Graduation
December 4, 2024. 6:30 P.m. graduation livestream will begin at 6:15 P.M.
Graduation details
| Graduation application deadline | Monday, October 28, 2024 The graduation application for Fall 2024 term is available for submission through the PASSPORT student portal under the Advising tab on the drop-down menu |
| Ceremony information | Wednesday, December 4, 2024 Time: 6:30 pm RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St., Lakeland Students will receive information regarding tickets for their guests via their Polk State emails in mid-November. The ceremony will be live-streamed on this webpage to allow remote participation. |
| Tickets | Commencement ceremonies are free, ticketed events. Tickets are required for guests to be admitted to graduation at the RP Funding Center. – Graduates do not need tickets to participate in their assigned ceremony. – Children under the age of 2 may sit on an adult’s lap and do not need tickets. – Those who are unable to attend graduation may view the ceremony live on this webpage. A video stream will become live approximately 15 minutes before each ceremony begins. |
| Caps, gowns & regalia | Cap, gown, and Polk State achievement stole are all required regalia and are available as a bundle through the campus bookstores. Baccalaureate students now wear red gowns, and all others wear black. Collegiate high school students may wear their black high school caps and gowns. Students may wear medallions, pins, stoles, and cords if provided to them by an approved organization or club of the College. Students should not wear regalia from their high school graduations. |
| Academic Honors | Academic Honors are based on grade-point average (GPA) and described in the College catalog under “Regulations.” Honors cords are given to students based on the term preceding the graduation term. If a student earns academic honors after the Registrar has certified the final GPA, the transcript will reflect that. |
| Honors Program Distinction | Students who graduate from the Honors Program will have a note on their transcripts and an Honors seal that will be displayed on their diplomas based on their final GPAs. |
| Graduation posting and diplomas | It takes up to 30 days for graduation status to post to student records. Each student record is carefully reviewed to ensure requirements have been met. Students should contact an advisor by emailing registrar@zo23.com or calling 863.297.1000 with questions about whether or not they have met all requirements to graduate. Diplomas are printed after all requirements for the semester have been completed and all graduates have been validated. Students should ensure their addresses are accurate when submitting their graduation applications because they will be used to deliver diplomas. Diplomas are mailed approximately six to eight weeks after the end of each semester – spring, summer, and fall. Certificates are printed after each cohort completion and will be delivered to addresses the College has on record for those students within six to eight weeks of completion. |
| Account holds | Students should check their Passport accounts for account holds and obligations including library fines, tickets received on campus, and other fees. Students will not receive their transcripts or diplomas until all holds are resolved. |
| Fees | There are no graduation fees. |
Frequently asked questions
+ Graduate Accolades
We want to honor you at graduation. Tell us your story so we can share your success with others. Complete the Graduate Accolades Form and send it to news@zo23.com.
+ Graduation Application
The application process begins by applying online through PASSPORT under [Advising]. Applications open each term beginning the day after the Add/Drop deadline.
+ Graduation Application Instructions
The graduation application screens provide many details about graduation. Please read them carefully. You will receive a detailed email at your my.zo23.com address with complete graduation instructions. If you do not qualify to graduate after grades are posted, your application will be removed. You may apply again during your term of completion.
Please complete the graduation survey also found as a link in PASSPORT under [Advising].
Please complete the graduation accolades form at the end of the application online.+ Diplomas
Diplomas are printed after all requirements for a term have been completed and all of the graduates are validated. The address on your Graduation Application will be used. Be sure it is accurate! Diplomas are mailed approximately 6-8 weeks after each graduation – spring, summer, and fall.
Certificates are printed after each cohort completion. You will receive them in the mail using the address Polk State has on record within 6-8 weeks of completion.+ Fees
There is no Graduation fee.
+ Holds
Check Passport for obligations such as library fines, tickets you received on campus, and other fees. Check with the Graduation Coordinator for any additional holds you may have. You will not receive your transcript or diploma until all holds are resolved.
+ Photographs
Graduation photographs will be taken the night of the ceremony. The photographer will contact graduates with special photo packages that can be purchased.
+ Graduating with Academic Honors
Academic Honors are based on GPA and described in the college catalog under the Regulations section. Honor cords are given to students based on the term preceding the graduation term. If you earn academic honors after the Registrar has certified your final GPA, your transcript will reflect that.
+ Honors Program Graduates
Be sure to wear your regalia as an Honors Program Graduate. We are proud of our honors students and honors program graduates. If you graduate from the Honors Program a note will be on your transcript. An honors seal will be displayed on your diploma based on your final GPA.
+ Graduation Protocol
The Commencement ceremony is a most dignified event. Decorum and courtesy are very important for graduates and their guests.
All graduates and members of the general audience should stand and remove hats following the lead of the stage guests.
No air horns, balloons, bubbles, beach balls, or similar items are allowed in the ceremony. The use of noisemakers may be intended to show one person’s pride in a graduate, but it can also ruin the chance for another family to hear the name of their graduate announced.If you need to use the restroom, leave your cap on your chair.
You may not leave until the ceremony concludes.+ Caps, Gowns & Regalia
Caps, gowns, stoles, and tassels may be ordered online at www.herffjones.com/college/graduation
Students can start ordering their regalia beginning April 8, 2024. More information is forthcoming, and graduates are asked to monitor this page as well as their my.zo23.com emails for updates.
IF YOU WRITE ON OR DECORATE YOUR CAP, you must do so tastefully without vulgarity or inappropriate content. If your mortarboard is deemed excessive or in poor taste by an administrator you may be required to remove the decorations, purchase another cap, or may not be allowed to participate in the ceremony.
Regalia, other than honors regalia, is provided by your clubs or organizations. Regalia must be approved. High School graduation regalia should not be worn. You cannot wear pins, sashes, or decorative items outside of college-approved regalia.
+ Tassels
Tassels should be worn on the RIGHT side. After you officially have been conferred your degree at the end of the ceremony, you will be directed to move your tassel from the right to the left.
Bachelor graduate regalia includes a tassel and cord in the traditional color of drab representing the discipline.+ Announcements & Invitations
Many students choose to order personalized announcements or invitations to send to their families and friends. We recommend you order these from the bookstore before the graduation application deadline.
Due to space limitations at the RP Funding Center, student guests will need to obtain an admittance ticket. Students will be limited in the number of guests allowed. See the ticketing information at the top of this page under Graduation Details.+ Phi Theta Kappa Stolling, Golden Key International Honour Society & Nursing Pinning
These ceremonies are separate from Commencement. Contact the club sponsor or the nursing program director for details.
+ What to Wear
Graduates must be attired in full academic regalia to participate in the ceremony. This includes medallions, pins, stoles, and cords if provided to them by an approved organization or club of the College.
Female graduates — Business attire. No flip-flops or beach-type sandals.
Male graduates — Dress shirt and tie with long trousers. No flip-flops or beach-type sandals.
Guests — Business casual.+ Rehearsal
There is never a rehearsal at Polk State College for commencement. Therefore, it is very important for students to arrive on time to check-in.
+ Tickets
Graduation requires tickets for guests of graduates. More information will become available closer to graduation time.
+ Access for Disabled Persons
The ushers will direct you to special seating. One guest may sit with the disabled guest and in some instances more. Seating with the disabled guest is subject to availability and demand on a first-come-first-serve basis.
+ Reception
No reception is provided after the ceremony. We encourage you to celebrate at one of the fine local restaurants with family and friends.
+ Lodging
Hyatt Place Lakeland Center (Right by the RP Funding Center)
525 West Orange Street
Lakeland, FL 33815
Ph.: (863)413-1122
http://lakelandcenter.place.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.htmlThe Terrace Hotel (Historic Hotels of America)- Downtown Lakeland
329 E Main Street
Lakeland, FL 33801
Ph.: (863)688-0800
http://www.terracehotel.com/Hampton Inn & Suites (Approximately 3 miles from the RP Funding Center)
In the Lakeside Village Mall Complex
3630 Lakeside Village Blvd. Lakeland, FL 33803
Ph.: (863)603-7600
http://www.hamptonlakeland.com/+ Ceremony Participation Deadline
If you met the deadline with your graduation application, you can choose to participate late. You must complete a graduation application online, and secure a cap and gown. For assistance, contact the Graduation Coordinator at 863.298.6815 or 863.297.1010 extension 5278.
You cannot just “show up” at the ceremony and expect to walk.
