Commencement Ceremony Information
General Event Details
Graduate Arrival Time
Student should be on campus by 11:45 a.m. wearing caps and gowns.
Ceremony Length
Past ceremonies have lasted between 1.5 and 2 hours.
Ticketing
HMC does not require tickets for guests to attend the ceremony.
Regalia
Graduate Cap and Gown Collection
Students may pick up their regalia during Cap & Gown Day on April 30 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Platt Patio.
Cap and Gown Cost
The cost of caps and gowns is covered by the $55 Cap and Gown fee, which is charged through Student Accounts.
Personal Belongings Storage
There is no place to store personal belongings during the ceremony.
Guest Information
Parking
Guests may park wherever is convenient, please note that 10th St and the McAllister Parking lot will be closed for parking as it will be used for accessible drop off.
There will not be a shuttle service available.
Accessibility at the Ceremony
Accessible seating will be located on the northeast side of the tent near the stage. Signs will guide you to the designated area, and staff will be available to assist as needed. Accessible seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each guest requiring accessible seating is allowed one companion.
To request accommodations for any guests who have accessibility needs, please complete the Commencement 2025 ADA Request Form no later than May 2nd, 2025.
Accessible Parking
Accessible drop-off is available at the McAllister Parking Lot from Columbia Ave and 10th Street. See number 255 on the Map of the Claremont College. We will have someone with a Harvey Mudd black polo shirt directing guests from the parking lot to the HMC Commencement tent.
Livestream
There will be a livestream available for guests who are not able to attend in person.
Guest Arrival Time
The tent will be open for guest seating one hour before the ceremony.
Food Before Ceremony
A Commencement Brunch will be available in the main dining hall from 9:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. before the ceremony. The door price for brunch is $19.25 per guest.
Refreshments at Commencement Site
Water will be available for guests at the ceremony site.
Purchase of Leis
Leis can be purchased through Sherwood Florist. They can be ordered and paid for directly through their website and picked up the day of Commencement at the commencement tent.
Loud Noise Makers and Balloons
We ask that guests refrain from bringing balloons or other items that might obstruct the pathways or other guests’ view of the stage. Please no noise-makers as it makes it very difficult to hear the next student’s name called.
Pets
Guests are kindly asked not to bring pets to the outdoor graduation ceremony. Service animals are welcome. We appreciate your cooperation.
Ceremony Logistics
Receiving Diplomas
Graduates will receive their actual diploma at the ceremony as they walk across the stage.
Replacement Diplomas
If you need to order a replacement diploma, please fill out the Replacement Diploma Order Form (PDF). Replacement diplomas cost $30 each (checks only) and processing time is approximately 4–6 weeks. You may submit the Replacement Diploma Order Form via mail or in person, along with the check, to the Office of the Registrar, 301 Platt Blvd. Claremont, CA 91711.
Photography
GradImages, a professional photography studio, will take photos of all graduates as they ascend the stage and receive their diplomas. The company will make the photographs available to graduates in the days following the ceremony. For this reason, and for the safety of the graduates and all attendees, we ask guests to remain in their seats during the ceremony. Please do not approach the stage to take your own photos. There will be ample opportunity before and after the ceremony to take photos with the graduates on campus.
Student Position in Procession of Conferring of Degrees
For the most part, our students will be called up in alphabetical order by last name to receive their diplomas. However, there may be slight variations in the order if a student is speaking or participating in the program.
Post-ceremony Reception
Reception Location
The reception will be held back on campus immediately following the ceremony at the R. Michael Shanahan Center for Teaching and Learning.
Reception Length and Food Options
The reception doesn’t have a set end time but typically we start to see families leaving for dinner around 5 p.m. We plan to serve small sandwiches, fruit, vegetables, assorted snacks, fruit bars, ice cream cups, coffee, tea, water, and cookies (subject to minor changes). Everything is grab-and-go style in the event you just want to grab something to hold you over before dinner.