Skip to content
Ridgewater CollegeRidgewater College

Graduation

2027 Commencement Ceremony Information

Section titled “2027 Commencement Ceremony Information”

Hutchinson Commencement Ceremony

Section titled “Hutchinson Commencement Ceremony”

Thursday, May 13, 2027 2:00 pm-3:00 pm CDT (approx.) Social Hour Celebration to Follow McLeod County Fairgrounds Commercial Building 840 Century Ave SW Hutchinson, MN 55350

Willmar Commencement Ceremony

Section titled “Willmar Commencement Ceremony”

Friday, May 14, 2027 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm CDT (approx.) Social Hour Celebration to Follow Willmar Civic Center 2707 Arena Dr Willmar, MN 56201

Signing Up to Walk The link to sign up to walk will be posted near the start of Fall Semester 2026.

Parking Parking is FREE at both events. Follow the signage to designated parking areas. Parking is based on a first-come, first-served basis.

Arrival Time Students must arrive at their designated ceremony no later than 1:00 pm CDT dressed in their black cap, black gown, and Ridgewater tassel. Signage will be available to direct students where they need to go when they arrive. ** Rehearsal** There is no rehearsal prior to the ceremony. It is imperative for students to arrive by 1:00 pm CDT to receive instructions for the event, such as line up and walking in.

Apparel Gowns will not be sold at the ceremony. Students must arrive dressed in their black cap, black gown, and Ridgewater tassel. If a student owns a black cap and gown from a previous ceremony, they are welcome to wear that apparel to the ceremony but they must purchase a Ridgewater tassel from the Bookstore.

If a student is part of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), they may wear their PTK tassel in place of the Ridgewater one.

Apparel can be purchased in mid-March at the Ridgewater College Bookstore, in person at either bookstore or online at the Bookstore website.

According to the Ridgewater graduation policy, the only items that can be placed on a graduate’s cap and gown during the ceremony are Ridgewater-issued tassels, honor cords, or medallions or Phi Theta Kappa-issued tassels or honor cords. We ask that you do not wear a decorated cap during the ceremony.

If students would like to decorate their cap for photos, extra caps are available for sale in the Bookstore for $10. Students may purchase an extra cap and decorate it to wear for photos before and after the ceremony, but they must change into the plain black cap during the ceremony.

Honor Cords Honor cords will be given to each student at the ceremony. Honor cords cannot be provided beforehand. Students should arrive by 1:00 pm CDT on the day of graduation to receive their honor cords. If a student is part of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), they should visit PTK  for information about purchasing PTK honor regalia.

Inviting Guests from Abroad If you are inviting guests to graduation from outside of the United States, you can find information about visitor visa requirements here. A letter of invitation from the college is not needed to apply for a visitor visa.

Graduation Photos Professional photos from the event are taken by GradImages. Students that signed up to walk at the ceremony must select “Yes” on the GradImages section of the Ceremony Participation Form in order to have their personal photo link emailed to them after the ceremony for purchasing photos.

If a student did not receive their photos within one month after the ceremony, they can contact the GradImages Customer Service Department for assistance with any questions regarding their photos:

Information for Guests The doors will open at 1:00 pm CDT at each ceremony for guests. There are no tickets for guests, but we recommend that each student brings no more than 8 guests to the ceremony. Seating is based on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests of the Commencement Speaker and Student Speaker will have reserved seating if it is arranged prior to the ceremony with Student Life.