Randolph & Williston Commencement

Guest Speaker Information Coming Soon

Check back to learn who the guest speaker will be for 2026!

How Many Guests Are Allowed?

Although no tickets are required for VTSU Randolph’s commencement ceremony, graduates are encouraged to invite no more than six to eight guests to the commencement. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Is There Special Seating Available?

Yes, some students have guests who require special assistance during the ceremony. To accommodate them, we remove chairs and make space for wheelchairs under the tent.

Limitations to seating may arise in the case of adverse weather conditions, and the University will communicate relevant information through official social media channels.

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 a Date TBB.

Please be prepared to pay for the cap and gown when you place your order.

LPN Students

Please do not order regalia unless you are told to do so by Darlene Jones.

Undergraduates

Do not order a hood.

Master’s Graduates

You can also have regalia shipped to your home. However, for gowns ordered after April 1, there is no guarantee that the shipment will arrive on time.

Please do not forget to order a hood. The complete regalia package (cap, gown, hood, and tassel) costs $74.90. Hoods will be distributed at the ceremony. For more information, please contact the University Gear Shop directly at 802.468.1229.

Cap and Gown Pickup

Caps and gowns will be shipped directly to students.

Where do Families Park?

As most underclassmen won’t be on campus, 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. 

Nursing Pinning Ceremonies

Please see your site director regarding these important details.

For December Graduates

December graduates are invited to participate in the May ceremony. We do not hold a separate December ceremony.

Will There Be a Photographer?

During the graduation ceremony, a professional photographer from Graduation Images will take a photo of each graduate receiving their diploma folder. A week after the ceremony, Graduation Images will mail a passport-sized, full-color proof of the photo to the graduate’s home address. There is no obligation to purchase the photo. However, if you wish to order prints of the photo, Graduation Images offers a variety of enlargement packages. For more information, please contact Graduation Images at www.gradimages.com. 

Are Guests Allowed to Take Photos?

Guests are welcome to take photographs during the ceremony. However, we kindly ask that you stay behind any ropes and avoid blocking the aisles or interfering with other guests’ views of the ceremony. Please be respectful of all graduates and guests. Also, there will be plenty of opportunity to take photographs at the reception after the ceremony.

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 May 2026) and will be indicated on your diploma. If you have achieved the GPA required for distinction as of December 2025, you will receive a gold tassel preceding the commencement ceremony.

How to Inform the Dean of Name Pronunciation

Call x71498 from a campus phone, or (802) 728-1498 from a cell phone or off campus phone and follow the instructions provided on the line.

What if VTSU is Still Owed Money?

By Saturday, May 16, 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.

Alumni Association

Once you graduate, you become an official member of the Alumni Association. As a member, you can enjoy several benefits such as access to the alumni online community, group discounts on home and auto insurance, continued use of the library, free admission to athletic events, ongoing support from Career Services, and invitations to regional alumni socials. Stay connected with your alma mater by joining the Alumni Association!

Graduate Survey

As a recent graduate of VTSU Randolph, you should receive a postcard from Career Services by late fall 2025. The postcard will contain a link to a quick Graduate Survey. The survey aims to gather information about your current job search and if there is anything we can do to assist you. If you have updated your contact details since your graduation, please feel free to let us know by emailing us at Careers@VermontState.edu.

For general Commencement information, contact Cara Hill, Cara.Hill@VermontState.edu, or 802.728.1212. For logistical questions, contact Hilary Linehan, Hilary.Linehan@VermontState.edu, or 802.728.1794. They 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.