WDTC Commencement
Saturday, May 16, 2026
10:00 a.m.
The Monument Summit Arena
Printable PDF
🎓 The graduation application is NOW OPEN.
🎓 Graduation eligibility requirements can be found on page 14 of the WDTC Student Handbook.
🎓 Western Dakota Technical College will order all regalia at no additional cost to you.
🎓 Pick up your cap, gown, tassel, and hood* on May 7, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or May 8, 2026, between 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.** in The Hub at WDTC. The WDT Foundation will also be present to provide graduates with a gift to welcome you as new alumni.
🎓 Honor cords will be distributed by the Registrar's Office the morning of commencement to those who qualify. WDTC awards honors to graduates earning a diploma or an Associate of Applied Science degree who earn a certain cumulative grade point average. See Graduation Honors on page 15 of your WDTC Student Handbook for qualifications. (Note: Graduates earning a certificate do not qualify for honors.)
*Hoods are only worn by graduates earning an Associate of Applied Science degree.
**If you cannot pick up your regalia during the designated times, you may pick up your regalia in Enrollment Services from May 11 through May 15 during normal business hours. If none of those times work for you, the Registrar's Office will have your regalia at The Monument Summit Arena the morning of graduation.
🎓 Graduation rehearsal will take place at 3 p.m. Friday, May 15, 2026, at The Monument in the Summit Arena, 444 Mt. Rushmore Rd. N., Rapid City, SD 57701. Click here to view the map.
🎓 Rehearsal generally takes one hour.
🎓 Please be on time as we will walk you through the ceremony and make last-minute announcements.
🎓 The rehearsal relieves a lot of anxiety for graduates and gives us an opportunity to make any necessary seating adjustments.
Location
The Monument Summit Arena, 444 Mt. Rushmore Road N., Rapid City, SD 57701 Click here to view the location and parking map.
Key Times
🎓 Graduates must report by 9:00 a.m. Saturday, May 16, 2026, to The Monument - Summit Arena staging area to line up for the graduation ceremony. Doors open at 8:30 a.m.
🎓 The doors will open at 9:15 a.m. for friends and family to be seated in the arena. (This is a non-ticketed event and parking is free.)
🎓 Commencement begins at 10:00 a.m. and generally lasts about 2 hours.
Proper Commencement Regalia
🎓 Students are allowed to wear the cap, gown, tassel, hood, and cords distributed by WDTC.
🎓 Students are allowed to decorate the top of their cap appropriately. Do NOT add any other items to your regalia as you will be required to remove the items before the processional starts, and WDTC is not responsible for the items.
🎓 Your tassel hangs from the right side of your cap before and during the ceremony. Toward the end of the ceremony, you will be instructed to move your tassel from the right side of your cap to the left side of your cap.
Personal Belongings
🎓 Bring as little as possible. You will not be allowed to carry visible personal items.
🎓 There is not a place to store items behind stage, and items left behind stage during the ceremony will not be secured.
Professional Photography
🎓 Johnny Sundby Photography, a professional photographer, will take an individual photo of each graduate at the graduation ceremony after you walk off the stage.
🎓 Individual photos will be available to purchase directly from the photographer.
🎓 Photo order forms will be distributed when you pick up your cap, gown, and tassel. The order form will be turned into Johnny Sundby Photography at the Commencement Ceremony. Additional photo order forms will be available at the Commencement Ceremony, or you can access and print an order form at Sundby Photography Order Form.
Livestream
🎓 Livestream will be available. Please check back for details and updates as the event gets closer.
Diplomas
🎓 You will receive your diploma cover during the commencement ceremony.
🎓 Diplomas will be mailed post-ceremony to the address WDTC has on file unless you provide a different address on your graduation application.
🎓 Diplomas will be mailed to Spring graduates by June 5, 2026, and within three weeks of completion to Summer graduates.
🎓 If you want to have your diploma mailed to a different address than on your graduation application, please contact the Registrar’s Office at 605-718-2568.
🎓 As you begin your job search, keep in mind that the Career Services at WDTC will assist with resumes, cover letters, and practice interviews.
🎓 As we get closer to the big day, WDTC wants to hear about your success! Please take time to give us your feedback so we can continue to support you in your future endeavors.
Your completion of both is very important, and we thank you in advance.
🎓 You may contact Career Services at Career.Services@wdt.edu with any questions.
Questions may be directed to graduation@wdt.edu.