Congratulations, Class of 2026! Before you know it you will be processing in your cap and gown to the sound of “Pomp and Circumstance” as friends and family celebrate your graduation from Grove City College. In preparation for this wonderful event we would ask that you take a moment to read the following information and share it with your family.
The College is committed to holding both the Baccalaureate and Commencement ceremonies outdoors on the Quad even in the event of some rain. In the case of extreme weather, one or both events may be held in the PLC Arena with simulcast to the IM Room.
Should either or both ceremonies be forced indoors, all guests will need to present tickets in order to be seated. Each graduating student will receive three general admission tickets for seating in the Arena and four general admission tickets for seating in the IM Room for each ceremony. Students will receive a package notification indicating they can retrieve their tickets from the mailroom beginning on April 20, 2026. Please do so promptly. Tickets will be necessary for admittance only if the day’s events must be moved inside due to extreme weather. Please make a plan for getting tickets to your family in advance of the ceremony. Unfortunately, no extras are available. Both ceremonies will be simulcast to Ketler Auditorium in the Pew Fine Arts Center for those without tickets. Tickets will not be needed for ceremonies held outdoors on the Quad.
Seating will open at 5:45 p.m. for Baccalaureate and 8:45 a.m. for Commencement whether indoors or out.
Please note: The College will provide live-streaming coverage of both ceremonies on our website at www.gcc.edu/livestream for those who are unable to attend.
Rehearsal for both Baccalaureate and Commencement will take place in the PLC Arena promptly at 3:45 p.m. on Friday, May 8 and will last 45 minutes if students arrive on time. Those who are unable to attend must inform Student Life and Learning in advance via studentlife@gcc.edu.
The cap and gown you provided measurements for when you submitted your online graduation application, usually in the fall, will be distributed to students at rehearsal. Those who are unable to attend rehearsal should make arrangements to have someone else retrieve their cap and gown. Student regalia will otherwise remain on the student’s seat in the PLC Arena until Commencement.
Any special needs requests for guests such as wheelchair access, a sign language interpreter, etc. must be submitted in advance using this online form. This form will be available beginning on Monday, March 16, and requests should be submitted on or before Friday, May 1. Please feel free to contact alumni@gcc.edu with any questions you may have. All ticketing requirements apply.
Undergraduate students must vacate their room within 24 hours of their last exam unless they are the sibling of a graduating senior. If you live at a distance and have an undergraduate sibling who will need to stay on campus through Commencement, May 9, we would ask that you complete this form to confirm their need to stay. This will allow us to program your sibling’s ID card for access to their residence hall through 8 p.m. on May 9 and the College’s dining facilities through the morning of Commencement. The charge noted on the housing form will be covered by the College and there is no need for your sibling to take any further action.
On-campus housing is not available for guests, and graduating seniors may not host overnight guests (including siblings) during Commencement week.
Following the approximately 90-minute Commencement ceremony, a lunch will be offered in MAP Dining Hall for graduates and their guests. Tickets for guests are available at $18.75 each ($9 for ages 7-12) and must be purchased in advance at the button below (between Monday, March 16 and Friday, May 1). Please make your reservations early as there are a limited number of tickets available, and tickets will not be sold at the door. If luncheon tickets are purchased, they will be included in the graduation packet you receive through the mailroom.
Commencement Luncheon Tickets
After graduation, your matriculation deposit and remaining Crimson Cash balance will be transferred to your student account. Donations to the Senior Class Gift and any check-out fines or charges will be deducted from your student account and the remaining credit balance will be refunded to you by June 30. Your patience is appreciated as the steps to finalize this credit will involve many departments and can take several weeks to process. Refunds and final paychecks will be direct deposited to the bank account on file with the College. Be sure to keep this account open until June 30 to allow for the transaction. If you are not enrolled in direct deposit, you will receive any final student account refund via check to the home address on file with the College. Please deposit this check in a timely manner.
All 2026 graduates are invited to a Graduate Farewell Lunch (held in the Inner Quad of MAP) on Friday, May 8 beginning at noon. This will be a casual lunch, and you will be joined by the Board of Trustees, Alumni Council and Faculty as they congratulate you on your graduation! More information will be forthcoming soon. This event is sponsored by the Office of the President, Grove City College Alumni Association and the Office of Student Life and Learning.
For your convenience, a complete list of area hotels can be found here. Please do not forget to make your reservation early.
Please contact Mrs. Diana King at studentlife@gcc.edu or by stopping by the Office of Student Life & Learning should you have questions.