Commencement is a time to celebrate our graduating students’ hard work, dedication, and achievements. It marks the culmination of academic journeys and the beginning of new opportunities. Whether you’re a graduate, family member, or friend, this page provides all the essential information about the commencement ceremony.
Commencement 2026!
Date: Thursday, May 14, 2026
Time: TBD
Location: TBA
RSVP and Regalia information is sent to graduates in March.
The Commencement ceremony at Virginia Peninsula Community College takes place once a year in May. Students who graduated in the previous Summer or Fall, as well as those completing their requirements in the Spring, are eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony.
Commencement Ceremony Regalia and Dress Code Information
Virginia Peninsula Community College graduates participating in commencement exercises are required to have proper regalia to participate in the ceremony.
Regalia includes a cap, gown, and program tassel.
Tassel colors are associated with your Program and Academic Division.
White: Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Fine Arts (AFA)
Blue: Associate of Science (AS)
Gold: Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
Green: Certificates and Career Studies Certificates (Cert. & CSC)
Graduates participating in the commencement ceremony are expected to arrive on time and with their regalia.
Business attire is recommended to be worn beneath regalia. We suggest that you wear comfortable shoes. There will be long periods of standing.
Latin Honors Cords:
Cum Laude (3.2-3.4 GPA)
Cord Color- Green
Magna Cum Laude (3.5-3.7 GPA)
Cord Color-Silver
Summa Cum Laude (3.8-4.0 GPA)
Cord Color- Gold Latin Honors Cords will be given to recipients by the Graduation Specialist in conjunction with the Admissions, Records and Enrollment Services office. They will only be given to graduates attending the commencement ceremony. Notifications will be sent to graduates receiving an honors cord with the information on when and where to pick your item up prior to the commencement ceremony.
Regalia Information and Cap Decorating Standards
Decorating graduation caps (mortarboards) is a cherished tradition that symbolizes pride and accomplishment. These decorations allow students to express their achievements through quotes, images, symbols, and other personal statements. To maintain the dignity and respect of the commencement ceremony, the following guidelines must be adhered to when decorating graduation caps:
Permitted Decorations:
Decorations must not interfere with attaching the tassel to the cap.
Only the flat top of the college-issued black cap may be decorated.
Prohibited Decorations:
Advertisements, symbols, words, or slogans conveying inappropriate messages for a dignified commencement ceremony.
Decorations motivated by animosity against any person or group based on race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, disability, national origin, or any other characteristic that infringes on the rights and freedoms of others.
Hate speech or any content that threatens the safety of others.
Obscene, profane, or vulgar language, symbols, and images.
Words or items that diminish or slander any individual, institution, college, faculty or staff members, and/or students.
Large 3-D embellishments that obstruct the view of students seated behind you.
Decorations that hang off the sides of the cap.
Regalia Restrictions and Guidelines:
Decorations are prohibited on academic gowns.
Stoles and Honors Cords:
Stoles and honor cords will be worn by certain graduates who are listed below. Students with these affiliations or who are members in these organizations can obtain honor, club, or activity stoles and cords from their club advisor or activity lead. These are the only stoles or cords that can be worn during the commencement ceremony. These stoles and cords may not be altered.
TRiO program participants: Contact the TRiO office for information.
Veterans: Receive stoles and cords from the Military & Veteran Services Office.
PTK graduates: Contact your PTK advisor for information.
Nursing
Athletics & Ballroom Medals
Latin Honors Cords: Contact Enrollment Management/Graduation
The decoration of stoles and cords is not permitted.
Remember – NO personal, individual stoles, cords, or accessories are allowed. Unapproved, non VPCC department issued stoles and cords are not permitted in the ceremony. You are welcome to wear your item before or after commencement.
Please note that students will not be allowed to participate in the ceremony without a college issued cap and gown. Graduation caps will be reviewed in advance of the ceremony to ensure compliance with these standards. Commencement volunteers will not have extra caps, gowns, and stoles available to exchange for unapproved items a graduate is wearing.
VPCC recognizes the importance of expressive activities for students during the commencement ceremony. However, everyone must follow the standards outlined above.
Commencement Archives
2025 Commencement Ceremony took place on May 15, 2025, at 2 p.m. at the Hampton Coliseum.
Watch this year’s Commencement video.
Important Dates
- Commit to Complete Events
Fall 2025
Williamsburg Campus Tuesday, September 2, 2025, in the Student Commons Area at 1:00 pm
Hampton Campus Thursday, September 4, 2025, in the Kecoughtan Hall Gallery at 1:00 pm
Spring 2026
Hampton Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Williamsburg Thursday, February 5, 2026
More details to come!
- Graduate Completion Celebration- Sponsored by SGA
Fall 2025
Thursday, December 11, 2025
Spring 2026- TBA
- Grad Expo
Spring 2026
April 28 and April 30th, 2026, at 1:00 pm
Locations TBD for Hampton and Williamsburg Campuses
- Commencement 2026
Date: Thursday, May 14, 2026
Time: TBD
Location: TBA
RSVP and Regalia information will be sent to graduates in March 2026