Ceremony Procedures

 

Before Commencement

  • North Lake College staff will guide you throughout the ceremony.
  • Enter through the rear of The Theatre at Grand Prairie at the loading docks. Once you enter you will not be permitted to exit unless there is an emergency.
  • Check in and obtain your name card then proceed to the location you are given.
  • After check-in you will be lined up in the hallway and once you are in your line you must remain in place until staff lead you out to the stage during the processional.
  • There will only be one copy of your name card and you must keep it with you at all times. You will take your card with you to give to the name reader when you cross the stage.

During Commencement

  • Administrators, special guests, speakers, and faculty members lead the processional.
  • Graduates will follow, led by a line marshal. Follow the instructions given to you by the staff and line marshals.
  • The line marshal will direct you to your row of seats and all graduates should remain standing until told to sit.
  • The college president and other speakers will give remarks.
  • Graduates will be directed to get up, row-by-row, and proceed to the front of the stage with name card in hand.
  • Hand your name card to the announcer and cross the stage as your name is announced.
  • The college president and a member of the Dallas County Community College District Board of Trustees will congratulate you and you will receive a diploma cover.
  • Official photos will be taken of you in your full regalia and as you cross the stage.
  • You will follow your row of graduates and return to your seat.
  • Once all students have crossed the stage, the president will confer the degrees and instruct the graduates to move their tassels from RIGHT to LEFT.

After Commencement

  • Administrators, special guests, speakers, and faculty members lead the recessional from the stage.
  • Graduates will follow as directed, row-by-row, and will proceed through the tunnel formed by college faculty members. This will conclude the evening's activities.
  • Graduates will exit the stage and continue outside of the main entrance of the venue. Please do not congregate inside the hallways or right outside and instead continue moving into the parking lot.
  • We recommend that you pre-arrange a place to meet with your guests.
  • There is no re-entry into the The Theatre at Grand Prairie once you leave.