Houston Community College’s annual graduation ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 14 from 9am-noon at NRG Stadium.

President and CEO of the Houston Texans Jamey Rootes will be the keynote speaker at commencement.

The ceremony registration deadline is extended until Friday, May 6.

Register online.

Walking across the stage is not required in order for students to receive their degree. Last year, HCC awarded 12,949 degrees and certificates, but only 2,200 students walked the stage, meaning that less than one out of every five HCC graduates participated in commencement.

All graduating students must wear the official HCC regalia: a black graduation robe and cap. Students can purchase regalia at any HCC Bookstore through Thursday, May 12 for about $50. Regalia can also be purchased at the rehearsal on May 13 and the morning of the ceremony on May 14.

The HCC Alumni Association is also hosting a free Graduation Celebration for the class of 2016 on May 6 at 6pm at the West Loop campus auditorium. The event will have food, music, an inspirational speaker and giveaways. RSVP required: http://bit.ly/1SFbfH0

HCC is holding a rehearsal on Friday, May 13 at 6pm at NRG Stadium, parking will be free at rehearsal. If students cannot attend rehearsal on Friday, they can still walk on Saturday.

On the morning of the ceremony, graduates should arrive at 6:30 am and park in the Blue Lot (Kirby Dr. at Westridge). On Saturday parking will be $12.

After students check-in, they will receive a pre-printed registration card and will be asked to verify that all information is correct. Staff will be in in the staging area to assist students with seating arrangements and answer any questions.

The ceremony will include a speech from Josue Rodriguez, who is the student body president for all of HCC as the United Student Council President. Ivan Lopez will be leading the pledges to the flags at the ceremony. Lopez is the President of HCC’s Omega Sigma Chapter of the international Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

There will also be speeches from college administrators before the keynote address from Rootes.

Official graduation instructions ask that students to be prompt in reaching the center of the stage and in proceeding to exit off the stage, and to follow all staff instructions.

Students are asked to return to their seats after walking across the stage and to remain seated until the conclusion of the ceremony. In previous years, it’s been common for many students to leave after walking.

‌There will be a separate graduation ceremony for Houston Community College’s GED graduates.

All students in HCC’s Adult Education Program who have successfully completed the GED exam are encouraged to participate in the commencement ceremony on Wednesday, May 11 at 6:30 pm at the Central campus San Jacinto Building Auditorium.

Students are asked to check-in at the San Jac room 112 no later than 5:30pm

Only the names of students who registered for the GED graduation before April 24 will be printed on the program. However, students who register after April 24 are still able to walk across the stage.

GED Student can register online here.

GED graduation caps and gowns can be purchased at the Central campus bookstore.

Three $1,000 HCC scholarships will be awarded to three GED graduates who are present at the ceremony.

Scholarship winners can use $500 in the fall 2016 and $500 in the spring 2017 semesters. Any unused portion of the scholarship will revert back to the HCC Foundation at the close of the Spring 2017 semester.