Columbus Graduation Checklist
Central Community College will host the 2024 Columbus Campus spring commencement ceremony on Friday, May 10, at 7 p.m. in the Raider Fieldhouse, 4500 63rd Street, Columbus, Neb. This ceremony honors our students who are earning a diploma or degree in May or summer 2024.
Read these important dates, and complete the following checklist:
- Right away: Review all material in this checklist and the Important graduation information that follows. Some college student groups require additional steps to ensure appropriate recognition during the ceremony. Continue checking your CCC email for additional graduation announcements.
- By Wednesday, April 24: RSVP above to confirm if you will or will not attend the 2024 graduation day events on Friday, May 10. Your response is required.
- Thursday, April 25: As a graduate, you are invited to the graduate appreciation reception following the student recognition ceremony that begins at 3:30 p.m. The reception will take place in the Columbus Community Hospital Center for Science and Technology and begin immediately after the student recognition ceremony or around 4:30 p.m. The reception is paid for by the CCC Foundation.
- By Thursday, May 9: Purchase your graduation regalia at the Columbus Campus bookstore. The cost for your gown (forest green), cap, and tassel, will be $41 plus tax. Please note, gowns, caps and tassels may note be available until April 9. Also, the bookstore will provide you with 10 free graduation invitations for you to give to your family and friends. Call the Columbus Campus bookstore for more information, 402 562-1251.
- Friday, May 10: Attend the 2024 spring commencement ceremony. The agenda for the day is as follows:
- All graduates will meet in the Fine Arts Theater NO LATER than 5:00 p.m. for rehearsal and to form the procession. Check in begins at 4:45 p.m.
- Arrive with your cap, gown and tassel on.
- Doors for the Raider Fieldhouse will open for guests and general audience at 6:15 p.m. Please let your guests know.
- The commencement ceremony begins in the Raider Fieldhouse at 7 p.m. The ceremony will last approximately one hour, ending around 8 p.m.
- All graduates, family and friends are invited to a reception immediately following the ceremony.
Other Important Graduation Information
Cap and Gown
Your hunter green cap, tassel, and gown can be purchased through the Follett bookstore on the Columbus Campus. The total cost is $41 plus tax. The cost of each item is:
- Gown: 28.50, plus tax
- Cap: $7.25, plus tax
- Tassel: $5.25, plus tax
The cap, gown, and tassel can be picked up at the time of purchase. The bookstore is generally open Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. If you have additional questions, or are unable to pick up your cap, tassel, and gown, contact the Follett bookstore at 402-562-1251 or 0255mgr@follett.com. (Note: there will be a $9.99 shipping fee if the items are mailed to you.)
Graduation Invitation
The Columbus bookstore will also provide each graduate with ten free graduation invitations to distribute to your family and friends. Your guests are not required to bring the invitations to the ceremony.
Live Stream
Friends and family who are unable to physically attend are invited to view the commencement ceremony via live stream on the Central Community College graduation page.
High Academic Achievement
Honor medallions will be awarded during the ceremony to those students earning a degree (AAS, AA, AS, ADN) and who have attained a cumulative grade point average of 3.75 or above. Eligibility is based on the student's cumulative GPA from all previous final grades after the fall semester and prior to the current semester. Courses taken during the current semester are not used in determining honors for commencement). Honor medallions are not awarded to students earning a diploma only. Students must participate in the ceremony to receive a medallion. You should confirm your eligibility for this honor by contacting Ronda Ryan by May 3 at 402-562-1278 or rryan@volamdolong.com.
Phi Theta Kappa
One of the benefits of Phi Theta Kappa membership is being recognized for academic excellence at the annual college commencement ceremonies held at the end of each spring semester. Members in good standing may call attention to their academic success by wearing Phi Theta Kappa graduation regalia with their caps and gowns.
All active PTK members are given a Phi Theta Kappa tassel, cord and stole to wear at commencement. Please check with your advisor for your regalia. Additional regalia is available through the PTK online store at the member's expense.
SALUTE Honor Society
Graduates who are inducted members of the SALUTE Honor Society will be able to wear a SALUTE honors stole. Email VMRC@volamdolong.com or call the VMRC at 308-398-7811 for more information on how to get your SALUTE honors stole.
Veterans and Military Members Honor Cord
As a token of CCC’s appreciation of service and dedication, all graduating Veterans and current service members will be given a red, white and blue Veteran’s appreciation honor cord to wear with their graduation regalia. Complete the form below to register for an honor cord, email VMRC@volamdolong.com or call the VMRC at 308-398-7811 for further information.
Register for the Veterans and Military Graduation Honor Cord
Photography
Iris Photography Studio will be taking pictures at the graduation ceremony as each graduate receives their degree or diploma. Photographs will be available for purchase online via digital download or to be mailed directly from Iris Photography. The CCC Foundation alumni relations office will mail one complimentary 4x6 photograph to your current address on file with the registrar’s office. Allow up to four weeks for your complimentary photograph to be mailed and make sure your address on file is current.
Below is the link to the graduation albums. It is the same link for all campus locations, with a separate group for each. To access photos, you need to enter your e-mail address. Allow 2-3 days after your commencement ceremony for photos to be available.
Contact Cheri Beda, Alumni Director with any questions at cheribeda@volamdolong.com or 402-460-2157
Degrees and Diplomas
Do not be alarmed when you open your degree folder at graduation and find it empty! Final grades are due several days after the ceremony; thus, your final academic credit check will take place after that. If you are completing your requirements in May, you can expect your degree and/or diploma in the mail by the end of June. If you are a summer graduate, you can look for your degree and/or diploma at the beginning of September.
*Please note: If you have an outstanding balance with the student accounts office, you will not have access to your transcript and your degree will not be mailed to you until all remaining bills are paid. Contact the student accounts office to take care of any outstanding balances.
Disability Services
For graduation accessibility needs, contact CoLynn Paprocki at 402-562-1240 or colynnpaprocki@volamdolong.com.
Wheelchair accessible guest seating is available upon request by contacting Jennifer Wurdeman at 402-562-1241 or jewurdeman@volamdolong.com. These requests should be received by Friday, May 3.
Graduation Slide Show
Each year Central Community College creates a video slideshow to celebrate your time at CCC with a compilation of graduates’ photos. We invite you to submit your own college experience photos to be included. Pictures can include friends, family, baby photos, as well as events participated in on and off campus. The video will be on display for you and your fellow graduates during pre-commencement activities. The deadline for pictures to be included is April 26, 2024. Photos can be attached to your RSVP or you can email them to Heidi Wilshusen at hwilshusen@volamdolong.com. All photos submitted must be approved by CCC. Submission of photos serves as permission to be used for slideshow purpose only.
Questions about the Ceremony?
Contact
Ronda Ryan
402-562-1278
rryan@volamdolong.com