Graduation

Graduation candidates must apply for graduation by the published deadline during their last semester. Students within 10 credits or 12 internship credits of completing their degree may participate in the spring commencement. Students graduating in the fall who wish to participate in the spring commencement must give a detailed explanation in the Student Notes section of the graduation application regarding what courses you still need to register for and where you will be taking them.

Application Deadlines

Graduation applications should be completed the semester prior to your final semester. i.e. Spring graduates should apply before the end of the Fall semester. Before applying, students should check their Degree Audit to verify all requirements are complete. The application deadline for publication in the Spring Graduate List is April 23, 2023. Any applications received after the deadline will be processed, but names will not be published in the Graduate List and will not be included in the Commencement Ceremony program.

Application Steps

1. Complete the graduation application
   • Review your DARS audit for accuracy and completeness before completing the graduation application.
   • Fill out the form and submit online.
   • Please indicate your interest in attending the Commencement Ceremony on Step 3 of the form.
2. Complete the career services registration form
   • Fill out the form online, then submit online.

If you are unable to submit these forms online, please email Kelli Kienitz.

How Do I Get a DARS Report?

Sign into eServices with your StarID and password. Click on Academic Records and choose Degree Audit Report.

Students must complete all required courses and achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or better on a 4.00 grading scale.

Time Limit

Students graduating in fewer than four years must meet the graduation and degree requirements in the current college catalog or those degree requirements in effect during their first term at Ridgewater College. Students graduating more than four years after the date of first enrollment must meet the requirements stated in the catalog in effect for the year in which graduation occurs.

Residence

To be eligible for graduation, a student must have earned at least one-third of the semester credits at Ridgewater College and must be enrolled at the College during the semester in which the degree requirements are completed. An exception may be made when a student who has completed at least 20 credits at Ridgewater College lacks 10 or fewer credits for graduation. Such students may petition the administration for permission to complete the degree requirements through transfer of acceptable non-resident credit. Petitions/transcripts will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis for recency or to ensure compliance with current graduation standards.

Honors

For those who qualify, the Graduate List will note, with one star, individuals who have achieved a cumulative GPA of at least 3.50. Their diploma will also be embossed with the honor student seal. Two stars will indicate a cumulative GPA of at least 3.75. In addition to the honors seal, these students will receive gold braids if they attend the commencement ceremony. Three stars will indicate a perfect 4.00 GPA. In addition to the honors seal and gold braids, these students will also be given a medallion if they attend the commencement ceremony. 

To be eligible for honors, at least two-thirds of all credits earned at Ridgewater College must have a grade point value letter grade assigned (i.e., A – F).

Holds

All student account holds must be cleared before a diploma/degree can be released (including parking fines).

Students who borrowed money while attending Ridgewater College must complete exit counseling before the diploma/degree can be mailed.

Placement Information

Please make sure to complete the graduate career services registration form. This will allow you access to employment opportunities after graduation. Even if you have obtained employment, the State of Minnesota requires that we report that information. Feel free to contact Career Services with any questions.

Visit our Commencement page for more details on our commencement ceremony. 

Hutchinson Commencement Ceremony

Thursday, May 11, 2023
3:00 pm-4:30 pm CDT (approx.)
McLeod County Fairgrounds
840 Century Ave SW
Hutchinson, MN 55350

Willmar Commencement Ceremony

Friday, May 12, 2023
3:00 pm-5:00 pm CDT (approx.)
Willmar Civic Center
2707 Arena Dr
Willmar, MN 56201

The Grad Expo is Ridgewater College’s graduation preparation open house. We will have a table present for each of the different areas below to help you get everything done on your graduation to-do list:

• Student Life
• Records & Registration
• Financial Aid
• Bookstore
• Foundation

If you’re not sure what you need to do to graduate, attend one of our graduation expos!

Hutchinson Campus Grad Expo
Tuesday, March 28, 2023
10:30 am-12:30 pm
Concourse (Front Lobby)

Willmar Campus Grad Expo
Thursday, March 30, 2023
10:30 am-12:30 pm
Front Lobby (Student Center, Lower Level by the Bookstore)

Graduate List

Ridgewater College has one Commencement Ceremony each spring for graduates from the entire year. This Graduate List includes graduates from the previous summer and fall and current spring semester. Future graduates for the next summer or fall semester will be included in the next spring ceremony and graduate list. Exceptions can be made if you are within 12 credits of completing your requirements. You must contact me to make a request to be included in the current spring graduate list.

Please check the spelling of your name and honor status. A key for the honor status symbols is located at the bottom of the graduate list.

If your name is not on this list, you either:

• did not complete your Graduation Application or it is still processing
• you completed an Authorization to Withhold Directory Information form telling us not to release your name
• or, you will be published in next year’s list.

Please contact Kelli Kienitz, Ridgewater registrar, at [email protected] or 320-222-5215 if you have questions or your information is inaccurate. The deadline for changes is April 21, 2023.

Hutchinson Graduation List [PDF]
Willmar Graduation List [PDF]

If you have questions about the Graduation Application, Graduate List, or other questions regarding requirements to get your degree, diploma, or certificate, please contact:

Student Services
[email protected]
Willmar: 320-222-5200
Hutchinson: 320-234-8500

If you have questions about the graduation ceremony, please contact:

Hutchinson Campus
Heather Marcus
[email protected]
320-234-8562

Willmar Campus
Angela Haas
[email protected]
320-222-5643