BTC's Commencement 2023

BTC's Commencement Ceremony will be Thursday, June 22, 2023, 7:00 p.m., at Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N Commercial Street, Bellingham, WA.

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 between Fall quarter 2022 through Summer quarter 2023 are eligible to participate in the Thursday, June 22, 2023 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 is the deadline for me to decide if I'm going to participate in the Commencement Ceremony?

  We recommend you submit your Graduation Application by May 1, 2023. After you submit your Graduation Application, we will reach out to you to ask if you would like to participate in Commencement. We will email you at the email address you listed on your Graduation Applications. Emails will be sent out beginning in April, 2023. Graduation Applications submitted after June 1 will likely not be processed in time for students to participate in Commencement, or have your degree or certificate listed in the Commencement Program.

• When is the Commencement Ceremony?

  Thursday, June 22, 2023, 7:00 p.m.

• Where is the Commencement Ceremony?

  Commencement will be at the Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N Commercial Street, Bellingham, WA.

• When is rehearsal?

  Rehearsal will be at 2:00 p.m., on Thursday, June 22, at Mount Baker Theatre. Rehearsal is recommended but not required. Enter through the Backstage Door, behind Mount Baker Theatre, to attend rehearsal. This is the same entrance graduates enter for the Commencement Ceremony later in the evening.

• What time do I check in for the Commencement Ceremony?

  Graduates need to check-in, between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., for the Commencement Ceremony. Graduates enter through the Backstage Door entrance. Guests can begin entering through the Mount Baker Theatre front doors at 6:00 p.m.

• Will there be a live stream option?

  YES! It will livestream on the BTC Publications YouTube channel. 

• Who can participate?

  If you are completing a degree or certificate program of 45 credits or more between Fall quarter 2022 through Summer quarter 2023, you are invited to participate in the Commencement Ceremony. Even if you don't participate in Commencement Ceremony, your name and degree/certificate title will be included in the Commencement Ceremony brochure.

• How long does the Commencement Ceremony last?

  Plan on two hours—though it may be closer to 90 minutes.

• Who needs a guest ticket?

  All attendees need a guest ticket, including children and babes in arms.

• When and where do guests arrive for the Commencement Ceremony?

  Guests attending the Commencement Ceremony enter through the front doors of Mount Baker Theatre, and can begin entering at 6:00 p.m. All Graduates must enter through the Backstage Doors, behind Mount Baker Theatre, between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

• How many guests may I invite to Commencement?

  Each graduate will receive four (4) guest tickets. No extra tickets will be available.

• Where do I pick up my tickets?

  Tickets need to be picked up at the Student Center, Room 300 Campus Center building. Ticket pickup dates and times are:

  Tuesday, June 13: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
  Wednesday, June 14: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
  Thursday, June 15: 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  Friday, June 16: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

  If you have any questions regarding Commencement contact us at commencement@btc.edu 

• Can I get extra tickets?

  No.

• May I reserve seats for my guest?

  Seats cannot be reserved.

• Do GED recipients participate in the Commencement Ceremony?

  No, GED completers are recognized in a separate ceremony.

• Do I have to wear a cap, gown and tassel?

  Yes, graduates of one-year certificate and two-year degree programs wear a black gown and cap with a blue tassel. Gown is required. Gowns, caps and tassels are available at the Campus Store beginning mid-May.

• What is the cost to participate?

  There is no cost to participate but you will have to provide your own regalia (gown, cap and tassel). And, you have to sign up to participate in Commencement.

• 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. Graduation Applications submitted after June 1 are not guaranteed to be processed in time to participate in Commencement or to be listed in the Commencement Ceremony Program brochure. 

• Where is my diploma sent?

  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 360.752.8350 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.

• Will there be a photographer at Commencement?

  Yes. Photographer is GradImages. A “formal” photo of each graduate will be taken, as well as one of the graduate crossing the stage. You can view your photos at www.gradimages.com

• 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 Transcripts & Records. 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. Academic Honors are:
  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.

• 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 2023 in order to participate in the June 2023 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 Commencement Ceremony program 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 Commencement Ceremony program will identify all of the degrees/certificates you earned as well for the current academic year.

• What happens during the 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.

  • Cum Laude (with honor) awarded to students with cumulative GPA of 3.50-3.74
  • Magna Cum Laude (with great honor) awarded to students with cumulative GPA of 3.75-3.89
  • Summa Cum Laude (with highest honor) awarded to students with cumulative GPA of 3.90-4.00
  • Veteran
  • Phi Theta Kappa
  • ASBTC
  • Students with disabilities
  • LGBTQ+ students
  • BIPOC students
  • BAS

  The Cum Laude academic honor cords, Veterans cords, student identity cords, and BAS stoles will be distributed to eligible students when you check in at Mount Baker Theatre for Commencement. TRIO cords will be available at ticket pickup. 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.

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.

Will the Commencement Ceremony be virtual or in-person?

BTC's Commencement Committee is planning the 2023 Commencement Ceremony, and it will be in-person at Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N Commercial Street, Bellingham, WA, on Thursday, June 22, 2023, at 7:00 p.m.

Commencement Participant Materials:

• Black gown, 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
• Student affinity cords for LGBTQ+ students, BIPOC students, and students of color
• ASBTC stoles for ASBTC executives
• Diploma covers

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.

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

We have a wonderful 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 2022 through Summer quarter 2023, your name and degree/certificate title will be included in the Commencement Ceremony program.

We are so excited for you, and so proud of what you have done. We are looking forward to celebrating you on June 22, 2023.