Graduation Ceremony Information

The MCTC Graduation ceremony for 2012-13 graduates will be held on May 20, 2013 at 7 p.m. Following is key information to help you plan for the big day -- your graduation!

Location and parking

The graduation ceremony will be held at the Minneapolis Convention Center Auditorium (1301 2nd Ave in Minneapolis).

• You will receive a map to the ceremony and to nearby parking ramps when you pick up your cap and gown at the Graduation Celebration. The cost of most parking ramps near the convention center is approximately $10.00. You could also park in the MCTC parking ramp for $5 (or $2.50 with a pre-paid parking card) and walk, as it is less than .5 miles from campus.

Tickets needed for each guest

Every Commencement Ceremony guest will need a ticket in order to attend the ceremony, as space is limited. Each graduate will get a limited number of tickets (approx. 4 per graduate), to distribute to family and friends as they would like. Guest tickets will be distributed during the Graduation Celebration, from 10 a.m.–12 p.m. on May 20 in the Helland Center.

Arrival time for guests

The Convention Center Auditorium doors will open for seating at 6 p.m. If you are a graduate, you must ensure that each of your guests has a ticket to attend the ceremony, since space is limited. Should any additional tickets be available for re-distribution, we will distribute them outside of the Auditorium on a first-come, first-distributed basis.

Graduation Celebration

Every graduate participating in the May 20, 2013 Commencement Ceremony shall attend this year's Graduation Celebration, from 10 a.m.–12 p.m. on May 20, in the Helland Student Center. During this event, you will be able to pick up your tickets for guests, pick up your cap & gown and learn more about the ceremony that evening.

Accommodations for people with disabilities

If you or your guests require accommodation to make it possible to attend the graduation (such as wheelchair access, special seating, or a sign language interpreter), please contact the Disability Services Office at 612-659-6730 (Voice) or 612-659-6731 (TTY). Please remember that each of your guests will need a ticket in order to attend the ceremony.

The graduation program will be made available in alternate format by calling Disability Services at 612-659-6730 (Voice) or 612-659-6731 (TTY).

Graduation photos

GradImages® will photograph graduates receiving their diploma covers during the ceremony. Proofs will be mailed to you within two weeks following the ceremony, at which time you can purchase prints. To ensure that the ceremony is enjoyable and safe for everyone, we ask that your family and guests only take pictures and videotape from their seats. Pictures can also be taken before and after the ceremony in the lobby.

Secure valuables

No secure area is available at the Convention Center for purses and/or other valuables. We recommend that you lock valuables in your car trunk or give them to your graduation guests prior to the ceremony.

Cell phones

In order for all guests to enjoy the ceremony without distraction, we ask that you turn off your cell phone during the ceremony. We appreciate your thoughtfulness in this matter.