Winter Commencement 2026

Commencement

Congratulations, Graduates!  

Winter 2026 Commencement will be held on December 13

Date: Sunday, December 13, 2026 at 11 a.m.

Snow/Inclement Weather Date: Monday, December 14, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.

Location: Welte Auditorium

We look forward to celebrating with you! 

Due to limited seating capacity, only the first 350 graduates who RSVP will be admitted and granted three guest tickets. If you require more than three guest tickets, consider attending the Spring ceremony which allows graduates to invite up to six guests. 

When the December ceremony reaches capacity or if you would prefer to participate in the Spring ceremony, all eligible graduates will be automatically invited to participate in the May 2027 ceremony.

Information about the Spring ceremony will be sent to students via Central email in March 2027.

 

RSVP and guest tickets for the ceremony

  • For graduates who have completed their registration on Tassel, your guest tickets are available electronically on Tassel and can be emailed or printed.
  • Upon guest entry into Welte Auditorium, your guests can either show their ticket electronically on their device or present their printed ticket to be scanned.

Parking is available in the Student Center Garage, surface lot off of Ella Grasso Blvd., or in the nearby Welte garage. The GPS address for Welte Hall is 105 Ella Grasso Blvd.

After the Ceremony

Alumni & Bellin room of the Student Center has been reserved for the Winter Commencement reception. All are welcome to attend this party which will take place after the graduation ceremony.

Commencement book and diploma name proof

Students should refer to the Marching Order confirmation emails to ensure their name is correct—that is how your name will appear on your diploma and in the commencement book.  Please report any errors to the Office of the Registrar at regstaff@ccsu.edu immediately.   

For more information, please send an email to commencement@ccsu.edu. 

Student holding diploma at graduation
two graduates hugging
Stage with blue banner in the background

Commencement Ceremony - Lightning Safety Plan

In the event of lightning in the area of the stadium, an announcement will be made and everyone in attendance must seek shelter outside the stadium until they are notified that it is safe to return.

  • Family and friends should return to their vehicles or seek shelter in a parking garage.
  • Graduating students should seek shelter in the Gymnasium in Kaiser Hall.
  • Faculty and staff should seek shelter in Hilltop Café or the Rec Center.

Once our staff receives the “All Clear” notification, a horn will sound, and our staff will make announcements that it is safe to return to the stadium and continue the commencement celebration.