Information & Guidelines for Students

• Tickets will be required for guests to enter the ceremony.
• All student candidates for graduation will receive 7 tickets for guest entry.  
• Student must be present and present a picture ID to collect and sign for tickets.
  • If a student is unable to pick up their graduation tickets in person, they may authorize another individual to do so on their behalf. To authorize a designated pickup person, the student must email enrollmentmanagement@laredo.edu and include the following information: 
    • Student's full name
    • A statement authorizing the designated individual to pick up the graduation tickets
    • Designated individual's full name

A valid government-issued photo ID will be required from the designated individual at the time of ticket pickup.

• Tickets may be picked up at the Enrollment Management office, Ft. McIntosh Campus, Lerma-Pena room 131 - starting on Monday, August 3rd. No replacements for lost tickets. Last day to pick-up tickets is Thursday, August 6th.
• Tickets guarantee guest entry to the venue prior to the start of the ceremony. Once the ceremony begins and after the graduates are seated, doors will open to the general public and no ticket will be required.
• Seats are available on a first-come-first-serve basis and the doors to the LISD Dennis E. Nixon Performing Arts Center will be closed upon reaching capacity.
• No reservation or holding of seats will be allowed.
• Students will line up an hour before the ceremony begins and must arrive to the venue fully dressed in their cap and gown. There are no dressing rooms available to change and the graduates will be photographed immediately upon arrival. 
• All graduating candidates must enter the LISD PAC through the courtyard entrance identified with the sign 'Student Entrance ONLY'.
• Students are encouraged to leave personal belongings, such as purses, at home. No storage for personal belongings is available and students must carry what they bring with them during the ceremony and at all times.
• Wear comfortable shoes! Students will be standing for a prolonged period of time during the line up and will walk long distances to find their seats. 
• The gown can be lightly pressed with a warm iron/steamer. Do not iron directly! 
• Caps should be worn level on the head with the long point to the back.
• Tassels are worn over the right temple prior to graduation.
• Students are expected to remain in their seat during the entire duration of the ceremony. For safety purposes, no early exit or departures are allowed, unless approved. 
• Ceremony duration is based on the number of graduates - we strive to keep our ceremonies at or below the two hour mark. 

 SUGGESTIONS FOR WHAT TO WEAR UNDER THE GOWNS:

• Graduates should wear simple, lightweight casual outfits, comfortable shoes, button-up shirts with a tie, dress slacks, and business professional attire.
• For the Fall ceremony at the Sames Auto Arena, the ice rink may be available below the floor, thus making the temperature of the venue colder than usual, plan accordingly! 

 

Information updated: 07/30/2026

Commencement Regalia

Commencement regalia (cap, gown, and tassel packages) are available for purchase at the Office of Enrollment Management at the Lerma-Peña building, room 131, at the Ft. McIntosh Campus.

Please note, students participating in the Commencement ceremony must purchase their own college approved commencement regalia at the Laredo College Enrollment Management Office.

Regalias are purchased based on approximate graduate height.

All sales are final and exchanges may only occur if inventory is available the Thursday, before the commencement ceremony.  

 

Cost: $42.00

 

Official College Stole

Official College Stoles are now available for purchase at the Laredo College Enrollment Management Office, Lerma Pena building, room 131.

 

Cost: $30.00

No commencement regalia will be sold the day of the ceremony.

Dual Enrollment High School students and candidates for graduation are highly encouraged to wear their High School commencement regalia for recognition and distinction. Any questions regarding commencement regalia for Dual Enrollment students must be directed to the High School administrator.

 

Institutional Honors

Graduates will be granted institutional honors respective to their cumulative GPA excluding non-developmental courses. The criteria is as follows:

• Summa Cum Laude: GPA of at least 3.8 to 4.0 (Two white cords).
• Magna Cum Laude: GPA of at least 3.5 but less than 3.7 (Two gold cords).
• Cum Laude: GPA of at least 3.2 but less than 3.4 (One gold cord). 

Only those candidates who have applied for an Associate degree or higher are eligible to graduate with Institutional Honors. This excludes candidates graduating with a Certificate or an Occupational Skills Award (OSA).

All final grades must be received prior to the computation of the Honor's list.

 

Graduation Pictures

Spring 2026 Graduation Pictures are now available! 

Here's how to access them: 

NLITE Media Photography

https://2dlsanz5.mypixhome.com/instant-gallery/spring-2026-lc-graduation-/

For a step-by-step guide on how to order your photos, see the video below: 

No, your diploma will be ready for pickup two weeks after the ceremony.

 

The honors cords are available once all final grades are received and final GPA is calculated for all graduating candidates. Academic institutional honor cords may be picked up as early as Wednesday, August 5, 2026, should all processes be complete. You will receive an email from the Office of the Registrars to your offical student email account, notifying the cord pick up date and time. You may pick up your cords at the Office of the Registrar, located at the Ft. McIntosh Campus in the Lerma Peña building, room 116.

 

The Commencement Ceremony is designed as a celebration for the accomplishments of our graduating students. We encourage you to avoid displaying profane or offensive language out of respect to your fellow graduates, friends and family.