Isothermal Community College’s Curriculum Commencement will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the Frank and Mabel West Auditorium at The Center for Learning and Arts – The Foundation.
Graduates include students who have earned certificates, diplomas, or degrees during Fall 2025, Spring 2026, and Summer 2026.
Please review all information carefully. This page includes important deadlines and ceremony requirements.
Graduation requirements vary by program of study. Students are assigned a College Catalog at the time of application or change of major. This catalog remains in effect as long as the student is continuously enrolled or graduates. Exceptions may be approved on a case-by-case basis.
Students should refer to the program description in the College Catalog and consult their college navigator or faculty mentor with questions.
Students must file all applicable Graduation Applications with the Records Office. The Graduation Application is located in Patriot Port. Students should apply once registered for their final term of that academic program.
Fall 2025 Completers: October 24, 2025
Spring 2026 Completers: March 31, 2026
Summer 2026 Completers: March 31, 2026 (if participating in May ceremony) or June 26, 2026 (if not participating).
Graduates wishing to apply for a certificate, diploma, or degree not currently active on their record should email registrar@isothermal.edu and specify the credential they wish to add.
Caps, gowns, tassels, and diploma covers may be purchased at the ICC Bookstore beginning March 16, 2026. The cap, gown, and tassel package is $29 (tax included). One diploma cover will be provided to ceremony participants.
Eligible graduates who wish to purchase an Honors medallion can do so for $15 (tax included) on May 14 from 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. during the Honors distribution in the Foundation Performing Arts Center. They may also be purchased in the ICC Bookstore following Commencement Rehearsal.
Note: Graduates participating in Commencement will have group photos taken with caps and gowns during rehearsal on May 14.
Thursday, May 14, 2026: Honors Distribution and Mandatory Commencement Rehearsal
Location: Isothermal Community College Foundation Performing Arts and Conference Center
8 - 9 a.m.
Graduation with Honors tassel distribution
Cap and gown purchase available
9 - 10 a.m.
Group Photos (see schedule below)
10 a.m. - approx. 12:30 p.m.
Commencement Rehearsal
Graduates must attend unless excused by the registrar by May 8, 2026.
9 a.m.
Phi Theta Kappa
9:05 a.m.
National Technical Honor Society
9:10 a.m.
National Society of Leardership and Success
9:15 a.m.
FBLA - Collegiate
9:20 a.m.
Student Government Association
9:25 a.m.
REaCH
9:30 a.m.
Polk County Early College
9:35 a.m.
Arts and Sciences
9:40 a.m.
Applied Technologies
9:45 a.m.
Health and Public Services
Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026
Commencement Start Times: 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. (Graduates will attend their designated ceremony time)
Location: Isothermal Community College Foundation Performing Arts and Conference Center, Frank and Mabel West Auditorium
Start Time:
10 a.m.
Graduate Lineup:
9 a.m.
Guest Entry:
9 a.m.
Start Time:
2 p.m.
Graduate Lineup:
1 p.m.
Guest Entry:
1 p.m.
Due to space considerations, each graduate who RSVPs will receive five tickets. RSVP deadline is April 23, 2026.
Tickets may be picked up beginning May 7, 2026, at the Foundation Box Office (Mon–Thurs, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.) or at rehearsal.
Each guest must have a ticket, regardless of age.
Graduates may request extra tickets through the Foundation Box Office. Extra tickets will be distributed equally on May 14, 2026, from 9 a.m.–5 p.m., if available. If graduates need to have someone other than them pick up tickets, they must email boxoffice@foundationshows.org from their ICC student email with the name of the person who will pick up the tickets. Graduates or designees must show an ID to pick up their tickets. Graduates are responsible for distributing tickets to their guests.
Guests should plan to arrive early enough to be seated before the processional begins. Those who are not will be welcome to take a seat after all employees and graduates have entered the auditorium. With the exception of those with special seating (e.g., wheelchair accessible seating), all guests will be asked to fill in seats from front to back and center to aisle as they enter.
If graduates require special accommodations/wheelchair-accessible seating, please contact the Office of Assessibility at 828-395-1481 or email Rachel (Rhea) Evans at revans@isothermal.edu. To guarantee accommodations, please submit requests no later than April 24.
If guests require special accommodations/wheelchair-accessible seating, please contact the Box Office at 828-286-9990 or boxoffice@foundationshows.org. To coordinate accommodations, please submit requests on or before the day tickets are picked up by the graduate.
Choose responsible attire choices that are appropriate under regalia and appropriate for additional photo opportunities. All attire must meet expectations.
Gowns it is best to iron or steam inside out – if ironing, be sure to start with a cool temperature so the material does not burn.
Mortarboard (Cap) may be decorated using personal expression that complies with the Student Code of Conduct. As deemed appropriate by the associate vice president of Student Affairs, decorations must not be sexually suggestive, harassing, or unlawfully discriminatory in nature, or create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment. Decorations should not obstruct the view of others or distract from the experience of the ceremony. This is a wonderful day to celebrate and recognize the accomplishments of each of our graduates publicly, and we look forward to a meaningful day together. If you have questions, please contact the registrar’s office in advance at registrar@isothermal.edu.
Isothermal Community College-issued tassels are worn on the right side and switched to the left when instructed to turn your tassel.
Gold Tassels: Graduates who have earned a program grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher may wear a gold tassel to designate this achievement. After rehearsal, graduates will receive an honors card to exchange or purchase an additional tassel and medallion in the Bookstore. Graduates may exchange their black tassel for a gold one, or they may purchase a gold one. For 2026 summer graduates, honors will be calculated for all courses completed through the 2026 spring term. Your final GPA will be determined once 2026 summer courses are complete.
Medallions: Rutherford Early College High School and Polk County Early College graduates may wear a medallion. They may pick the medallion up from Records Office staff immediately following Commencement rehearsal.
Cords: Graduates who are qualifying members/inductees of PTK, NSLS, NTHS, and FBLA may be eligible to wear graduation cords. Please contact the organization’s advisor to inquire and receive these cords.
Personal Regalia, Stoles, Sashes, and Adornments: Personal regalia, including but not limited to sashes, stoles, or other adornments not officially sanctioned by Isothermal Community College are not permitted during the ceremony and will need to be removed before lining up for the ceremony. We understand that personal regalia and additional items purchased through a collegiate organization may hold significant meaning for individuals and encourage graduates to wear those for personal photos outside of the ceremony time.
Resolve all outstanding balances, library fines, and overdue materials prior to rehearsal. Provide proof of payment to registrar@isothermal.edu.
Graduates are responsible for their valuables. Graduates may want to leave them at home or with somebody they trust who is not participating in Commencement.
Graduates, employees, and guests should set devices to silent (not vibrate) during all Commencement activities.
We ask guests to remain seated until the end of the ceremony unless they must attend to the needs of themselves or others. For children, this is a long ceremony, and they may need help remaining quiet and still. Please be mindful of volume, attention span, needs, and wants (water, activity packet, and/or electronic devices with the volume muted or with earbuds/headphones).
Graduates requiring accommodations should contact the Office of Accessibility at 828-395-1732 or revens@isothermal.edu by April 24, 2026.
Guests requiring accommodations should contact the Foundation Box Office at 828-286-9990 or boxoffice@foundationshows.org.
Parking, including accessible parking, will be available in the Foundation lot. Please park only in designated spaces.
Student Affairs
Student Center
Office: 828-395-4193
Department Directory
Monday - Thursday: 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. - noon
Subject to change depending on availability.
Rachel Mercantini
Registrar
rmercantini@isothermal.edu
828-395-4201