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58th Annual Commencement

Friday, May 15, 2026, 4:00 p.m.

Herkimer County Community College’s 58th annual Commencement will be held in the gymnasium. A reception with light refreshments will be held on the lawn immediately following the ceremony.

Graduation Application
Students who believe they are eligible to graduate must complete a graduation application, regardless of whether they plan to participate in the ceremony. The completed graduation application should be submitted to the Registrar’s Office no later than Friday, April 10. Applications will continue to be accepted after April 10; however, the names of graduates who submit applications after April 10 may not be included in the graduation program, news release, and Class of 2026 t-shirts.

Grad Fair: Your One-Stop Celebration!
Monday, April 27, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Library Building Lobby
Stop by the Grad Fair to wrap up everything you need for the big day.

  • Submit your graduation application
  • Pick up your cap, gown, honors stoles, PTK cords & guest tickets
  • Get career & transfer advice, set up LinkedIn, and request transcripts
  • Snap pics at the photo booth, enjoy music & grab some free food!

Don’t miss this chance to celebrate and get graduation-ready—all in one place! See you there! 

Commencement Regalia
Caps, gowns, and honors stoles/cords are free and can be picked up Monday, April 27 through Friday, May 8 in the College Bookstore. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. You will be fitted for your cap and gown at pick-up, and a photo ID will be required.

If you are unable to pick up your regalia, contact the Bookstore at (315) 866-1550 or benjamikl@herkimer.edu by Friday, April 24 to make special arrangements.

Honors Stoles and Cords
• Graduates with a cumulative 3.8 GPA or higher (as of completion of Winter 2026 semester) are entitled to wear a gold honors stole distributed to eligible graduates with regalia. If you do not receive an honors stole with your regalia, and you believe you are eligible, contact the Registrar’s office at (315) 574-4037 or registrar@herkimer.edu to confirm your eligibility.
• Phi Theta Kappa members in good standing will receive blue/gold cords with regalia.
• Honors Program graduates are eligible to wear gold cords, available through the Honors program coordinator.

Honors stoles and cords will not be available for pick up the day of Commencement.

Guest Tickets
Guest tickets are limited to 5 per graduate and will be distributed to graduates with regalia. If additional tickets become available, a notification will be sent to all graduates via email and text.
• Each guest entering the gymnasium will be required to present a ticket.
• Children ages 3 and up are required to have tickets. Children under 3 without tickets must sit on a lap. (Due to limited space, strollers are discouraged.)
• Seating in the gymnasium is general admission on a first-come, first-served basis. Most seating is bleacher style.
• Special seating for guests with mobility difficulties will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Animals, backpacks, and other large bags are not allowed in the building.
• Please note the gymnasium can get warm, so please dress accordingly.

Live Stream:
For those unable to attend in person, a live stream will be available on this page.

Commencement Line-Up:
Graduates should report to the Technology Center by 3:00 p.m. on Friday, May 15, so proper marching order can be arranged. Late arrivals may not be permitted to participate in the ceremony. Graduates will be lined up alphabetically in order of major, and then by last name. Please bring your regalia with you, and refrain from bringing purses and other valuables, as there is not a secure place to store them during the ceremony.

Photography:
The College has contracted with Genesee Photo to take photos of each graduate as they receive their diplomas. Proofs will be available on Genesee Photo's website within a few weeks of the ceremony. We recommend you pre-register to receive notifications via email regarding proofs. 

Flowers:

Commencement flowers may be purchased online in advance. Online orders may be picked up at the florist’s kiosk at the entrance to the ceremony. Flowers will also be sold on-site at the same prices, but ordering ahead guarantees your selection of color/size. 

Class of 2026 T-Shirts:

T-shirts featuring graduates’ names (for those who submitted a grad app by April 10) may be ordered in advance here: www.thecommencementgroup.com/herkimer/ 

T-shirts may also be purchased at the ceremony entrance. The cost is $39 and credit cards, debit cards, Apply Pay and Tap will be accepted.

Diplomas:

You will receive a diploma cover only at Commencement. Diplomas will be mailed in July to all graduates whose degree requirements have been met.

Questions:

Campus Map and Directions to Herkimer College: http://www.herkimer.edu/directions/