Graduation

There are no tickets for the Commencement ceremony, but we do ask that grads invite no more than 8 guests. Seating is on a first come, first served basis. Doors open at 5:30 pm. If a graduate or guest needs accessible seating accommodations, please call 208-535-5673.

Yes. All students who wish to walk across the stage at Commencement must wear CEI blue regalia. Regalia can be purchased through Jostens or rented through the Registrar’s office.

Gowns must be fully zipped up while walking across the stage. Caps should be worn on the top of your head and not be pinned to the back of your head. Hoods are for students graduating with an associate degree and is worn with the longer side with the stripes on your back.

Regalia can be ordered online through Jostens. Ensure you choose the correct “collection” according to which degree you are graduating with as there are a few differences between each package: Associate or Certificate or Apprenticeship.

All items purchased from Jostens are yours to keep. Purchased caps can be decorated for the ceremony but do not use derogatory language or images. Rented caps cannot be decorated.

Please be aware of ordering deadlines to receive regalia before the day of Commencement:

• Last Day to order Associate Regalia: 4/6/26 (Ships within 5 weeks)
• Last Day to order Certificate and Apprentice Regalia: 4/20/26 (Ships within 3 weeks)

The CEI Registrar’s Office rents a limited number of associates and certificate regalia - caps, gowns, and hoods (hoods are for associates only). The rental program begins in March and is open until supplies run out.

• There is a flat $15 rental fee that is used to dry clean regalia after rentals are returned.
• Regalia is available on a first come, first served basis and no reservations via email or telephone are accepted.
  • Students must come in person to sign a rental agreement form and pay the fee to receive regalia rentals. The Registrar’s office is located in bldg. 3 rm. 353 and is open Mon-Fri between 8-5.
• Rentals are due back to the Registrar's office by the end of May.
  • If rentals are not returned by this date, a hold will be placed on the student's account restricting transcript orders until it is returned.
• Rented regalia may not be modified, decorated, or self-cleaned. Do not put gowns or caps in a washer or dryer. Do not decorate a rented cap or gown.
• Do not iron gowns. If wrinkles are present, you may use Febreze or a steamer. You can also run a hot shower and let the gown hang in the steamed room to help wrinkles fall out.
• Rentals do not include tassels, honor cords, stoles or other regalia accessories.

Honor cords, tassels, stoles, leis, and other traditional accessories may be purchased and worn at Commencement. Caps are allowed to be decorated if purchased, but not if rented. Please no derogatory language or imagery.

• Honor cords depend on cumulative GPA as of the last completed semester at CEI. (ex. Spring grad's GPA's will be calculated as of the previous Fall semester).
  • Silver cord: 3.5 - 3.749 GPA
  • Gold cord: 3.75 - 4.0 GPA
• If you are a Veteran, visit the Registrar’s office to pick up a free red, white and blue cord to honor your service.
• If you are an Early College student, the Early College department will give you an Early College cord. Please reach out to Katie Fonnesbeck for information.
• If you are a member of Phi Theta Kappa or Student Senate, please reach out to Bailey Winn for information on PTK and Student Senate pins and stoles.

If you have questions about an accessory not listed here, please contact the Registrar’s
office to verify if it is ok to wear.

As long as you submitted a graduation application before the beginning of April, your name, degree, program, and honors distinctions will appear on the print and digital Commencement program that is available for event guests. If you are a part of PTK or Student Senate, that membership will also be notated next to your name.

If you submitted a graduation application after the beginning of April, there is a chance your information will not be included in the program due to printing deadlines.

Graduating students need to arrive at the Mountain America Center no later than 6:30 pm as the ceremony begins promptly at 7 pm.

Students will pick up their name cards at the table in the hallway while guests will seat themselves in the auditorium. Students will keep the name cards with them, check them for spelling, and make notes on pronunciation if needed so the announcer pronounces their name correctly.

Students will line up with their fellow program graduates (signs are provided indicating where to line up) and will follow the CEI staff members directions when it is time to proceed into the auditorium. After the processional music stops, students will sit at their seats and the program will begin.

When it is time for graduates to walk across the stage and receive their diploma cover, CEI staff members will direct one row at a time to stand and line up for the stage crossing. Students will hand their name cards to the announcer, walk across the stage, then return to their seats.

Once the ceremony is complete, students will leave the auditorium row by row in a recessional that will take them outside the Mountain America Center where guests may meet them for photos and congratulations.

A diploma cover is a leather cover that protects the official diploma once it comes in the mail. You will receive one free cover when you walk across the stage. If you are not able to attend Commencement (or if you are graduating with more than one degree or certificate), you can obtain one by attending Grad Fest or by visiting the Registrar’s office.

The following items are prohibited due to Mountain America Center Policy:

1. Balloons, confetti cannons, glitter, glass vases, & noisemakers of any kind.
2. Weapons of any kind – including pocketknives, guns, tasers, etc.
3. All outside food/beverages. (Candy leis are allowed.)
4. Any items related to or used for smoking, vaping, or tobacco use.
5. Animals- except for service animals as defined by the American Disabilities Act.

No, CEI does not live stream nor record the ceremony. Guests may record, livestream, and take photos as long as there is no flash or disruption to those around them. Guests can not stand in front of others who are seated nor can they stand in the aisles during the ceremony.