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Congratulations  Prospective 2025 Hartnell Graduates! 


Join us at the 2025 Commencement Ceremony
Friday, May 23, 2025
4:00 p.m. promptly

Rabobank Stadium
1034 N Main Street
Salinas, CA 93906

 

Hartnell Graduates

Commencement Information

Last Update: April 24, 2025

Make sure to watch the Orientation Video prior to the ceremony! This will include all the information you need with details of what to expect that day, including parking, arrival, seating, and much more.

  • Guests must use the main entrance to enter.
  • Strollers, confetti, balloons, and other large signage will not be allowed in the stadium.
  • All guests (3 years and above) are required to have a ticket.
  • All guest must use the main entrance.
  • No fresh flower leis allowed on the field.
  • Guests must remain seated during the entire ceremony.

Graduating students can pick up their commencement tickets from Monday, May 5, through Friday, May 16, 2025, at the Admissions and Records Office (Building B, first floor).

Tickets will only be available during the following times:

Mondays & Wednesdays: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Tuesdays & Thursdays: 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Fridays: 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Each graduate will receive six (6) tickets. Please note that you are responsible for your guest tickets. Lost or stolen tickets will not be replaced.

At this time, no additional tickets are available.

  • Carpooling is encouraged as parking is limited.
  • Traffic will be heavy during the commencement ceremony. All attendees are encouraged to plan appropriately and prepare for additional time for travel.
  • Staff will be on site to direct traffic to appropriate parking areas.

This year, there will be a designated drop-off area for graduates on the North side of the venue. Graduates can also use the main entrance.

  • The commencement ceremony event is wheelchair accessible. Individuals requiring accommodations should contact the Office of Student Life as soon as possible.
  • Accommodations will be accessible to the person needing accommodations, plus one (1) person. The accommodations area is located to the immediate right side of the stadium entrance. Designated signage will be posted.

A graduation checklist will be emailed to students two weeks prior to commencement.

Regalia

Regalia will be available for purchase in the Bookstore on and after April 29, 2025.

  • Regalia will be sold as a bundle and will include the gown, tassel, and cap
  • Caps and tassels can be purchased separately
  • Gowns are only sold as a bundle

Honors cords and stoles of gratitude will be available for purchase in the Hartnell Bookstore on a first-come-first-served basis.

Honors cords are for students on the honors list (3.25 GPA or above). 

Stoles of gratitude are for students to gift to an individual(s) who assisted and influenced your academic success. It is intended for the graduate to wear the stole of gratitude to then be gifted after the ceremony. 

Bookstore hours:  Monday-Thursday 9:00am - 5:00pm, Friday 9:00am - 1:00pm

Graduates are allowed to decorate their cap. Decorations should be respectful in content and lay flat on the cap.

Frequently Asked Questions

Each ticket admits one (1) person age 3 and up. Guests under 3 years old must share seating with parent or guardian.

Tickets will be limited due to the increased number of graduates. As commencement nears, we will contact graduates if there is an opportunity to obtain more tickets. Graduates do not need a ticket to attend the ceremony, only guests.

Graduates should plan to be at venue 4 hours and are required to participate for the duration of the event. The ceremony usually takes 2 hours, start to finish.

Graduates are required to wear full regalia. Due to unpredictable weather conditions of the Salinas Valley, we recommend graduates and guests to prepare for both sunny and cloudy/windy weather.

NOTE: The venue strictly forbids the use of pointy heels and fresh flower lei, and fresh flowers on the turf.