Anoka Ramsey Community College

Commencement

• Apply to Become Our Commencement Student Speaker

  Are you passionate about sharing your story and inspiring your fellow graduates? Anoka-Ramsey Community College is seeking a student speaker for this year’s commencement ceremony! We will select one speaker for Coon Rapids and one for Cambridge. If you’re interested in representing your class and delivering a memorable message on graduation day, we invite you to apply.

  Submit your application by March 26th to be considered—we’d love to hear your voice and celebrate your journey!

  2026 Commencement Ceremony - Student Speaker Interest Form

• Cap/Gown and Cords

  Graduates can purchase a regalia set (cap, gown and tassel) through the Campus Store (in person or online). Pricing details are available on the Campus Store website or in person. Purchase early to ensure proper sizing.

  You are not required to purchase your regalia set through Anoka-Ramsey; however, all graduates must wear a black cap and gown to participate in the ceremony. 

  Cords

  • For TRIO cords, contact Phil Koessler for Coon Rapids or Monica Lilienthal for Cambridge
  • For Phi Theta Kappa cords, contact PhiThetaKappa@anokaramsey.edu
  • For Veteran’s cords, contact Tadd Heichel
  • GPA cords are not offered. However, graduates with a high GPA will be recognized in the Commencement program.
  • Students may wear other cords. Some graduates may choose to wear special cords to honor culture, family, or other personal achievements.

  Cap

  • Students are allowed to decorate their graduation caps, but all decorations must remain appropriate for the ceremony.

  Gowns and Attire

  • Graduates should wear semi-formal or business casual attire under their cap and gown. Avoid bulky clothing or casual items like hoodies, sweatpants, or flip-flops to ensure a polished and uniform appearance in photos and during the ceremony. 
  • Gown may come wrinkled; make sure you hang them before the ceremony to reduce wrinkles beforehand. 

  Financial Assistance

  Should you need financial assistance to purchase graduation regalia, email graduationcr@anokaramsey.edu for Coon Rapids or graduationcc@anokaramsey.edu for Cambridge assistance. 

  PSEO does not cover the cost of a cap and gown. The student is responsible for the cost of the regalia. 

• Degree/Diplomas/Covers

  Degree

  Commencement participation is optional; it is a celebration of your achievements. Your degree will be awarded upon successful completion of your degree requirements. Participating in the Commencement ceremony does not indicate official conferral of your degree. 

  Diploma

  Graduates will not receive their diploma at the Commencement ceremony. Diplomas are ordered for all graduates at the end of the graduating term once all degrees have been officially conferred. 

  • Fall diplomas are mailed in January
  • Spring diplomas are mailed in June
  • Summer diplomas in September

  Diplomas are mailed to the permanent address on file. To prevent delays, please make sure that your permanent address is up-to-date in your e-services account.

  Cover

  Diploma covers will be given out at the commencement ceremony.

  If you would like a cover and do not intend to participate in the ceremony, please stop by the Records and Registration Office once your degree is posted on your transcript.

• Frequently Asked Questions

  Tickets

  Do guests need tickets?

  • No, there is no physical tickets for this event

  Do international students need an invitation for family members traveling for the ceremony?

  • It is not required, but if your family does need an invitation for travel visa purposes, please contact Kate Hostnick-Harper

  Seating Accommodations

  If the graduate or guest needs special seating accommodations (disability), this can be selected on the RSVP form.

  Parking and Entrances

  Coon Rapids: Free parking in lots 1, 2, and 3. Use door 8 for the easiest access to the Performance Gym. View the campus map for more information. 

  Cambridge: The Cambridge Ceremony happens at the Cambridge-Isanti High School (CIHS) . Free parking in CIHS parking lot.  Parking availability will begin after 3:30 PM. Graduates/Guests are not permitted to enter the CIHS until 3:30 PM. 

  Guests

  How many guests can I bring? If there is a limit, can I go over? 

  • Graduates are allowed 4 guests. Space is limited, and we want to ensure every graduate is able to have loved ones present in the ceremony space. Seating is first come, first served. 
  • Additional guests will need to sit in one of the designated overflow areas, where live streaming will be available. A kid-friendly room will also be available for families who may need it.

  Ceremony

  How long is the ceremony?
  

  • The Coon Rapids Ceremony will last approximately 90 minutes.
  • The Cambridge Ceremony will last approximately 30-45 minutes.
    

  What can I/guests bring (and not bring) to the ceremony (ie: balloons, noisemakers, etc.)?

  • Prohibited: Noisemakers, balloons, or any items that could block the view or interfere with the sound system for other guests in the ceremony space and Anoka-Ramsey's livestream.
  • Allowed: Personal items like cameras, small bags, or programs, as long as they don't interfere with the ceremony. 
  • Graduates: We encourage you to leave personal belongings at home or with your family/guests as there will be no secure location for you to store them during the ceremony. 

  Where do guests find their graduate after the ceremony?

  • Coon Rapids: Guests should meet their graduate in the Field House G118 (where they checked-in). Please do not wait for family members in the hallway outside of the gym. 
  • Cambridge: Guests can find their graduates in the Lobby of the Performing Arts Center. 

  Reception

  Coon Rapids: Graduates and guests are welcome to gather and celebrate in the Field House following the ceremony. A selfie station will be available for photos. Water will be available. 

  Cambridge: A light reception with cookies will be provided after the ceremony. 

• Friends and Family Virtual Invitation

  Celebrate your accomplishments with friends and family! Download a virtual invitation for the Coon Rapids Campus and Cambridge Campus in the link below to send to loved ones. 

   

  Virtual Save the Date Invitation 

• Live Streaming, Captioning, and Transcription

  Coon Rapids and Cambridge Commencement Ceremonies will be live-streamed, captioned and transcribed. Overflow areas on the day of the event will also feature live streaming. Please check back closer to the ceremony date for the streaming links. 

  Watch an archived version of the 2025 live stream:

  Coon Rapids Campus: Anoka-Ramsey Community College Graduation 2025 (youtube.com)

  Cambridge Campus: Graduation 2025 - ARCC Cambridge Campus (youtube.com)

   

• Contacts

  Coon Rapids: graduationcr@anokaramsey.edu

  Cambridge: graduationcc@anokaramsey.edu

• Forms & Resources

  Program Completion Applications