Commencement
At the conclusion of the spring semester, Butte College hosts a commencement ceremony for the year's graduates and graduate candidates.
Our ceremony for the 2025-26 academic year will be held on the football field at the John B. Cowan Sports Complex at Butte College on Friday, May 29, at 7:00 p.m.
Register to Participate
To register for commencement, you must complete an application for graduation no later than the dates below.
- Spring 2026: April 13, 2026
- Summer 2026: April 13, 2026 *To be eligible to participate in Commencement 2026.
Students who graduated in Summer 2025, Fall 2025, and Winter 2026, and graduate candidates who have an approved graduation application on file for Spring 2026 or Summer 2026, must register to participate in commencement.
Registration will open in mid-Spring. Please check your Butte Student Email account for a link to register. The deadline to RSVP for Commencement is May 18, 2026.
Please email commencement@butte.edu if you have questions.
Day-of Information
Arrival Times
Graduates and graduate candidates should arrive in their caps and gowns and check in between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 29. Check-in tables will be located at the entrance to the John B. Cowan Sports Complex/Football Field. Everyone participating in the ceremony must check in.
It is recommended that guests arrive by 6:15 p.m. in order to help reduce traffic congestion. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis in the bleachers on both sides of the football field. Guests may also sit on the hillside on either side of the bleachers.
Parking and Map
Guest parking is available in public parking lots 1, 2 (Welding & Manufacturing Building parking lot), and 3. Accessible parking closest to the football field is located in public parking lot 1.
Public parking lot 4 is the overflow parking area.
Accessibility & Accommodations
Graduates/graduate candidates who need accommodations, including mobility assistance, should indicate so when they register to participate in commencement. If you need to provide additional information or have questions/concerns about event accessibility, please email commencement@butte.edu.
An American Sign Language interpreter will be on the stage for the ceremony. Guests may access the streaming closed caption service for commencement at: LINK COMING SOON. The livestream video with captions will be available at: butte.edu/stream/.
Accessible parking closest to the football field is located in public parking lot 1.
Accessible seating for guests will be available on both sides of the stadium on the track. One person may accompany a guest who requires accessible seating.
If you have questions or concerns about event accessibility, please email commencemement@butte.edu.
Regalia & Attire
Ordering Caps and Gowns
Student regalia (gowns, caps, and tassels) is mandatory for all students who wish to participate in the commencement ceremony. Regalia will be available for purchase starting in April from the Butte College Bookstore. Purchases can be made in-store or online. Shipping is available for an additional cost.
- If you are an EOPS graduate or graduate candidate and wish to order student regalia, please contact the EOPS office at eops@butte.edu to place your order.
- If you are an Inspiring Scholars graduate or graduate candidate and wish to order student regalia, please contact Vance Edwards at EdwardsVa@Butte.edu to place your order.
- If you are a Rising Scholars graduate or graduate candidate and wish to order student regalia, please contact Jocelyn Thorp at thorpjo@butte.edu to place your order.
General Regalia and Attire Information:
- Traditionally, tassels are worn on the right side of the cap during a commencement ceremony.
- Embellishing commencement attire in personally significant ways, such as wearing sashes that represent one’s identity or cultural heritage, is welcome.
- Caps may be decorated; all decorations must be appropriate and respectful of the occasion.
- Because the processional and ceremony will be on the football field, everyone should be cautious about footwear.
Stoles and Chords
- Phi Theta Kappa Honors Stoles:
- Available for purchase online through the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Shop. Please remember to place your online order early to allow time for shipping. If you are also an EOPS student, please contact the office at EOPS@Butte.edu to place your order.
- Veterans Stoles:
- If you are a Student Veteran graduate or graduate candidate and wish to order student regalia, please contact Troy Davenport at davenporttr@butte.edu to place your order at no cost.
- Associated Students Executive Board Officers' cords:
- Please contact the Student Life Office in CC-145 for more information.
- International Students Stoles:
- Please contact Rachel Wood at woodra@butte.edu for more information.
- Lavender Grad Stoles:
- Please contact sheehyka@butte.edu for more information.
- NSNA/CNSA Cords:
- Please contact Lynda Gomes at gomesly@butte.edu for more information.
- Transfer Academy Stoles:
- Please contact Transfer Counseling at transfercounseling@butte.edu for more information.
- TRIO SSS Stoles:
- Please contact Yolanda Salazar-Garcia at salazargarciayo@butte.edu for more information.
- California State University Transfer Student Cords:
- Please contact Transfer Counseling at transfercounseling@butte.edu for more information.
- University of California Transfer Student Cords:
- Please contact Transfer Counseling at transfercounseling@butte.edu for more information.
- First-Generation Students Cords:
- Please contact Tray Robinson at firstgen@butte.edu for more information.
- Disability Pride Stoles:
- Please contact DSPS@Butte.edu for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, photographers from GradImages will take photos of graduates before they cross the stage and again when they receive their scrolls from the college president. GradImages will contact you about purchasing your photos after commencement. If you register before the start date, you can receive a coupon for 20% off purchases of $50 or more.
Yes, Butte College's UndocuCenter will be selling flowers just outside the stadium entrance at Commencement.
Past Ceremonies
Relive the excitement of your Butte College commencement!
The 2025 Commencement
The 2024 Commencement
The 2023 Commencement
The 2022 Commencement
