Commencement Ceremony

Congratulations on your academic achievement!

You have come to the right place as you look at the necessary steps to complete and participate in the 2022 Commencement Ceremony! Make sure you read all this information thoroughly and follow each of the steps noted below.

As the date nears, additional information about the event will be posted to this website and sent by email to graduates who have registered their attendance.

Steps to Complete and Celebrate

Step 1: Verify Your Transcript

In order to receive your certificate or degree you must complete a Degree/Certificate Application. This step is crucial as it communicates with our credentials evaluator that GHC needs to go through your transcripts and verify that we can award you your degree or certificate.

Students can complete this Degree/Certificate Application after registering for the last quarter they will attend before completing their program or certificate. Completing your Graduation Award Application does not register you to participate in the commencement ceremony, please proceed to Step 2 to register for the celebration.

The deadline to submit a transcript review request to our credentials evaluator and still be eligible to be included in the ceremony program is Sunday, May 15, 2022. The deadline to submit a transcript review request to our credentials evaluator and still be eligible to be included in the ceremony program was Sunday, May 15, 2022. Students can still register to attend and participate in the ceremony though your name may be excluded from the printed program as it may have already gone to print.

Step 2: Register for the Ceremony

The 2022 Commencement Ceremony will be on Wednesday, June 22 at Olympic Stadium in Hoquiam, Washington at 7:00p.

Ceremony Registration

To ensure that your name is included in the official ceremony program, we ask that graduates register by May 15, 2022.

What happens if I register for the ceremony after the deadline?
Students that miss the May 15 deadline can still register and participate in the ceremony, though their name may be excluded from the printed program as it has already gone to print.

If I complete my degree this summer, can I participate in the ceremony ?
Students who will complete a degree in summer quarter are eligible to participate in the spring commencement ceremony as long as 1) they have no outstanding holds on their account, and 2) have registered for summer quarter classes.

If I am only completing a certificate, can I participate in the ceremony this spring?
No. Only degree-seeking students are eligible to participate in the annual ceremony.

Commencement Ceremony Details

This year’s 2022 Commencement Ceremony will take place at the Historic Olympic Stadium in Hoquiam on Wednesday, June 22 at 7:00 pm. The stadium is located at 2811 Cherry Street, Hoquiam, Washington 98550.

Caps & gowns along with a gift bag for all graduates can be picked up in the HUB on Friday, June 17 from 8:30-4:00. If you are unable to pick up your items during the scheduled time, you may pick up the items anytime after that date in the office of the Vice President for Student Services

Olympic Stadium Details

No admission fee
Gates open at 5:30 pm

As the date nears, additional information will be shared about any stadium specific guidelines attendees will need to follow (i.e. prohibited/permitted items and security requirements).

Arrival Times

Graduates should arrive to Olympic Stadium no later than 6:15 pm on June 22. The stadium gates will open at 5:30 pm. A group photo will be taken at 6:30.

Olympic Stadium Parking

There is an asphalt parking area located on site, just west of the stadium proper.
There will be shuttles provided back/forth from the PUD parking lot and stadium beginning at 5:30pm until 7:00pm before the ceremony and resuming immediately after the ceremony.
PUD parking lot, located at 2720 Sumner Ave, Aberdeen, WA 98520.
There is no cost to park at the stadium or PUD parking lot.

Graduates - Arrival Instructions

Please arrive by 6:15 pm; doors to stadium/locker room will open at 5:15pm
Tickets are not required for guests to attend the ceremony
The Graduate Entrance is located on the Main Entrance to the stadium located on Cherry St., next to the parking lot located on the south side of the stadium.
Follow the signs to the graduate check-in where you will receive your name card, which will include your name, degree and other honors being recognized
At 6:20p we will gather all graduates on the baseball field to get a group photo and then line you up for the processional into the ceremony.
Graduates may line up in any order, unless it has been communicated to you in advance of the ceremony about lining up in a specific order
Please pay attention to the ushers, who will assist you getting to your seats (processional) and existing your seats post-ceremony (recessional)

Employees - Arrival Instructions

Please arrive by 6:30 pm; doors to stadium and locker room will open at 5:15pm
Employees should use the Locker Room Entrance located on Cherry St. and the south side of stadium.
If you are presenting an award, or diploma (to a family member), please arrange to be in the first row by contacting either Diane Muir or Brenda Rolfe-Maloney who are assisting with employee event seating.
Employees will process into the ceremony after students are seated. For the recessional, line leaders will direct employees to form two lines so employees can congratulate graduates as they exit the venue.
After the ceremony, please return your regalia to the boxes in the locker room.

Cap & Gown

All students who register to attend the commencement ceremony will receive a complimentary cap, gown and tassel. Graduates should plan to pick up their cap and gown on the following dates and locations:

June 16, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm at the Riverview Center (Raymond)
June 17, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm in the HUB-Commons Area (Aberdeen)
June 21, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm in the HUB-Welcome Center (Aberdeen)
June 21, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm at the Riverview Center (Raymond)
June 22, 8:30 am - 3:00 pm in the HUB - Welcome Center (Aberdeen)

Graduates who are unable to pick up their cap, gown and tassel before the ceremony will be able to pick-up their items at the graduate check-in on the day of the event.

Questions should directed to the Office of the Vice President at 360-538-4066 or vpssoffice@ghc.edu. Pacific County students who have additional questions about picking up in Raymond, please email kent.smaciarz@ghc.edu or call 360-538-4023.

COVID-19 Safety Protocols

Masks are optional.

Register to Attend

Graduates can register to participate in the commencement ceremony. To ensure that your name is included in the official graduation program, we ask that graduates register by May 15, 2022. Students that miss the May 15 deadline can still register and participate in the ceremony, though your name may be excluded from the printed program as it has already gone to print.

Event Photography

Photography of the event will be provided by Moyer Media. Photos of you receiving your diploma will be available online a few days after the ceremony on June 22.

Previous Ceremonies

Here are the web links to recent ceremonies and event programs the college has hosted:

Contact Us

Any questions about this year’s commencement ceremony should be directed to the Office of the Vice President by contacting 360-538-4066 or vpssoffce@ghc.edu.