Commencement Eligibility Requirements

The ceremony is open to students receiving the following, from summer quarter a year prior to the commencement date through summer quarter of the commencement year.

• Applied bachelor's degree
• Associate degree
• Certificate of completion or proficiency
• GED® and adult high school diploma

Students completing any degree or certificate during the fall quarter after the ceremony may participate in that year's ceremony.

To attend the 2019 Commencement ceremony, students must have completed a degree or certificate in Summer 2018, Fall 2018, Winter 2019, Spring 2019 or Summer 2019.

If a student is completing a degree in Fall Quarter 2018, they are not eligible to participate, instead will be eligible to participate in the 2019 Commencement ceremony.

How to Buy a Cap & Gown

Student regalia is a tradition for all commencement ceremonies and shows you have completed a great educational milestone. All graduates intending to be in the ceremony must wear a cap, gown, and tassel. Students may attend the ceremony as an audience member.

• The regalia package is for sale in the college bookstore beginning late April or early May.
• The package price is determined every year and ranges from $35.00 to $45.00.
• The package includes a cap, gown, and tassel.
• The size of the gown is determined by height and weight. Generally speaking the bookstore orders enough stock for a wide choice of sizes. If you need an accommodated size, please contact the bookstore and ask them to order early. You may also work with Student Programs for further assistance.
• Regalia packages are yours to keep. If you would like to donate your cap and gown to Student Programs we will accept it and help another student defray the package cost.

Applied Bachelor's Students

Students receiving a applied bachelors degree will wear black gowns.

Associate and Certificate Students

Students receiving an associates degree or a certificate will wear blue gowns.

How to Receive Academic Honors

Academic honors are a symbol of academic achievement at LWTech. An honor cord is a token consisting of twisted cords with tassels on either end, awarded to our students meeting the following LWTech established eligibility requirements:

• 4.0 Summa Cum Laude (with highest honor, gold and silver cords)
• 3.7 - 3.99 Magna Cum Laude (with great honor, gold cord)
• 3.5 - 3.69 Cum Laude (with praise, silver cord)

How to Receive Your Cord

• Honor cords are free to all eligible students. To pick up your cord, visit Student Programs in East Building, E128 and bring photo ID, after June 3, 2019. Cords will only be physically handed to the student eligible to receive the honor.
• If you qualify for an honor cord after Spring quarter grades are posted, you are eligible to pick up a cord at that time, but not before.
• If you are not able to visit Student Programs, we will accommodate schedules by staying open later, scheduling an appointment or having cords available at the ceremony.

How Honors are Calculated

• Honors are established by the calculation of all college level classes (100 or above), from the beginning of the LWTech transcript through the winter quarter of 2019. 
• Exceptions to this can be made if all spring quarter grades are posted to your transcript.
• Enrollment Services manages all transcript information and all bestowed academic honors are based on information provided from that transcript.
• For programs that begin at one college and end at LWTech, honors will only be bestowed based on the LWTech transcript, not another college.

Announcements

• Commencement announcements are available for purchase through the college bookstore, beginning in early May.
• There are no limits on the amount of announcements each graduate may purchase, so please purchase them as early as possible.

Invitations

• Invitations are available from the college bookstore, beginning in early May.
• Invitations include the college's seal and ceremony information. 

Programs

• Programs outlining the order of events and almost all graduates names will be made available to all students on the day of the ceremony.
• There are a limited number available and not kept from year to year.
• Please keep your commemorative copy provided on the day of the ceremony.

Travel Visa Letters for International Student's Family Members

When international students plan to attend their commencement ceremony, they may ask for a verification letter for their family and friends to apply for travel visas. Letters for visa applications are available from the Director of Student Programs. Please email the Director with the following information:

• Your name
• Full name and correct spelling of visitors
• Country leaving from

Please allow several weeks lead time for the preparation and sending of letters. For questions, please contact Vikki Korsunskaya in Student Programs. If you are unable to attend during business hours please contact us to make an after hours appointment.

Student Disability Seating

Accommodation is the process where we work with you to determine if you need special seating for either hearing impairment or physical limitation like: wheelchair, crutches, or hearing.

LWTech is dedicated to providing accommodation so students may fully participate in its activities; including commencement. If you need accommodation in order to attend the ceremony, please contact Student Programs by calling (425) 739-8314 or emailing our staff.

Hearing Impairment Seating Accommodation

For hearing impaired students and guests, interpreters will be at the ceremony. If you are a hearing impaired student, please contact Student Programs so we may seat you accordingly.

Guest Disability Seating

You may also request disability accommodation for friends and family attending the ceremony. Seats will be reserved for the guest needing disability seating and two attendants. Student Programs will work with you to make the best seating arrangements to fit the needs of the party.

Tickets for disability seating will be required and available June 3 at Student Programs, East building, room E128.

If you are a guest attending the ceremony and need special seating for a wheelchair or other physical impairment please contact our office via email. Please include the following information:

• Family or guest name
• What kind of accommodation they need for their wheelchair, crutches, etc.

Please note, all reserved seating will be available until 12:30 p.m. If guests have not arrived by this time, all pre-arranged reserved seats will be open to all attendees.

Seating Information

All seating is open and not reservable. Only disability seating may be reserved by contacting Student Programs. Seating will be open to all guests at 12:00 p.m. 

Arrival Time and Schedule

Students are expected to arrive at no later than 11:30 a.m. Please note the following:

• You will be required to sign in and ensure all paperwork is completed, before line up begins.
• You will be offered an opportunity to use the on-site photographer to sit for additional photos.
• Please make arrangements for the care of your children, as they are not allowed in the dressing area.
• Note: do not leave any valuables in these rooms during the ceremony.

Photography is being provided by Darel Roa Photography. Students will have various photo options they will need to choose. To schedule a cap and gown portrait, please contact the studio. The portrait sitting feature will be available at Commencement. Other than the graduate portrait sitting, there are no designated photo locations for guests.

Things To Know

• We all want the best photo of our graduate. However, we are required to keep the auditorium safe for all guests. All guests blocking isles when taking photos will be asked to move.  Graduates are not lined in alphabetical order so guests determine when a photo is to be taken. Guests lingering in a spot for a long time will be asked to return to their seat.
• Photographs will be taken of each graduate, and will be available for purchase. Use the photography pre-order form to order prints. Graduates are encouraged to pre-order photos; they have the best prices and fastest delivery. For questions, please call (253) 848-6463.
• All students will receive an email with a link where they may view and order photographs.

Other Things To Know

The ceremony is your celebration of academic success. As a college there are some things we need you and your guests to know so we have a safe and efficient event. Please use information below to assist in your planning efforts.

Alcohol Use

• No drugs or alcohol are allowed at this event. As with all college functions, the college's student conduct code will apply.

Childcare

• Unfortunately, no childcare is provided during the event. Please make arrangements for the care of your children, as they are not allowed in the dressing area.
• Additionally, strollers will not be allowed in the main hall. While convenient, they have are hazardous in the crowded hall.

Guest Limit

• There are no limits on guests. 

Interpreters

• Sign language interpreters are scheduled to interpret throughout the event. If you need seating accommodation to effectively utilize interpreting services, please contact Student Programs at (425) 739-8314.

Lost and Found

• Contact Campus Public Safety. We ask that no valuables be left in dressing rooms during the ceremony as we cannot guarantee the safety of personal property.
• If something is lost, it will be returned to the school and turned into lost and found in the Campus Public Safety office, East Building, E145.

Photography and Media Streaming

• Photography will be taking place at the commencement ceremony. By participating in the commencement ceremony you are agreeing to give Lake Washington Institute of Technology permission to photograph you and use the images for promotional purposes including, but not limited to, web, print, and social media.
• The ceremony will be live streamed. Please check back here for more information on that streaming site.

Parking

• Please check back here for more information about parking at the Center. Updates will be provided throughout spring quarter.

Strollers

• Due to space restrictions and safety issues, strollers are not allowed in the main hall.
• Please make other arrangements for strollers.

Past Speakers

LWTech is proud to host inspiring and motivating speakers for our annual ceremony. Lake Washington seeks speakers who fit our workforce development mission, prepared to acknowledge hard work done by our exceptional students. Please keep posted on our announcements of speakers.