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Graduation Information

2026 Graduation – General Information

Vance-Granville Community College’s spring 2026 commencement exercises will be split into two evening ceremonies: Thursday, May 14, and Friday, May 15. Graduates are assigned a date based upon their program of study.

To participate in a ceremony, Spring 2026 graduates should complete the Graduation Application by Friday, April 3, 2026.

Summer 2026 graduates that are missing fewer than 9 credit hours, should complete the Graduation Application by May 1, 2026.

Jump to:

Graduation Requirements (new page) | Guest and Ticket Information (New Page) | Cap & Gown Order Deadlines | Phi Theta Kappa Regalia | Mandatory Graduation Information Sessions | Ceremony Location | Ceremony One Details | Ceremony Two Details | Commencement Photography | Diploma Distribution

Preparing for Graduation

Applying For Graduation

All students who have completed their Associate Degree or Diploma requirements by December 2025, May 2026 or are registered to complete by July 2026 are eligible to be in the ceremony.

Students who plan to graduate in Summer 2026 and are missing fewer than 9 credit hours, must submit a Summer graduation application by May 1, 2026.

All curriculum graduates are required to apply for graduation online through myVGCC (Click on the Graduation Overview title.) Students will be charged the $20 graduation fee for each degree earned once the application is submitted. This fee may be paid in person at the Business Office or through myVGCC once your application is submitted.

Graduates should confirm with their advisor or check the Progress Tab in their myVGCC account (Click on the Student Planning title) that they are eligible to graduate before submitting the application online. Graduates should also confirm that their current address is on file with the college before submitting their graduation application by looking at their User Profile (under User Options menu in myVGCC.)

A preliminary check of the graduation application will then be completed by the Registrar’s Office. Please note that final graduation is contingent upon successful completion of all courses required to meet the diploma or degree requirements, a final cumulative GPA of 2.000 or higher and no outstanding debts to the VGCC Business Office. The final graduation transcript review is done as soon as all required grades are received from the faculty. Any student who does not meet final graduation criteria will not be allowed to participate in graduation.

Graduates with questions regarding eligibility for graduation should contact the Registrar’s office at [email protected].

Cap & Gown Order Deadlines

December 2025, May 2026 & July 2026 Graduates: You must apply and order your cap and gown by April 3, 2026 to participate and have your name included in the program for the graduation ceremony. Order your cap & gown early at:  Order Your Cap and Gown – College Grad

All graduation regalia will be mailed directly to students. Multiple purchase options are available, but only the cap, gown and tassel set for approximately $48.00 is required for the ceremony. The VGCC bookstore will not have any graduation items for sale. Students must order in advance as shipping time is 2-3 weeks. Ordering after the April 4th deadline will result in significant additional shipping costs, so please order early!

Phi Theta Kappa Regalia:

Phi Theta Kappa regalia should be ordered directly from the PTK website at PTK Store (ptk.org) or by calling 1-800-946-9996. Students are asked to purchase only the gold key honors stole. Students must have their membership numbers available when ordering.

Graduation Information Sessions

Want to know more about important graduation details and the ticket process?  Graduates are invited to attend one mandatory in-person Graduation Information session listed below! Attendance is only required if an individual plans to participate in the Commencement exercise.

All sessions are located at the Henderson Campus and cover the same topics:  Ticket information, ceremony dates, dress, arrival times, graduate line-up location and pre-ceremony rehearsal, and information for guests including parking and accessibility.

Attendance to one session is mandatory for participants. Pre-registration is not required. 

  • Wednesday, April 8 at 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Civic Center, Building 9
  • Thursday, April 9 at 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm – Civic Center, Building 9
  • Tuesday, April 14 at 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Civic Center, Building
  • Thursday, April 16 at 11:00 am – 1:00 pm – Small Auditorium, Building 2
  • Saturday, April 18 at 10:00 am – 12:00 pm – Small Auditorium, Building 2

Ceremony Location

This year’s commencement ceremonies will take place at McGregor Hall, located at 201 Breckenridge Street in Henderson, North Carolina. Visit the venue’s website for driving directions and free parking locations.

Please note that traffic around the area may be heavy a few hours before, during and after the graduation ceremonies. It is recommended that both graduates and guests leave ample time to navigate traffic and find a parking space before ceremony activities begin.

For questions, please email [email protected].

Ceremony 1 – Thursday, May 14

When: Thursday, May 14, 2026 – Ceremony begins at 7:00pm; 6:00pm Doors Open for Guests.

Graduates should plan to arrive to their designated ceremony no later than 5:00pm for a short rehearsal in McGregor Hall.

Guests are required to have tickets for entry. Refer to our Guests and Tickets Page.

For questions, please email [email protected].

Participating Programs

  • Adult Basic Education
  • Adult High School Diploma
  • High School Equivalency (GED/HISET)

Business, Applied Technology and Public Services

  • Accounting and Finance
  • Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Technology
  • Automotive Systems Technology
  • Business Administration
  • Carpentry
  • Culinary Arts
  • Cosmetology
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Electrical Systems Technology
  • Electronics Engineering Technology
  • Infant/Toddler Care
  • Information Technology
  • Mechatronics Engineering Technology
  • Medical Office Administration
  • Office Administration
  • Paralegal Technology
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Welding Technology

Health Sciences

  • Radiography
  • Associate Degree Nursing
  • Associate Degree Nursing RIBN
  • Health and Human Services Technology
  • Health and Human Services Technology: Gerontology
  • Health and Human Services Technology: Substance Abuse
  • Histotechnology
  • Medical Assisting
  • Pharmacy Technology
  • Practical Nursing

Ceremony 2 – Friday, May 15

When: Friday, May 15, 2026 – Ceremony begins at 7:00pm; 6:00pm Doors Open for Guests

Graduates should plan to arrive to their designated ceremony no later than 5:00pm for a short rehearsal in McGregor Hall.

Guests are required to have tickets for entry. Refer to our Guests and Tickets Page.

For questions, please email [email protected].

Participating Programs

Arts and Sciences

  • Associate in Arts
  • Associate in Arts: Teacher Preparation
  • Associate in Fine Arts: Visual Arts
  • Associate in General Education
  • Associate in General Education: General Science
  • Associate in Science
  • Associate in Science: Teacher Preparation
  • Biotechnology
  • Criminal Justice
  • Public Safety Administration

Commencement Photography

GradImages® will be photographing all graduates as they cross the stage at graduation. Because of the limited spacing, we ask that the area below the stage be used solely for the photographer. Visit the GradImages® website at  GradImages.com , and click on  Pre-Event Email Registration . After graduation, order online at  www.gradimages.com  or call  (800) 261-2576 .

Diploma Distribution

Printed diplomas are not distributed during commencement; however, they will be available for pick-up at the Main Campus in Henderson or mailed the week after the ceremony. See below for more information.

  • December 2025 Graduates: Diplomas were mailed in mid-January 2026.
  • May 2026 Graduates: Diplomas can be picked up in person May 19th- 21st from 8:30am -4:30pm. Those not picked up will be mailed the week of May 25th.
  • July 2026 Graduates: Diplomas will be mailed the week of August 3rd -8th.

Diplomas for Early College graduates will be distributed by the Early College High Schools.

For those who miss the deadline, the late application period to order your diploma (after the graduation ceremony) will be from May 18th to July 17th, 2026.

Important Ceremonial Dates

  • VGCC’s May 2025 Graduation Ceremony will be held on Friday, May 16, 2025 at 6 PM
  • Graduation Rehearsal will be held Thursday, May 15th at 11 AM at the Gazebo on the Main Campus in Henderson. This Is Mandatory.
  • The Spring 2025 graduation application will close on April 4, 2025.

The late application period will be from May 19 to July 18, for late Spring and Summer graduates who are not participating in the ceremony.  The application for graduation is accessed through myVGCC during the application period.

Note: If the May 16th ceremony is postponed due to inclement weather, the ceremony will move to Saturday May 17th and will take place in the Civic Center in two separate groups at 10 AM and 1 PM.  Detailed information will be provided to graduates in advance if the May 16th ceremony is postponed.  If the ceremony is moved to the Civic Center, each graduate will receive three guest tickets only. 

Jump to:

Graduation Requirements (new page) | Cap & Gown Order Deadlines | Phi Theta Kappa Regalia | Commencement Photography | Day of the Ceremony | Diploma Distribution

Applying For Graduation

All students who have completed their Associate Degree or Diploma requirements by December 2024, May 2025 or are registered to complete by July 2025 are eligible to be in the ceremony.

All curriculum graduates are required to apply for graduation online through myVGCC (Click on the Graduation Overview title.) Students will be charged the $20 graduation fee for each degree earned once the application is submitted. This fee may be paid in person at the Business Office or through myVGCC once your application is submitted.

Graduates should confirm with their advisor or check the Progress Tab in their myVGCC account (Click on the Student Planning title) that they are eligible to graduate before submitting the application online. Graduates should also confirm that their current address is on file with the college before submitting their graduation application by looking at their User Profile (under User Options menu in myVGCC.)

A preliminary check of the graduation application will then be completed by the Registrar’s Office. Please note that final graduation is contingent upon successful completion of all courses required to meet the diploma or degree requirements, a final cumulative GPA of 2.000 or higher and no outstanding debts to the VGCC Business Office. The final graduation transcript review is done as soon as all required grades are received from the faculty. Any student who does not meet final graduation criteria will not be allowed to participate in graduation.

Graduates with questions regarding eligibility for graduation should contact the Registrar’s office at [email protected].

Cap & Gown Order Deadlines

December 2024, May 2025 & July 2025 Graduates: You must apply and order your cap and gown by April 4, 2025 to participate and have your name included in the program for the graduation ceremony. Order your cap & gown early at:  Order Your Cap and Gown – College Grad

All graduation regalia will be mailed directly to students. Multiple purchase options are available, but only the cap, gown and tassel set for approximately $48.00 is required for the ceremony. The VGCC bookstore will not have any graduation items for sale. Students must order in advance as shipping time is 2-3 weeks. Ordering after the April 4th deadline will result in significant additional shipping costs, so please order early!

Phi Theta Kappa Regalia:

Phi Theta Kappa regalia should be ordered directly from the PTK website at PTK Store (ptk.org) or by calling 1-800-946-9996. Students are asked to purchase only the gold key honors stole. Students must have their membership numbers available when ordering.

Commencement Photography

GradImages® will be photographing all graduates as they cross the stage at graduation. Because of the limited spacing, we ask that the area below the stage be used solely for the photographer. Visit the GradImages® website at  GradImages.com , and click on  Pre-Event Email Registration . After graduation, order online at  www.gradimages.com  or call  (800) 261-2576 .

Day of the Ceremony – What to Expect

The May 2025 Graduation Ceremony is scheduled for Friday, May 16, 2025 at the Main Campus in Henderson. The ceremony begins promptly at 6:00 pm. Graduates must report to the second floor of Building 7 by 4:45 pm to line up in marching order.

Candidates for an associate degree or diploma are recognized at the May graduation ceremony (certificate completions are not recognized at graduation.) This includes fall, spring and anticipated summer graduates.

The commencement ceremony is held outside in front of the gazebo and is free and open to the public. No admission tickets are required; however, seating is limited and is available on a first come, first serve basis. Guests are welcomed to bring lawn chairs for seating in the grassy area around the gazebo.

Note: If the May 16th ceremony is postponed due to inclement weather, the ceremony will move to Saturday May 17th and will take place in the Civic Center in two separate groups at 10 AM and 1 PM.  Detailed information will be provided to graduates in advance if the May 11th ceremony is postponed.  If the ceremony is moved to the Civic Center, each graduate will receive three guest tickets only. 

Please note that traffic around the Main Campus is heavy a few hours before, during and after the graduation ceremony. It is recommended that both graduates and guests leave ample time to navigate traffic and find a parking space before ceremony activities begin.

A designated area will be provided for guests with disabilities. Students with disabilities are asked to contact Cathy Davis, Counselor, at [email protected], if special arrangements are needed.

Sign language services are provided during the ceremony for students and guests who are hearing impaired.

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