Commencement - May 23, 2025
HONORS AT GRADUATION
Associate Degree candidates with the following cumulative grade point averages at the end of the Fall 2024 semester will be recognized at graduation as follows:
3.25 – 3.49 With Honors
3.50 – 3.74 With High Honors
3.75 – 4.00 With Highest Honors
Please be reminded that this is a cumulative grade point average reflecting ALL COLLEGE WORK through Fall 2024. This includes college work completed both at Peralta and other colleges. Again, Certificate recipients are not eligible for honors.
For those students graduating with Associate Degrees in June 2025, your cumulative GPA will be recalculated once grades from Spring 2025 semester are finalized. If at that time you qualify for honors, your transcript will be appropriately noted.
VALEDICTORIAN & SALUTATORIAN
Each year a class valedictorian and salutatorian are chosen from the candidates for the Associate Degree. Certificate candidates are not eligible.
The class valedictorian is the student in the graduating class with the highest cumulative grade point average at the end of the Fall 2025 semester. This individual will be asked to deliver a speech to the graduating class.
The class salutatorian is the student in the graduating class with the second highest cumulative grade point average at the end of the Fall 2025 semester. This individual will be asked to lead the class in the moving of the cap tassel at the end of the ceremony.
College of Alameda Commencement Frequently Asked Questions
The College of Alameda commencement ceremony is Friday, May 23, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. on the College of Alameda Soccer Field. Guests can start arriving as early as 1:30 p.m.
The estimated duration of the ceremony is 90 minutes to two (2) hours.
Yes. Guests attending the ceremony will need a ticket to enter the Soccer Field. Each graduate that has submitted an RSVP to participate in the ceremony by the deadline will receive four (4) tickets. Tickets will be distributed at the commencement rehearsal, Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.
Children ages three (3) and older will need a ticket to enter the ceremony.
After the April 28th RSVP deadline, the Office of Student Activities will determine the number of additional tickets available. Based on the number of additional tickets available, each graduate will receive an increase in the total number of tickets provided (for example: instead of four (4) tickets, each graduate could receive six (6) tickets). However, if additional tickets are not available each graduate will only receive the allotted four (4) tickets. Graduates that need additional tickets are advised to ask fellow graduates for their unneeded tickets.
Students who successfully completed a petition to graduate with the Admissions and Records office will have their name and degree(s) and/or certificate(s) listed in the program.
Parking lots B, C and D provide the best access to the Soccer Field. Parking permits are not required.
All campus parking lots have designated disabled parking. The main entrance into the Soccer field is accessible. Ramps are located on either side of the bleachers. The first row of the bleachers includes six (6) wheelchair accessible seating areas. All guest seating is first come first serve. Interpreters will be available for graduates and guests throughout the ceremony. Graduates in need of seating accommodations can notify the Office of Student Activities on the Commencement RSVP form. Contact the Director of Student Activities & Campus Life at nrodriguez@peralta.edu with
Yes, a photographer will be taking public relations pictures as well as graduate portraits before and during the ceremony.
Diplomas will not be provided at the ceremony. Admissions and Records will send an email notification to students during the summer informing students when diplomas are ready for pick-up from the Admissions and Records office.
The ceremony will be recorded for later viewing on Peralta TV. A live stream of the ceremony will not be available.
In the event of rain, the ceremony will take place inside the College of Alameda Gym.
Graduates can purchase all regalia (i.e., cap, gown and tassel) through Jostens Inc (link to https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1002839/College-of-Alameda/). All orders will be shipped directly to your home/personal address. All regalia related questions should be addressed directly to Jostens. If you need assistance with the purchase of regalia, the office of Student Actvities and Campus Life has a limited number of caps and gowns available for borrowing. Please contact Director Natalie Rodriguez at nrodriguez@peralta.edu.
When deciding what to wear to the ceremony it is important to consider the weather and comfortability, since graduates will be standing and sitting for long periods of time and the seating area for graduates will not be shaded. Here are a few recommendations:
- Pressed slacks, trousers, khakis, dress, or skirt
- Pressed dress shirt with a tie or a blouse
- Dress socks and shoes. High heels are not recommended for reasons of safety and comfort, flats or pumps are advised. Casual sandals and tennis shoes should also be
Keep in mind, your gown should fall midway between the knee and ankle. Tassels are worn on the right side.
Rehearsal is Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. on the Soccer field. The rehearsal is scheduled to last one (1) hour to 90 minutes.
Yes, rehearsal is mandatory for all graduates. During the rehearsal you will receive important information about the ceremony, practice the procession, seating and recession. Tickets will be distributed at the end of the rehearsal. Graduates that are unable to attend rehearsal must email the Office of Student Activities at nrodriguez@peralta.edu. Graduates that do not pick up their tickets at rehearsal are not guaranteed tickets for the ceremony.