BTC is Celebrating Commencement 2021 Virtually!

BTC's Virtual Commencement Ceremony can be viewed at BTC Virtual Commencement 2021.

BTC will hold a Virtual Commencement Ceremony on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at 7:00 p.m., broadcast on the BTC Publications YouTube channel. The ceremony will last approximately 90 minutes (this may vary a bit) so build in some extra time.

Participating in the Commencement Ceremony is a great way to celebrate your achievement!

All students who will complete a program of 45 credits or more by the end of Summer quarter 2021 are eligible to participate in the Wednesday, June 23, 2021 Commencement Ceremony.

How do I get my certificate and degree?

If you are completing your program and wish to receive a degree or certificate, please visit the Apply for your Certificate & Degree page under Current Students.

What does a Virtual Commencement Ceremony look like?

It will be mostly the same as if it were in person, but instead of graduates walking across the stage, graduates will be recognized with their name and degree or certificate earned. If you want to have YOUR PHOTO, along with your name, degree or certificate earned to be individually recognized, you need to email us and tell us you want to have your photo in the Virtual Commencement Ceremony by Friday, April 30, 2021 to commencement@btc.edu. Interim President Walter Hudsick will also direct graduates to move their tassels at the end of the ceremony which signifies being a graduate. Graduates are invited to wear their regalia while watching the Virtual Commencement Ceremony on Wednesday, June 23 with their family and friends!

Just think what a wonderful and memorable opportunity having a Virtual Commencement Ceremony could be for the graduates, their families and friends. No tickets, no waiting in line, no parking hassles, no long-distance commuting. This day belongs to our graduates, and it is our goal to make it a special, joyous occasion.

Commencement Participant Materials:

• Black cap and blue tassel (required regalia)
• Honor cords, if you have a cumulative GPA of 3.50-4.00. Please note that cumulative GPAs for students graduating this Spring or Summer are determined by their grades earned through Winter quarter. These are estimations for the Commencement Ceremony and are subject to change dependent upon final quarter grades
• Stoles for Bachelor of Applied Science students
• Veteran cords for veterans
• TRiO cords for participating TRiO students
• ASBTC stoles for ASBTC executives
• Diploma covers

These materials will be available for shipment from the BTC Campus Store in May, the final date will come in the updates.

Phi Theta Kappa:
Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) honor cords and other regalia can be purchased by PTK members on the PTK website. All PTK regalia are optional for PTK members.

• How do I get my degree?

  Submit a Graduation Application. Graduation Applications are due by the end of the second week of the quarter in which you plan to graduate.

• Where is my diploma sent to?

  Your diploma will be mailed to the address you provide on your Graduation Application. Please keep in mind that diplomas are mailed six to eight (6-8) weeks after final grades are posted. Please provide an address which will be good at that time. Please phone 360.752.8348 if you need to update your address for diploma mailing.

• When will my diploma arrive in the mail?

  Allow six to eight (6-8) weeks after final grades post for transcript review/degree audit and mailing of diploma. Some delay may be experienced after Spring Quarter due to volume. If there is a hold on your account, you will not receive your diploma until the hold is cleared.

• What should I do if I need proof of one-year certificate or two-year degree graduation before receipt of my diploma?

  Order an official transcript at www.getmytranscript.com. Make sure to select the appropriate box indicating that you want your transcript to be held for posting of the degree. Your transcript will be mailed after your graduation date and credential earned have been posted. If needed, a letter can be provided to you to verify completion for potential employers. Contact the Registration Office at registration@btc.edu or call 360.752.8350.

• If I lose my diploma can I get a new one?

  Yes. The cost is $10.00 for the diploma and mailing. A Replacement Request form is available on the BTC website or at the Registration & Enrollment Office.

• Am I eligible for Academic Honors?

  To be eligible for Academic Honors, you must be enrolled full time in a degree program with a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher at the completion of all degree requirements. Full time is defined as being enrolled for a minimum of 12 credits per quarter. Cum Laude (with honor) awarded to students with a cumulative GPA of 3.50-3.74. Magna Cum Laude (with great honor) awarded to students with a cumulative GPA of 3.75-3.89. Summa Cum Laude (with highest honor) awarded to students with a cumulative GPA of 3.90-4.00.

• When is the Virtual Commencement Ceremony?

  Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. 

• Who can participate?

  If you are completing a degree or certificate program of 45 credits or more between Fall quarter 2020 through Summer quarter 2021, your name and degree/certificate title will be included in the Virtual Commencement Ceremony 7:00 p.m. If you want to have YOUR PHOTO, along with your name, degree/certificate in the Virtual Commencement Ceremony to be individually recognized, you need to email us and tell us you want to have your photo in the Virtual Commencement Ceremony by Friday, April 30, 2021 to commencement@btc.edu

• Where is the Commencement Ceremony?

  Your Home, or wherever you will be viewing the ceremony.  Watch the commencement ceremony on the BTCPublications youtube channel.

• Do GED recipients participate in the Commencement Ceremony?

  A list of GED completers will be recognized in the Virtual Commencement Ceremony.

• How long does the Commencement Ceremony last?

  Plan on two hours—though it may be closer to an hour.

• Do I have to wear a cap and tassel?

  Yes, graduates of one-year certificate and two-year degree programs wear a black cap with a blue tassel. Gown is not required. Caps and tassels are available at the Campus Store beginning mid-May.

• What is the cost to participate?

  There is no cost to participate. The Campus Store will begin shipping cap and tassel and diploma covers to Commencement Participants beginning approximately May 11.

• Can I participate in the Commencement Ceremony in June if I am not completing my program until August?

  Yes. If you are within 12 credits of graduation at the end of Spring Quarter and plan on completing those credits summer term, you can participate in the June Commencement Ceremony.

• Can I participate in the Commencement Ceremony in June if I can't graduate until the end of Fall Quarter?

  No. You must plan on completing your degree by the end of Summer Quarter 2021 in order to participate in the June 2021 Commencement Ceremony.

• I'm earning more than one degree or certificate. How will that be recognized at the Commencement Ceremony?

  All graduates completing a degree or certificate program of 45 credits or more will be recognized in the Virtual Commencement Ceremony with your name and degree/certificate title. If you are receiving more than one degree or certificate, your name and degree/certificate will be listed in each program area. The PDF version of the Commencement Ceremony program will identify all of the degrees/certificates you earned as well for the current academic year.

• What is the deadline for me to decide if I'm going to participate in the Commencement Ceremony?

  You must contact us by Friday, April 30 (at commencement@btc.edu) if you want to have your photo, along with your name and degree/certificate title in the Virtual Commencement Ceremony. You must submit your Graduation Application by May 21, 2021 as well.

• What happens during the Virtual Commencement Ceremony?

  The ceremony includes the following:

  • Messages from the college president, member of the Board of Trustees, faculty speaker, and BTC student speaker

  • Recognition of scholastic achievement

  • Presentation of degrees, certificates

  • Tassel movement

• Am I eligible for Honor Cords?

  Here is a list of different types of honor cords and stoles.

  1. Cum Laude (with honor) awarded to students with cumulative GPA of 3.50-3.74

  2. Magna Cum Laude (with great honor) awarded to students with cumulative GPA of 3.75-3.89

  3. Summa Cum Laude (with highest honor) awarded to students with cumulative GPA of 3.90-4.00

  4. Veteran

  5. Phi Theta Kappa

  6. ASBTC

  7. BAS

  The Cum Laude honor cords, TRiO, Veteran, BAS, and ASBTC regalia will be shipped from the Campus Store. Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) honor cords and other regalia can be purchased by PTK members on the PTK website. All PTK regalia are optional for PTK members.

  To be eligible for Cum Laude, students must be enrolled full time in a degree program at the completion of all degree requirements. Full time is defined as being enrolled for a minimum of 12 graded credits per quarter. The cumulative GPAs for students graduating this Spring or Summer are determined by their grades earned through Winter quarter. These are estimations for the Commencement Ceremony and are subject to change dependent upon final quarter grades.

• If I participate in Commencement and then complete my program requirements in a later quarter, do I need to do anything to get my diploma (degree/certificate)?

  Yes. You must submit a new Graduation Application to let BTC know that you have completed your requirements. A final degree audit will be performed to certify that you have met graduation requirements. After you have been certified as graduated, we will mail your diploma.

• Am I eligible for a Certificate of Merit?

  Full- or part-time degree/certificate program students who demonstrate academic and/or program excellence in their program may be awarded the Certificate of Merit at program completion by the program faculty. One Certificate of Merit will be awarded per full-time program faculty per academic year per cohort of graduates. It is awarded at the discretion of the program faculty only upon completion.

• Will I receive my diploma at Commencement?

  No. Your diploma is mailed to you after we certify that you have met graduation requirements for your degree or certificate.

• If I participate in the Commencement Ceremony, does that mean I have graduated?

  No, you have not graduated until your degree or certificate is awarded and posted to your transcript. To begin this process, complete a Graduation Application and submit it to the Registration Department. After all program requirements are completed and final grades are posted, the verification process will begin. The verification process typically requires six to eight (6-8) weeks for processing.

• Will my name appear in the newspaper?

  Your name will be published in the Commencement program and submitted to the newspaper unless you have submitted a Request for Non-Disclosure of Student Information. For more information about the Request for Non-Disclosure, contact the Registration & Enrollment Office at 306.752.8350 or by email at registration@btc.edu.

Congratulations on your upcoming Commencement and graduation! BTC is so proud of you and your accomplishment.

We have a wonderful Virtual Commencement Ceremony planned for you that will celebrate, acknowledge, and honor you and your achievements.

If you are completing a degree or certificate program of 45 credits or more between Fall quarter 2020 through Summer quarter 2021, your name and degree/certificate title will be included in the Virtual Commencement Ceremony, which will begin at 7:00 p.m., on BTCPublications YouTube channel on June 23, 2021.

But wait, there’s more! If you want to have YOUR PHOTO, along with your name, degree/certificate in the Virtual Commencement Ceremony to be individually recognized, this is what ya gotta do:

Email us and tell us you want to have your photo in the Virtual Commencement Ceremony by Friday, April 30, 2021 to commencement@btc.edu

To do that, you need to submit photos of yourself with your cap and tassel, and diploma cover, by Friday, May 21, 2021. Here is what we need you to do: 

Photos:

Dress in your BTC program uniform or business casual. Wear your cap, with your tassel hanging on the right side of your cap, and any additional cords or stoles, if you have earned them. Keep in mind that your photos will be viewed by a large audience. Photos must be submitted to commencement@btc.edu by Friday, May 21, 2021. Photo guidelines:

• Submit at least two different “head shot” close-up photos of your face and shoulders, preferably with a neutral background (solid blank wall, etc.)
• Submit at least two photos of you, possibly holding your diploma cover
• Feel free to include your family, your car, your favorite building, etc., something that captures your personality
• You may showcase your decorated cap, in at least one photo
• You may submit up to 8 photos total
• All photos must be free from inappropriate images
• BTC has the right to edit and/or not use any/all photos submitted

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We are so excited for you, and so proud of what you have done. We are looking forward to celebrating you virtually at 7:00 p.m. on June 23 at BTC’s YouTube Channel.

See Applying for your Certificate & Degree to request verification that you have completed a certificate or degree, to have your certificate and/or degree posted to your Transcript, and to receive your diploma.