
2026 Folsom Lake College Commencement
Please join us in celebrating Folsom Lake College's Class of 2026 in person:
- Thursday, May 21, 2026
- Two Ceremonies*: 3:00 pm and 6:30 pm
- Main Folsom Campus, Harris Center for the Arts, Stage 1
*Due to the large size of our graduating class, Commencement will be held in two ceremonies to ensure each graduate may invite at least three guests.
Graduates will be assigned to a ceremony alphabetically by last name:
- A–J: 3:00 pm ceremony
- K–Z: 6:30 pm ceremony
Additional scheduling considerations may apply in select cases.
All Summer and Fall 2025 graduates and Spring 2026 candidates received an email on April 16, 2026, with more information and a link to RSVP for Commencement.
General Information
Who is eligible to participate?
Summer and Fall 2025 graduates and Spring 2026 candidates (who have petitioned for an associate degree by the Friday, March 6, 2026 deadline) may participate in the Thursday, May 21, 2026 ceremony.
Students who meet the above requirements were emailed directly on April 16, 2026, with information on Commencement, the time of their assigned ceremony, and a link to RSVP.
Note: Registration to participate in the 2026 Commencement Ceremony has closed.
Can I try out to be the student speaker?
One graduate will be selected as the student speaker for each ceremony. Tryouts will be held on Friday, May 1. Please consider sharing your story and celebrating with your fellow graduates as our student speaker!
For questions, please contact Student Life Supervisor Tony Humphreys at Tony.Humphreys@flc.losrios.edu.
Note: The student speakers have been selected. Thank you to those who auditioned.
What if a graduate has final exams scheduled during the commencement ceremony?
Historically final exams have been scheduled until 9:00 to 10:00 pm on the last day of classes. Faculty have been asked to work with graduates to accommodate an alternate date and time to take the test. This should be the same practice for this year’s two commencement ceremonies. Graduates are encouraged to make plans with their instructors.
Will the ceremonies be livestreamed?
Yes- the ceremonies will be live-streamed via YouTube for those who are unable to attend in person!
Before the Event FAQs
Do I need to RSVP to participate?
Yes. Registration is mandatory in order to participate. All graduates were emailed a link to an online registration form for their specific ceremony time. The deadline to RSVP is Sunday, May 3, by 11:59 pm.
Note: Registration to participate in the 2026 Commencement Ceremony has closed.
What if I cannot attend my assigned ceremony time?
If you cannot attend the assigned ceremony time you received via email, please contact us at commencement@flc.losrios.edu.
How many guests can I bring? Where do I pick up my tickets?
Number of Tickets
Each graduate who has RSVP’d to participate in one of the Commencement ceremonies can receive three guest tickets to attend their assigned ceremony. Note: Tickets are required for guests. Graduates participating in the ceremony do not need a ticket.
Additional Tickets
Additional tickets may be requested by graduates on a space-available basis by completing the Additional Ticket Request section of the RSVP form. Grads will receive an email on Friday, May 8, 2026, confirming whether their request has been approved.
Ticket Pick-Up
Tickets will be available for pickup at the Welcome and Student Success Center on the main campus in Aspen Hall/FL1 starting Monday, May 11, 2026, at 10:00 am.
More Information
- Tickets are free of charge and cannot be bought or sold.
- Children under the age of three who will sit on a guardian's lap during the ceremony do not require a ticket.
- The ticket must have a valid barcode to gain entry.
- Each ceremony has its own specific ticket. Guests cannot use a ticket for one ceremony to enter another ceremony.
- Commencement will be livestreamed for those that cannot attend.
Where do I get my regalia (cap and gown)?
In order to participate in the ceremony, all graduates must be in full regalia. The bundle price (cap, gown, and tassel) is $43.00. The cap, tassel, and gown (teal mortarboard, teal and black tassel, and teal robe) are then yours to keep and are the required attire for the ceremony.
Note: Graduates who walk in the ceremony will receive a complimentary diploma cover.
Regalia Decoration
- Students may decorate their caps. All decorations must be appropriate and respectful for the occasion.
- Students may wear tassels, stoles, or cords representing other student programs/affiliations that they are involved in, such as Phi Theta Kappa, Veterans, EOPS, student government, athletics, etc, as well as other Los Rios cultural celebrations they participated in.
- Students may wear leis.
I can't afford regalia. What should I do?
The Falcon Cares' Gowns for Grads program supports students in need with free access to graduation caps and gowns. Caps and gowns are provided through the generosity of donors and recent FLC graduates; availability may be limited. Contact Alina Kravchuk at kravcha@flc.losrios.edu.
Event Day FAQs
What time should I arrive?
Ceremony One (Starting at 3:00 pm)
Graduates: Graduates need to check in between 1:30 to 2:15 pm at the Harris Center near the Black Box (view map). You must be in the Harris Center Black Box by 2:30 pm to participate in the run-through prior to the ceremony.
Guests: Doors to Harris Center's Stage 1 (view map) will open at 2:00 pm for guests.
Ceremony Two (Starting at 6:30 pm)
Graduates: Graduates need to check in between 5:00 to 5:45 pm at the Harris Center near the Black Box (view map). You must be in the Harris Center Black Box by 6:00 pm to participate in the run-through prior to the ceremony.
Guests: Doors to Harris Center's Stage 1 (view map) will open at 5:30 pm for guests.
Where do I park? And do I need to pay for parking?
Parking is free on the day of Commencement — a semester or daily parking permit is not required. All graduates and guests should park in student parking. Be sure to follow all other parking rules, such as only parking in handicapped spots if you have the appropriately issued placard and no parking in fire or loading zones, as these violations could result in a ticket.
Will photos or videos be taken?
Yes! There will be:
- Live stream coverage of the ceremonies will be available (URLs to come).
- Ultimate Exposures will take professional photos during the ceremonies. Graduates will receive information on how to order.
- There will also be an FLC-branded backdrop set up outside the Harris Center lobby for graduates to take their own photographs before and after the ceremonies.
How do I get my diploma?
Summer and Fall 2025 graduates
Diplomas have already been distributed to all 2025 graduates. You will receive a diploma cover when your name is read and you cross the stage at the ceremony. Note: Diploma covers are only given to graduates who participate in the ceremony.
Spring 2026 degree candidates
You will not receive your diploma at the commencement ceremony; however, you will receive a diploma cover. After Spring 2026 grades are submitted, degrees will be posted by early September. Diplomas should be mailed/ready for pick up in early November. Please be sure to notify the Evaluations Department at flc-evaluations@flc.losrios.edu of any change of address.
Diploma Covers
Please note: Diploma covers are available only to students who participate in a Commencement Ceremony.
What items are prohibited?
For safety, sustainability, and security reasons, certain items are prohibited in the Harris Center for the Arts, such as, but not limited to, the following:
- Flowers
- Balloons (mylar and latex)
- Silly string
- Confetti and glitter
- Any noise-making devices (i.e., air horns, whistles, drums, plastic horns, etc.)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Weapons and dangerous devices of any kind
Please Note: FLC is Alcohol, Drug, & Smoke-Free
Folsom Lake College is committed to maintaining a drug, alcohol, smoke, vape, and tobacco-free campus. Please see the college's Alcohol, Drug, and Smoking Policies.
Students participating must adhere to the Student Standards of Conduct. For the safety of everyone participating, students who violate these standards, including those found to be in the possession of or under the influence of alcohol or drugs, will not be allowed to participate in the Commencement ceremonies. Los Rios Police will also be on site.
Questions
If you have additional questions after reviewing the information on this webpage, please email commencement@flc.losrios.edu.
We look forward to celebrating with our graduates, their families, and friends on May 21!