Graduates and Families,
We are excited to celebrate commencement with you this year! Please find below the guidelines and requirements for attendance for graduates and guests of the Killington Commencement Ceremony.
- Day and Date: Saturday, June 20, 2026
- Time: 10:00 a.m.
- Place: Killington Resort K-1 Lodge
Important reminder: Alcohol is not allowed at commencement.
When Do Graduates Have To Be There?
You will be expected to arrive at K-1 Lodge by 9:00 a.m. on Saturday. Specific location will be announced at rehearsal on Friday.
How Long Does the Commencement Ceremony Last?
Typically, the ceremony lasts about one hour followed by refreshments. The length of time will vary based on the total number of graduates.
Who is Eligible to Attend the Ceremony?
You must be a matriculated, degree-seeking student and:
- Behave in a manner appropriate to the dignity of the occasion
- Have a 2.0 cumulative GPA (which may be higher for some majors), and a minimum of 120 credits for Bachelor candidates
- Meet residency requirements
- Meet all degree requirements in your catalog
- Wear academic regalia in order to process at Commencement
Please note: If your attendance plans have changed since you applied for a degree, please notify Kristel.Killary@VermontState.edu
Are There Tickets?
Your guests will need tickets in order to gain entrance to K-1 Lodge. Seats are not reserved, but tickets are required. Please note that tickets are only given to students who have indicated that they are attending commencement. Commencement tickets cannot be sold. Any violation will result in disciplinary action.
How many Tickets Are Allowed?
Please note that every student who wishes to participate in the Commencement ceremony will have seven tickets reserved under their name. These tickets will be available in the Killington Classrooms beginning May 4.
You must be on the list to graduate in order to pick up tickets.
Can’t Get to Campus to Pick-up Tickets?
You may request that your tickets be mailed to you by emailing Kristel.Killary@VermontState.edu. Requests must be received by May 18th, and tickets will be mailed by June 1. Be sure to include your full name, student ID number, phone number, and current mailing address.
Exchange Tickets
Students who do not need all seven tickets, can give them to students needing extra tickets. Tickets cannot be sold.
Is There Special Seating Available?
There will be a designated special seating area for guests who use a wheelchair, have difficulty walking from the parking lots to the ceremony, have vision problems, or have other disabilities.
Seating is limited to your disabled guest(s) and one other guest. Each “special seat” is included in, not in addition to, your original ticket allocation.
Please contact Kristel.Killary@VermontState.com to arrange this.
K-1 Lodge does have an elevator.
Are Caps and Gowns Required?
To participate in Commencement, you must wear a cap and gown. It is expected that all graduates will dress appropriately for the occasion.
Where Can Cap and Gown Orders be Placed?
All regalia will be shipped directly to the address you specify when you order.
You can buy your regalia by visiting vtsu.getugear.com to place your order beginning on March 30. Use the “Order Regalia Here” button at the top of the website and be sure to select “June 2026 Commencement Practical Nursing Students” on the order form. All orders will be shipped to home, and you have until May 3 to place your order.
**Please ensure you order through the Practical Nursing site, not the May commencement site. A link will be sent directly to all Practical Nursing students when it is time to place your order. **
Please be prepared to pay for the cap and gown when you place your order.
Cap and Gown Pickup
Caps and gowns will be shipped directly to students. You have until May 3 to place your order.
Where do Families Park?
There should be enough parking space for all the visitors. It’s recommended to carpool whenever possible. Public safety officials will be present before the ceremony to guide the guests to the available parking areas. Please enter from Route 66 straight onto campus. Shuttle service and/or accommodations will be available for those unable to walk distances. Please watch for signs to assisted parking.
Where do Graduates Park?
Students park in the same lots, A through E please.
If your car is in Morey Lot G or Keenan Lot H it will need to be moved by Friday, May 15. Thank you!
Are Pets Allowed?
Please leave your pet at home. Do not leave your pet in your vehicle. Only service animals are allowed at the commencement ceremony
Where Should Guests Make Hotel Reservations?
If you have out-of-town guests coming who will need to stay in the area, we suggest you make hotel reservations as soon as possible.
The MyPlace Hotel is conveniently located near campus.
A list of other area motels, hotels and bed & breakfasts can be found at Central Vermont Chamber of Commerce.
Will the Ceremony be Recorded or Live-Streamed?
Yes, the commencement will be live-streamed and recorded.
Please keep in mind that is contingent upon successful technical transmission of the feed, and cannot be guaranteed.
Will There be a Photographer?
In addition to the live-stream, a professional photographer will be onsite taking photographs.
Are Guests Allowed to Take Photos?
Guests taking photographs or taping, are asked to refrain from blocking the aisles or interfering with other guests’ views of the ceremony. Please be respectful of all graduates and guests, and comply with ushers’ requests.
Where Should Guests Make Hotel Reservations?
If you are an out-of-town guest who will need to stay in the area, we suggest staying at of our hotel partners:
Killington Grand Hotel
Killington’s only full-service mountainside hotel features convenient ski-bridge access to the slopes from December-March (snow conditions permitting). When the snow is gone, guests can use it to walk to the Bike Park and Snowshed Adventure Center, home of exciting summer attractions like the thrilling Beast Mountain Coaster, and a full-featured food court. Golfers will find the first tee of Killington’s 18-hole championship course a mere 200 yards from the front door. Enjoy our heated outdoor pool open year-round, lounge by the firepit and take in the natural beauty of the Green Mountains.
Guests of RHM students can use the following discount link: https://www.bookkillington.com/#/room?group=35H6HJ
Located across the street from The Lodge (RHM dorm) North Star Inn & Resort offers standard hotel rooms with a single king bed or two double beds, equipped with all the necessities and luxuries of home.
When Will Diplomas Arrive?
During the commencement ceremony, graduates will receive a diploma jacket with a congratulatory letter from the President. Diplomas are ordered during the summer after the final degree audits are completed. Diplomas will be mailed to graduates in mid-July to the address provided on the graduation application.
Please note that if you have an address change for mailing your diploma, kindly send an email to the Registrar’s Office at Registrar@VermontState.edu. This will ensure your diploma’s secure and timely delivery to the desired address.
How To Get Transcripts
For May graduates, transcripts will be available once final degree audits are completed by mid-June. To order a transcript, please visit Vermont State University Transcript Request.
It is important to note that you must have fulfilled all your financial obligations to the University to successfully place a transcript request.
Is There Anything That Might Effect Eligibility to Graduate?
The most common reasons why students end up being disappointed at the last minute are:
- Final cumulative average falls below 2.0
- Failure to complete degree requirements
- Transcripts not received from other colleges attended
- Incomplete grades not submitted
- Not passing the required graduation standards
What Does Graduating With Honors Mean?
Degrees with distinction (AKA “Honors”) are:
- Summa Cum Laude (cumulative GPA of 3.9 or higher)
- Magna Cum Laude (cumulative GPA of 3.7-3.89)
- Cum Laude (cumulative GPA of 3.5-3.69)
Cumulative GPA is based on work completed at VTSU, and students must have completed a minimum of at least 50% of the total graded credits required for graduation at the Vermont State University to qualify for degrees with distinction.
How to Know if You Are Graduating With Honors
Actual honors will be determined by your final cumulative GPA (as of June 2026) and will be indicated on your diploma. If you have achieved the GPA required for distinction as of March 2026, you will receive a gold tassel the morning of graduation.
Will Graduate Name Be Listed in the Commencement Program?
Yes.
What if VTSU is Still Owed Money?
By Saturday, June 20, 2026, please make sure that all of your outstanding accounts at VTSU are paid or resolved. Diplomas and transcripts will be delayed if you have any outstanding account balances.
How to Handle Student Loans
If you have received a Federal Student Loan, which includes a Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized and/or Perkins Loan, it is mandatory to complete exit counseling if you are graduating or dropping below half-time enrollment. This requirement is applicable for the Federal Direct Loan program and can be completed online.
- Visit https://studentloans.gov
- Log in using your FSA ID
- Select “Complete Loan Counseling”
- Choose “Exit Counseling” from the selections
- Click “Start”
The session will take about 20-30 minutes to complete. If you have questions regarding your Federal Direct Loans, please contact Student Financial Services at 802.468.6070.
Graduating seniors must make arrangements with residence hall staff to check out of their residence hall room by 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 21, 2026. There will be further information provided regarding each residence halls check out procedure in June. Regular meal service will end with dinner on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.
Alumni Association
Once you graduate, you are an official member of the Alumni Association. Some of the benefits of being a member include the alumni online community, group savings on home and auto insurance, continued use of the library, free admission at athletic events, continued support from Career Services, and invitations to regional alumni socials. Stay connected with your alma mater through the Alumni Association!
For general commencement information, contact Kristel Killary, RHM Program Coordinator, at Kristel.Killary@VermontState.edu. She will be happy to talk to you!
If you have questions about your eligibility to graduate, please contact the University Registrar’s Office at Registrar@VermontState.edu.