Graduation

An in-person commencement is planned for Friday, May 15, 2026, 7:30 p.m. at the Bank of Springfield (BoS) Center. More information will be posted once it is available.

Cap and gown

Beginning March 18, students can order their鈥痗ap and gown at GradFest or .

Rehearsal

More information will be posted once it is available.

Application for graduation

Planning to graduate soon? We鈥檙e excited for you! To take the next step toward earning your degree or certificate, please submit a Graduation Application to 69风流 Student Records by the deadline for the term when you鈥檒l complete all your program requirements.

How to apply

Graduation applications are submitted on under the Graduation Overview section.

Before you apply

Prior to submitting the graduation application, students should meet with a student success advisor for a degree audit to ensure all requirements have been met for their degree or certificate program.

Graduation vs. Commencement

Graduation and commencement are separate processes. Students wishing to participate in the annual Commencement Ceremony held each May will need to sign up separately. More details will be available in March 2026. 

If you have any question, please call the records office at 217-786-4956 or send an email.

Grads, join us at GradFest to kick off the commencement season!

At GradFest, you can purchase your cap, gown and tassel, and pick up your 10 free graduation announcements. There will be a selfie station with fun graduation props as well as the occasional visit from our mascot Linc!

When: Wed., March 18 and Thu., March 19, 2026

Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: A. Lincoln Commons, the Workforce Careers Center (Springfield campus) and 69风流 Outreach Centers

Can't make it to GradFest? You may purchase your cap, gown and tassel at the 69风流 Bookstore in person or beginning March 19.

  • Completion of course requirements as stated in catalog
  • All financial obligations to the college must be paid
  • 69风流 grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.00
  • Associate degree GPA requirement 鈥 overall combined GPA, which includes both transfer work and 69风流 credits, of at least 2.00
  • Associate degree residency requirement 鈥 earn a minimum of 20 semester hours at 69风流. This does not include proficiency, CLEP or Advanced Placement credits.
  • Certificate GPA requirement 鈥 only courses needed for the certificate are used and must be at least 2.00
  • Certificate residency requirement 鈥 at least one-third of certificate courses must be taken at 69风流. This does not include proficiency, CLEP or Advanced Placement credits.

  • March 7: Deadline to apply for graduation to be considered for departmental honors at commencement
  • May 1: Deadline for graduation application to be considered a spring graduate
  • July 15: Deadline for graduation application to be considered a summer graduate
  • Dec. 1: Deadline for graduation application to be considered a fall graduate

69风流 calculates honors and high honors for associate degree graduates by combining all credits transferred from other colleges with those taken at 69风流. Honors and high honors are also awarded for certificate programs requiring 30 or more semester hours. Student honors for certificate graduates are calculated by using only those courses needed for the certificate.

Those graduates who have an overall grade point average of 3.50 to 3.74 are considered 鈥済raduates with honors.鈥 Graduates with an overall grade point average of 3.75 to 4.00 are considered 鈥済raduates with high honors.鈥 This status is posted on 69风流 transcripts and diplomas after final evaluations have been conducted by the Student Records Evaluators.

  • Graduation is the conferring of a degree or certificate upon completion of all program requirements. Students are made graduates at the end of the fall, spring and summer semesters.
  • Commencement is the ceremony to celebrate the completion of college work. The annual commencement ceremony is typically held in May of each year.

Stay connected to 69风流 by getting involved in the 69风流 Alumni Network. The 69风流 Alumni Network is open to any current or former 69风流 student who has completed a minimum of three 69风流 credit hours. There is no charge for membership. Learn more about 69风流 Alumni Services.

Olivia Hentzien
2025 Commencement Speaker | Olivia Hentzien

Olivia Hentzien

My professors expected a lot from me and that鈥檚 good because those relationships hold you accountable.
Read about Olivia Hentzien
Caleb King
2025 Featured Graduate

Caleb King

Be comfortable with the uncomfortable. That's what made me grow.
Read about Caleb King
Haleigh, Miranda and Chloe Sanders
2025 Featured Graduates | Sanders Sisters

Sanders Triplets

Triplets Haleigh, Miranda and Chloe Sanders will graduate together in May.
Read about the Sanders sisters