Commencement
Congratulations! Commencement will be here before you know it! We cordially invite you to participate in the 2026 commencement ceremony on May 16. This event celebrates the diligent effort put forth throughout your time here at GCC. We hope you will make plans to participate in the ceremony!
Commencement will be held in the Genesee Community College Richard C. Call Arena
(RCCA) at the Batavia Campus on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 1:00 pm.
Line-up will begin promptly at 12:00 pm in the north end of the RCCA. The ceremony will be approximately one hour and thirty minutes in length.
In addition to filing the Degree Application, students participating in the ceremony MUST purchase the Commencement Package online or in-person at the GCC Barnes & Noble
Bookstore for $65.00.
Your purchase includes cap, gown, tassel, and diploma cover. Students may purchase the Commencement Package online at https://oakhallcg.com/pages/genesee and have it shipped to the bookstore for in-person pick up. Here are the available options:
|
Commencement Package Order Options |
Dates and Deadlines |
|
Order online for in-store pick-up |
Open 2/1/26 through 3/27/26 |
|
Grad Fair Pick-up |
Monday 5/4/26 |
|
Bookstore in-person purchase |
Begins on Tuesday 5/4/26 through Wednesday 5/13/26 |
|
Last day for in-person pick-up |
Friday 5/15/26 |
Commencement rehearsal will be held on Friday, May 15, 2026, at 12:00 pm in the RCCA.
While rehearsal is not mandatory it is strongly encouraged. It will provide an opportunity to walk through the ceremony and to ensure correct pronunciation of your name. Rehearsal will take about an hour and a half. Students should arrive to the north end of the RCCA by 12:00 pm. Lunch will be provided.
The deadline to pick up your Commencement Package will be Friday, May 15, 2026.
Your diploma cover will be presented to you at the commencement ceremony as you cross the stage. Paper diplomas will be sent to your home address via mail and should arrive around August 1, 2026.
This year’s Commencement Ceremony will be General Admission. The recommended guest per graduate is five. All guests will find open seating in the Richard C. Call Arena. If accessible seating or a hearing assistive device is required for you or a guest, please contact the office of Student Engagement & Inclusion at sa@genesee.edu. In addition, the ceremony will be streamed live on this page of GCC website
Lastly, please note- *Purchasing a cap and gown for the annual commencement ceremony does not mean you have officially graduated from the college. Graduation is contingent upon meeting all academic requirements and receiving final approval of your academic record. In order to participate in the commencement ceremony in May, you must be on track to have completed all graduation requirements by May 31st or be within 2 courses of completion and intend to complete those requirements by the end of the summer term. Any changes to your current registration may impact eligibility for commencement.
Sincerely,
Student Engagement and Inclusion
QUICK GUIDE FOR COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
Commencement Package – Purchase online from 2/1/26 to 3/27/26 here: https://oakhallcg.com/pages/genesee or in-person in the bookstore from 5/4/26 to 5/13/26.
Commencement Tickets – The ceremony is General Admission. The recommended guest per graduate is 5.
Access and Accommodations – If accessible seating or a hearing assistive device is required, please contact SE&I at sa@genesee.edu.
Rehearsal – Attend rehearsal at 12pm on Friday, May 15, 2026, in the Richard C. Call Arena. It will provide an opportunity to walk through the ceremony, flow of receiving your diploma and to ensure correct pronunciation of your name.
Commencement Ceremony – Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 1pm in the Richard C. Call Arena.
Line-up begins at 12pm.
Live-stream – On the GCC website: genesee.edu/commencement
**Additional information can be found online here
OR by calling Student Engagement & Inclusion (585) -343-0005 ext. 6261**