registrar's Office at (440) 375-7010. Click here to access the Graduation ApplicationGraduation Application. 

Tickets

You must have tickets for the ceremony. Graduates must report to the facility an hour before the ceremony and stay there until the ceremony procession begins.

Rehearsal Information

Rehearsal is mandatory and will occur before the ceremony. We will email the rehearsal dates and times along with your graduation confirmation. If you do not attend the rehearsal, we will not allow you to participate in the ceremony. The seating chart will be based on rehearsal attendance and will not change after rehearsal. We will run through the entire ceremony during rehearsal, so you will cross the stage when your name gets called.

Not Participating?

Notify the Registrar's Office if you know you will not participate in the graduation ceremony.

Appropriate Attire for Commencement

Take your cap and gown out of the bag and hang it on a hanger a few days before the ceremony to let the wrinkles relax. To ensure a neat appearance, steam or iron your gown with a WARM iron (not hot). Don't have a steamer or iron? Hang your gown in the bathroom, and the steam from the shower should reduce wrinkles! Wear dresses or dress pants with a blouse and clean dress shoes. Flip-flops are inappropriate footwear, and we suggest avoiding high heels.

Graduation Regalia

All graduating students participating in the ceremony must order graduation regalia (cap and gown). Submit your regalia order with the graduation form to the Registrar's Office. Orders placed after the submitted regalia order may incur an additional $10.00 late fee to cover special processing and shipping costs. The Registrar’s Office will distribute all caps and gowns. Return your cap, gown, and hood to the designated location following the graduation ceremony. We will withhold your diploma and charge you for the cap and gown replacement cost if you fail to return it after the ceremony.

Billing & Transcripts

Remember, we will not release your diploma until you fully pay your account. Transcripts may be requested at www.getmytranscript.comwww.getmytranscript.com Note that your graduation statement will not appear on the transcript until after graduation. For other graduation-related questions, contact the Registrar's Office. All graduating students must pay the Graduation Fee, even if they choose not to participate in Commencement. While part of the fee covers auditing your record and procuring your diploma, the primary purpose is to maintain your record securely from now on.