Commencement
2026 Commencement Information
A commencement ceremony is a formal event celebrating college graduation, where students are recognized for completing their degrees and take part in traditions marking their transition to alumni.
Schedule for May 8, 2026 Commencement
Nurse Pinning begins at 1:00 PM
Commencement begins at 7:00 PM
Pronghorn Center – Gillette College
3807 College Dr, Gillette, WY 82718
FAQ for Graduates
Students wishing to participate in commencement must complete their graduation application through Self-Service: https://nwccdss.sheridan.edu/Student/Student/Graduation
This application must be completed before April 15, 2026, if you want your name printed in the Commencement Program.
Yes, you must wear an institution-approved cap and gown. You may pick up your regalia from the Enrollment Office in the Main building from May 4 until May 8.
Appropriate clothing is required underneath your regalia. Graduates should know that their procession begins at the Main Building and goes to Pronghorn Center, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
Yes. On Thursday, May 7, in the Pronghorn Center. It will take approximately 30-45 minutes.
- Nurse Pinning at 11 AM
- Commencement at 4:30 PM
For the Pinning Ceremony, Nursing Graduates arrive at Pronghorn Center no later than 12:45 PM. Come to the center of the Pronghorn Center Court in front of the stage.
For Commencement, graduates arrive at Main Building Commons. It will be open beginning at 4 PM until 6:20 PM for you to check in and receive your stage name card. You will begin lining up in your degree section (2×2) at 6:30 PM. Then you will walk with your fellow graduates from the Main Building to the Pronghorn Center to begin the ceremony! Wear comfortable shoes; the walk from the hallway to your seat is over 1/4 mile.
Nurse Pinning and Commencement can vary, but they are typically 60-90 minutes in length.
Yes! Family and friends are welcome and encouraged to attend. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis until capacity is reached. The ceremony will also be live-streamed.
Yes, please enjoy cake and cookies immediately following the ceremony.
Bins will be in the upper level of Pronghorn Center near the southeast exit doors.
The gown is borrowed, but the cap is our gift to you, so feel free to decorate your graduation cap (please keep it appropriate)! Return your gown to one of the designated bins in the Pronghorn Center or Inspiration Hall following the ceremony.
Can't make Commencement but still want to view the event?
FAQ for Event Attendees
Doors open for the Nurse Pinning ceremony at 12:00 PM
Doors open for Commencement at 6:00 PM
Please enter using the Main Entrance on the southeast side of the Pronghorn Center (all other doors will not permit admittance).
The Pronghorn Center Parking Lot, Tanner Village Parking Lot, and Gillette College Main Building (which requires a short walk to Pronghorn Center) are all available. Look for signage and refer to the campus map you can download HERE
Please enter using the Main Entrance on the southeast side of the Pronghorn Center (all other doors will not permit admittance).
Yes, Sinclair Street will be closed for approximately 20-30 minutes before the beginning of Commencement to allow graduates to process from the Main Building to the Pronghorn Center. Please plan your route accordingly.
The following is a list of prohibited items at Commencement:
- Coolers and containers
- Signage of any kind
- Balloons
- Plastic or metallic confetti
- Packages (e.g., gifts, boxes)
- Large umbrellas
- Tobacco and e-cigarettes
- Alcoholic beverages
- Weapons
- Fireworks
- Noisemakers
- Glitter
- Orbeez
Nurse Pinning and Commencement can vary, but they are typically 60-90 minutes in length.
Yes! Family and friends are welcome and encouraged to attend. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Seating for the Commencement Ceremony in the Pronghorn Center is limited. Once the facility reaches capacity, no additional guests will be admitted in order to comply with fire safety regulations.
Guests may be turned away if capacity is reached. We encourage early arrival to ensure seating.
No, tickets are not required. Seating is available on a first come, first served basis.
Yes, there is a designated area for accessible seating on both the Pronghorn Center floor and some wheelchair-accessible seating on the Pronghorn Center Track. We encourage guests to arrive early.
Yes, the interpreter will be located stage right.
No, you may bring as many guests as you like. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Only Service Animals are permitted to attend the Nurse Pinning and Commencement ceremonies.
Business casual attire is always suggested but not required. Uneven surfaces such as stairs, concrete paths, and lawn areas are common on campus. Late spring weather is variable. Graduates should be aware that their procession begins at the Main Building and goes to Pronghorn Center, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
Yes! There are many water refilling stations on our campus.
Yes! Gillette Public Access TV will be broadcasting the Nurse Pinning Ceremony and Commencement. You can watch here at the time of each ceremony: https://play.champds.com/gillettewy/live/7
Please note that the Northeast Wyoming Airport in Gillette is suspending flights from April 6 to May 21, 2026. View more information HERE.
Countdown to Commencement 2026
Graduation Headshots
To order select your photo, press “BUY PHOTO” button, and then you can select a package to build, digitals, or individual prints.
(Packages are not required to purchase; you can just purchase individual items if you would like)
Digital Images come with a print release for your personal use, and can also be posted/used online.
You can select “I’ll pick up” to have your pictures delivered to Gillette College for pickup. Pick Up option will be available until MAY 26th. After that, you can have prints shipped to your home. Pictures will be delivered to the college for pickup once pictures come in, no later than June 2nd.
The gallery will be open until the end of June.
If you do select shipping to your home, please make sure to enter a street address and not a PO Box, the lab will not ship to PO Boxes.
Prints and shipping are through a lab and not personally printed by the photographer, so any crops and orders go straight to the lab. You must select “I’ll pick up” for college pickup. Orders are unable to be changed once they are placed.
Password: grad
