CLC Commencement Ceremonies 2025
Central Lakes College commencement ceremonies are held once each year in May. Graduates who complete their final program in the Fall 2024, Spring 2025, or Summer 2025 term are invited to attend the May 2025 ceremony. Participation is voluntary.
Guests (maximum of four guests per graduate)
Tickets are not required for the ceremonies. Graduates are asked to limit their in-person guests to four people, because the ceremonies will fill to capacity. The ceremonies will be broadcast live for remote viewing.
Note: Because of the Brainerd Campus Renovation Project, guests are asked to park in the North, South and West paring lots. Guests may use doors 4, 24 and 26 for entrance to the building. Graduates may park in the campus East lot and use door 11.
Brainerd Campus Renovation Project
Missed Grad Wrap?
You may still pick up your cap, gown and tassel between Wednesday, April 30 and Friday, May 2.
Stop by the
Brainerd Campus Welcome Center (inside of door 4)
or
Staples Campus Main Office
Please make sure that you have applied to graduate before coming to pick up your gown, cap and tassel.
For more information on commencement, and a link for students to use to apply to graduate, please visit https://www.clcmn.edu/registration/graduation/
Updated: April 23, 2025
Staples Campus – Practical Nursing Pinning/Commencement
Wednesday, May 14 at 2:00
Practical Nursing Diploma
Staples Campus – Career & Technical Programs
Wednesday, May 14 at 5:00pm
Advanced Farm Business Management Certificate
Agricultural Crop Production and Management
Agricultural Commodities Marketing Certificate
Agricultural Science A.S. Degree
Applications in Farm Business Management Certificate
CNC Technologies Diploma/A.A.S. Degree
Current Issues in Farm Business Management Certificate
Diesel Equipment Technician Diploma/A.A.S. Degree
Essentials of Farm Business Management Certificate
Heavy Equipment Operation & Maintenance Diploma
Machine Operations Diploma
Meat Cutting & Butchery Diploma
Mechatronics Diploma
Robotic Human Machine Interface Adv. Certificate
Robotic Manufacturing Certificate
Robotic Offline Programming Advanced Certificate
Robotic Vision Advanced Certificate
Robotic Welding Advanced Certificate
Robotic Welding Certificate
Robotics/Automated Systems Technology Diploma/A.A.S. Degree
Specialty Crops Management Diploma
Brainerd Campus – Career & Technical Programs
Thursday, May 15 at 5:00pm
Accountant Diploma/A.A.S. Degree
Animal Science Core Concepts Certificate
Automotive Technology Diploma/A.A.S. Degree
Bookkeeping Certificate
Business Assistant Certificate
Entrepreneurship Certificate
Business Management A.A.S. Degree
Business Transfer Pathway A.S. Degree
Computer IT Security and Networking Diploma/A.A.S. Degree
Computer CompTIA Certificate
Computer Microsoft Office Professional Certificate
Conservation Officer Preparation A.A.S. Degree
Criminal Justice A.A.S. Degree
Criminal Justice Certificate (Advanced)
Dental Assisting Diploma/A.A.S. Degree
Early Childhood Ed. Transfer Pathway A.S. Degree
Early Childhood Education Certificate/Diploma/A.A.S. Degree
Emergency Medical Response Technician Certificate
Entrepreneurship Certificate
Graphic Design Diploma/A.A.S. Degree
Graphic Design Media Technologies Diploma
Healthcare Accounting A.A.S. Degree
Healthcare Administrative Specialist Certificate/Diploma/A.A.S. Degree
Horticulture A.A.S. Degree
Human Services A.A.S. Degree
Human Services Technician Diploma
Individualized Studies A.A.S. Degree/Diploma
Management Diploma
Marine and Powersports Diploma
MN Peace Officer Skills Certificate
Natural Resources Conservation Certificate
Natural Resources Technology A.A.S. Degree
Nursing Assistant
Occupational Skills Diploma
Pre-Social Work Transfer Pathway A.S. Degree
Sustainable Greenhouse Production Diploma
Sustainable Landscaping Diploma
Sustainable Local Food Certificate
Welding and Fabrication Diploma/A.A.S. Degree
Wildlife Tourism Certificate
Brainerd Campus – Nursing Pinning/Commencement
Friday, May 16 at 2:00pm
Nursing A.S. Degree (Advanced Standing)
Nursing A.S. Degree (Traditional)
Brainerd Campus – Liberal Arts & Sciences
Friday, May 16 at 5:00pm
A.A. Degree (Transfer/General Education)
Art Transfer Pathway A.F.A. Degree
Athletic Coaching Certificate
Biology Transfer Pathway A.S. Degree
Chemistry Transfer Pathway A.S. Degree
Communication Studies Transfer Pathway A.A. Degree
Deaf Studies Certificate
Economics Transfer Pathway A.A. Degree
English Transfer Pathway A.A. Degree
Environmental Studies Certificate
Exercise Science Transfer Pathway A.S. Degree
Global Studies Certificate
Health Sciences Broad Field A.S. Degree
History Transfer Pathway A.A. Degree
Honors Certificate
Jazz Studies Certificate
Latin American Studies Certificate
Music A.F.A Degree
Music Performance Certificate
Music Technology A.F.A Degree/Certificate
Political Science Transfer Pathway A.A. Degree
Psychology Transfer Pathway A.A. Degree
Sociology Transfer Pathway A.A. Degree
Spanish Transfer Pathway A.A. Degree
Women’s Studies Certificate
Question 1: Will my guests need tickets to the graduation ceremony?
Tickets are not required for the commencement ceremonies.
Question 2: How many guests are allowed per graduate?
Graduates are asked to limit their in-person guests to four people, because the ceremonies will fill to capacity.
Question 3: Maximum guests?
Maximum of four (4) guests per graduate
Question 4: What if guests need accessible seating?
Guests who require accessible seating should contact the CLC Accessibility Services at 218-855-8175 at least 48 hours in advance of the event.
Question 5: Are there assigned seats for guests?
No. All seating is general admission (first-come, first-served), and specific seats and/or consecutive seats are not guaranteed. If our facility reaches capacity, guests will be redirected to overflow viewing areas.
Question 10: Will CLC commencement events be streamed live?
Yes, CLC commencement ceremonies will also be streamed live on CLC Broadcasting YouTube channel.
Video – Live Streaming
Watch the live stream for all events on YouTube.
Photography
Central Lakes College is planning to provide professional photos of each graduate during the ceremony. These high-quality photos will be available to download for free the morning following the ceremony. Please check your CLC email account for link and password to access your photos.
Other photo options
There will be several photo opportunities before and after the ceremony. Graduates can take photos at one of several photo stations/photo backgrounds throughout the campus or outside.
CLC reserves the right to make changes in the commencement plans. Please check this webpage for further updates.
All students planning to graduate in academic year 2024-25 must complete an application to graduate. Information on Graduation Requirements
Grad Wrap 2025
Brainerd Campus
Monday, April 21
(cafeteria)
11 am to 1 pm
Brainerd Campus
Tuesday, April 22
(cafeteria)
11 am to 1 pm
Staples Campus
Wednesday, April 23
(cafeteria)
11:30 am to 1 pm
Students who want their names included in the official 2025 CLC commencement program must have submitted their Application for Graduation form by no later than Friday, March 31 at 4 pm.
For more information on commencement, and a link for students to use to apply to graduate, please visit https://www.clcmn.edu/registration/graduation/
Your graduation experience will be rewarding. Complete your CLC experience with Grad Wrap — the one-stop-shop to prepare for graduation. Pick up cap and gown, learn about loan exit plans, check graduation status, receive placement survey information, join the Alumni Association, and more!
FREE EVENT!
No sign-up required!