2026 Rhodes State Commencement

• Doors to the auditorium will open at 8:30am. Guests must be seated by 9:45am. Seating in the auditorium is on a first come, first served basis.
• Wheelchair seating is available in the designated area at the back of the auditorium.
• A sign language interpreter for the hearing impaired is provided.
• Once the processional begins, guests are not permitted in the auditorium lobby until the processional has ended.
• Although the length of the ceremony varies with the number of graduates, it is best to plan for at least 2 hours. Guests are asked to respect the graduates and stay for the entire ceremony.
• An overflow area with live viewing of the ceremony is available to accomodate guests and/or guests with small children. Tables and chairs are provided.
• After the ceremony, an Alumni reception will follow in the Exihibit Halls.

Graduates: Please let us know if you are planning on attending the ceremony or not by April 3rd. Click here to RSVP for the ceremony.

Your next step as a graduate is to attend the Graduation Wrap Up on Monday, April 20, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 pm. Stop by the Public Service Building, room 120, when you have a break from class. 

During the event, you will be able to; 

• Pick up your allotted graduation wrist bands. Wristband is not required for the graduates, only guests (Photo ID. Required)
• Make sure you have all graduation requirements complete. 
• Purchase a cap/gown/tassel in the campus bookstore for $48. 
• Pick up Veterans cord - Please bring a copy of your DD214 or Nobe. 

• Graduates are required to be at the Civic Center Exhibit Halls at 8:30 am to receive their seat assignment and rehearse the processional.
• Do not bring purses, cameras, book bags, or packages - the Civic Center does not provide storage.
• Wear comfortable but appropriate clothing under your gown.  We suggest dark pants/skirts with dark shoes. Women should consider wearing flat shoes for safety and comfort.  Be advised, there are several steps leading to and from the stage.
• Bring cap/gown/tassel with you. Keep the gown free of wrinkles.
• Graduates needing special arrangements (i.e., hearing impaired, vision impaired, wheelchair access, etc.) should contact Rhodes State College Accommodative Services at 419-995-8476.
• Professional photography will be provided by Graduation Foto.

• Wristbands are required for entrance into the Auditorium.  Graduates do not need a wristband.
• Students must pick up their wristbands in PS 120 April 20 (9:00am-6:00pm), April 21-23 (8:00am-5:00pm) or make arrangements by contacting Alissa Zimmerman at zimmerman.a@rhodesstate.edu or calling 419-995-8034.  After April 23rd, the graduate will forfeit all wristbands for their guests.  
• Any extra tickets will be placed at the Will Call booth at the Civic Center on a first come, first serve basis.
• An overflow area with live viewing of the ceremony is available to accomodate guests and/or guests with small children. Tables and chairs are provided.
• Doors to the auditorium will open at 8:30am. Guests must be seated by 9:45am.  Seating in the auditorium is on a first come, first served basis.
• Wheelchair seating is available in the designated area at the back of the auditorium.
• A sign language interpreter for the hearing impaired is provided.
• Once the processional begins, guests are not permitted in the auditorium lobby until the processional has ended.

• Free parking is available in the Borra Center parking lot.
• For a fee, parking is also available in the parking garage, located on the corner of Market and Elizabeth Streets, with a skywalk connected to the Civic Center. 
• For a fee, parking is also available in the parking lot at Allen County Children Services, on the corner of Market and Spring streets.  
• PLEASE NOTE: Alter Ego Comics will also be hosting their annual Free Comic Book Day on May 2. One block of Main Street will be blocked off between North and High Streets during this time.  Please allow extra time to find parking for the graduation ceremony.

• Do I need to let the College know if I plan to attend the ceremony?  Graduates, click here to indicate whether you plan on attending or not.
• How long is graduation? 2 hours, depending on the number of graduates.
• How to view the ceremony? The ceremony will be streamed live. Details coming. 
• Where do I get my cap and gown? 
  • You can purchase your cap, gown, and tassel directly from Herff Jones now through March 20, 2026.  Your order will be shipped to the bookstore for pickup after April 17, 2026.  Click here to go to the Herff Jones website to place your order. 
  • You can purchase your cap, gown, and tassel in The Campus Bookstore starting March 23, 2026 for a cost of $48. 
  • Diploma Frames are also available for purchase in the Campus Bookstore.
• What color tassel should I buy?
  • Colors of tassels are as follows (worn for the ceremony):
    • Agriculture Technology - Maize
    • Allied Health – Forest Green
    • Associate of Arts – White
    • Associate of Science – Golden Yellow
    • Business Professions – Drab
    • Engineering Technology – Orange
    • Human Services – Citron
    • Information Technology/Office Administration – Drab
    • Nursing – Apricot
  • An optional Souvenir tassel (blue and white) is also available for purchase as a keepsake.
• My guest is in a wheelchair. Are there special accommodations available? Wheelchair seating for guests is available in the designated area at the back of the auditorium. Make sure anyone needing extra time to be seated arrives when the doors open. A sign language interpreter for the hearing impaired is provided.
• What if I have more guests than tickets/wristbands? An overflow area with live viewing is available to accommodate guests without wristbands and/or guests with small children. Tables and chairs are provided.
• Does an infant or small child need a ticket/wristband for admission into the Auditorium? Per the Civic Center fire code, every person in the auditorium needs a wristband, even those sitting on an adult's lap.
• Will there be any extra tickets? Any extra tickets will be placed at the Will Call booth at the Civic Center on a first come, first serve basis.
• Can I bring my purse, coat, personal items? The Civic Center does not provide storage.  Graduates should leave personal items with guests.
• I’m not going to graduate but I’ve already applied for Spring Semester. What do I do? See the Registration & Records Office, registrar@rhodesstate.edu, 419-995-8034, Public Service Building Rm 120.
• When do I get my diploma? Your diploma will be mailed after grades are processed to your address on file.  Please make sure your address is current by viewing in STARS. If not, submit an address change in STARS.
• Who do I contact for other questions? Email Alissa Zimmerman at zimmerman.a@rhodesstate.edu or call 419-995-8034.