It’s time to celebrate! Chandler-Gilbert Community College's annual Commencement Ceremony is coming up. We look forward to seeing you there!
Commencement Ceremony
When: Friday, May 8, 2020
Time: 9 a.m. Doors open, and graduate check-in begins at 8 a.m.
Location: Desert Financial Arena
600 E. Veterans Way
Tempe, AZ 85281
How to participate in the Commencement Ceremony
If you wish to participate in the Commencement Ceremony, you need to:
- Apply for graduation before the deadline
- RSVP to Participate in the Commencement Ceremony
- Complete a participation card
- Participation cards will be mailed to eligible students and are due to Enrollment Services by May 7, 2020.
Important information
Check-in will begin at 8 a.m. All graduates must be checked in before 8:45 a.m., or you may not be allowed to participate in the ceremony. Desert Financial Arena upholds a clear bag policy. Please note that you will be instructed to return any bags and items out of compliance with this policy to your car.
Due to limited space, only participating graduates will be allowed in the check-in area. Doors open to guests one hour prior to the ceremony at 8 a.m.
Students, guests, and staff will pass through metal detectors prior to entering the arena. Security teams will also use hand wands and check bags as an added measure. Please take this under consideration to complete the check-in process on time.
No rehearsal is held prior to commencement.
Tickets are not required.
If you are able, please carpool or consider rideshare services.
Professional photographers will be taking pictures of all commencement participants on Friday, May 8, 2020, during the commencement ceremony. These photographs will be available for purchase from Grad Images.
Participation in the commencement ceremony does not certify graduation or completion of a certificate. Degree and certificate recipients who participate in the ceremony will receive only an award cover at the ceremony. Students will be notified via their official student email once certificates and degrees are available for pick-up.
If you are a member of CGCC's Phi Theta Kappa chapter, consider ordering a special graduation regalia.
If you or one of your guests needs accommodations, please complete the Commencement RSVP and indicate any ADA accommodations you may need.
Due to parking and drop-off locations, you will be walking and standing in lines before and during the ceremony. We recommend students and guests wear comfortable footwear.
The ceremony will be approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. Please be respectful of all of our graduates; all attendees are expected to remain for the entire ceremony.
Concession stands will be open for guests.
Balloons, strollers, and noisemakers are prohibited inside the arena.
Following the ceremony, guests will be directed up the stands and outside the arena to meet their graduates. Guests will not be able to access the arena floor.
You are also invited to attend the Maricopa Community Colleges Convocations. These smaller, more intimate events are cultural celebrations that affirm our students and reach out to families and friends in a meaningful way. These celebrations include:
- African American Convocation
- American Indian Convocation
- Asian Pacific Islander Convocation
- Hispanic Convocation
- LGBTQ+ Convocation
- Veterans Convocation