Graduation

The simple answer is yes. You must apply for graduation. Three Rivers College has an enrollment of approximately 4,000 students who enter the College in different semesters and different years. Some have early college, advanced placement, or transfer credit, so they will complete their requirements more quickly than other students. Some are pursuing degree programs with different hour requirements. Some change majors or options and will need more hours to complete their recently declared major. With all those individual differences, it is nearly impossible for the College to determine who will actually be graduating when. So if you don’t apply for graduation, no one but you will know that you are planning to graduate.

We encourage you to apply for graduation as soon as you have completed enrollment for your final semester. Applying early allows for time to resolve any unexpected problems.

October 1 – Fall graduates
February 1 – Spring graduates
February 1 – Summer candidates wishing to participate in the Commencement Ceremony
June 1 – Summer candidates who do not wish to participate in the Commencement Ceremony.

There is no fee for graduation. There is also no charge for the regalia. However, if you order regalia and do not participate in the Commencement Ceremony, you will be charged $30.

Yes. You will need to provide proof of enrollment for your application for graduation to be approved. You will then need to have your official transcript(s) sent to the Office of the Registrar when you complete the course.

Candidates for graduation have three weeks after commencement to complete grades of incomplete, submit official transcripts from other institutions, and verify the accuracy of grades received. If you believe you have received an incorrect grade, please discuss it with the instructor. If a failing grade is received in a course you need to graduate; you will need to enroll in suitable course work in a subsequent semester and apply for graduation in that semester.

Graduates are not required to participate in the Commencement Ceremony; however, we encourage you to do so. An email will be sent to potential graduates in early February requesting confirmation of participation in the ceremony. If you are participating, you will need to submit measurements for your cap and gown at that time. There is no charge for the cap and gown. However, if you order a cap and gown and do not participate in the Commencement Ceremony, you will be charged $30. A word of caution: You may not wish to participate in commencement, but your family may have other ideas. Please discuss this matter with your family before declining to participate.

The annual Commencement Ceremony is held in May of each year. Students graduating in December are eligible to participate in the Commencement Ceremony the following May.
Students graduating in July can participate in the Commencement Ceremony in May before completing their degree or certificate.

We will have a live broadcast for your family and friends who cannot attend. The link can be found on the Commencement page.

The ceremony will be held in the Libla Family Sports Complex on the Three Rivers College Poplar Bluff Campus. The Libla Family Sports Complex is a 60,000-square-foot gymnasium that seats over 3,000 people and is home to the College’s Raiders and Lady Raiders basketball teams.

The rehearsal is at 11 a.m. on the same day as the commencement ceremony at the Libla Family Sports Complex. Graduates are highly encouraged to attend rehearsal as every aspect of the ceremony will be reviewed. Please arrive 15 minutes early. You should not wear your regalia to rehearsal.

Graduates and guests can park in the parking lots across from the baseball field, in front of the Tinnin Fine Arts Center, the Bess Activity Center, and the Westwood Event Center. Designated pick-up and drop-off spots on those lots are marked with Event Pick-up banners. There will be shuttles running from the parking lots to the complex. Please allow adequate time for parking and a shuttle ride to the ceremony.
You may pull up to the front of the Libla Family Sports Complex to drop off family members, then proceed to park in the designated areas.

Graduates should check in to the designated place for line up at least 30 minutes before the beginning of the ceremony. Please allow adequate time for parking and a shuttle ride to the complex. Graduates should not bring any personal items into the lineup area.

It is very important to arrive at least 30 minutes before the ceremony to allow adequate time for line up. Late arrivals will not be allowed to have a seat on the floor after graduates have been seated. If you are late, you will be placed at the end of the line. Do not be late!!!

There is no limit to the number of guests you may invite.

No, program of study and degrees will not be announced, just students’ names.

Graduates are not arranged by program of study or by name. Graduates are invited to line up with their friends at the rehearsal to increase the likelihood they will be seated next to one another at the ceremony,

Traditionally the ceremony lasts 70 minutes.

A name card will be provided during the ceremony where graduates can write their name out phonetically. The name card will be provided to the announcer, so that they can announce the graduate’s name correctly. The graduate can also meet with the announcer during the rehearsal or before the ceremony.

Yes, graduation announcements and other gifts are available for purchase at The College Store. You can email collegestore@trcc.edu for more information.

You must wear the Three Rivers College Commencement regalia consisting of the black gown, cap, and tassel. No corsages or other items may be pinned or worn on the gown.
As a rule, graduates should dress up but dress comfortably. This is a formal event. Avoid T-shirts or jeans and pick shoes that you can wear for an extended period.

Yes. All graduates will have a photo taken before the ceremony and another photo on the stage receiving their diploma cover. These photos will be available to download at no charge. Graduates should check their TRC email account in the weeks following the ceremony for information.

Graduates who anticipate needing accommodations to participate will submit this information with their regalia order. If you have specific questions, please contact the Office of the Registrar at registrar@trcc.edu.

The wheelchair ramp is located on the northeast corner of the building. The wheelchair-accessible entry and regular seating can be accessed through the main entrance of the Libla Family Sports Complex. Individuals using a wheelchair and one guest will be positioned on the upper west side of the facility. Individuals with other accessibility needs will be assisted as needed.

You will submit your cap and gown order online.
In early February, an email will be sent to potential graduates with information about the regalia order. Please check the Important Deadlines page for the deadline to order.

When you submit your order for your cap and gown, you will choose which TRC location you wish to pick up your order. Please check the Important Deadlines page for the dates to pick up your cap and gown.
You will receive an email with detailed information regarding your pick-up location, dates and times.

Yes, the cap and gown are yours to keep. This allows you to get as many pictures as you desire, even with people who could not attend the ceremony. There is no charge for the cap and gown. However, if you order a cap and gown but do not participate, you will be charged $30.

You can decorate your cap. All decorations must be on top of the cap without any items hanging from the sides. The decorations cannot have any profanity or inappropriate embellishments. You will be asked to remove the cap if it is inappropriately decorated.

Only honor cords and veteran cords distributed by the Office of the Registrar, PTK stoles, and Alpha Delta Nu stoles may be worn during the ceremony.

PTK members wear a stole from PTK. You will not wear the tassel, medallion, or cord from PTK. You can order your stole directly from PTK at www.ptk.org.

Members of the nursing program’s honor society, Alpha Delta Nu, will receive the stole at the Nursing Pinning ceremony.

Diplomas are not handed out at the ceremony. Diplomas will be printed after academic records are evaluated and degrees are posted on the academic record. When diplomas are printed, you will receive an email to your TRC student email account informing you diplomas are ready for pick up. We hold the diplomas in the Office of the Registrar for one week for students wishing to pick up the document(s). After one week, diplomas will be mailed to the address of record. Please confirm your mailing address is correct on your myTRCC account before diplomas are mailed. We are not responsible for diplomas lost or damaged in the mail.

You should receive your diploma within four weeks after the term you complete the degree requirements. When diplomas are printed, you will receive an email to your TRC student email account informing you diplomas are ready for pick up. We hold the diplomas in the Office of the Registrar for one week for students wishing to pick up the document(s). After one week, diplomas will be mailed to the address of record. Please confirm your mailing address is correct on your myTRCC account before diplomas are mailed. We are not responsible for diplomas lost or damaged in the mail.

The diploma will show your name, your degree, honors, if applicable, and graduation date. Diplomas are 10″ x 8″ and printed in landscape format. You will receive an email when diplomas are ready to be picked up. If you do not pick up your diploma within one week, your diploma will be mailed to the address of record. It will arrive in a flat 9×12 cardboard mailer.

Diploma covers are presented during the ceremony to graduates who participate in the ceremony.

Keep your diploma in a safe place.
Replacement diplomas cost $25 and may be ordered at https://trcc.edu/diploma-replacement-form/

You are encouraged to preorder final transcripts and indicate on the request to hold these transcripts for a degree. Transcripts will be processed once the student’s academic records reflect graduated status. Learn more about transcripts here.

Visit the Graduation webpage
You can also email us at registrar@trcc.edu, stop by the Office of the Registrar, or call the Office of the Registrar 573-840-9665.