Commencement Ceremony Information

• Thursday, May 9, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
• Carson Center for the Performing Arts
• 100 Kentucky Avenue in downtown Paducah

• For the 4 p.m. ceremony, candidates for graduation must report to the back loading dock of the Carson Center no later than 3:15 p.m. to sign-in for the ceremony.
• For the 7 p.m. ceremony, candidates for graduation must report to the back laoding dock of the Carson Center no later than 6:15 p.m. to sign in for the ceremony.
• Signs will mark the back loading dock entrance door.
• Please consider parking /walking times in order to arrive for the ceremony sign-in no later than arrival times listed above.
• The ceremony breakdown list is in the Ceremony Breakdown tab below.
• The breakdown of ceremonies listed above are divided by credential or program.
• A Carson Center map is in the Carson Center Map tab below.
• All guests should enter the front doors of the Carson Center. Doors will open at approximately 3:15 p.m. (first ceremony) and 6:15 p.m. (second ceremony).

Ceremony attendance by Credential/Program

See Ceremony Arrival Times above for when you should arrive at the Back Loading Dock of the Carson Center.

• First Ceremony 4 p.m.
  • Associate in Arts
  • Associate in Fine Arts - Visual Arts
  • Apprenticeship
  • Automotive
  • Business Administration
  • Collision Repair Technology
  • Computer Aided Drafting and Design
  • Computer and Information Technologies
  • Computerized Manufacturing and Machining
  • Construction Technology
  • Criminal Justice
  • Culinary Arts
  • Diesel Technology
  • Electrical Technology
  • Fire Science Technology
  • General Occupational Technical Studies
  • Industrial Maintenance Technology
  • Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education
  • Logistics and Operations Management
  • Visual Communication - Multimedia
  • Welding Technology
    
    
• Second Ceremony 7 p.m.
  • Associate in Science
  • Cosmetology
  • Dental Assisting
  • Diagnostic Medical Sonography
  • Health Science Technology
  • Medical Information Technology
  • Medical Laboratory Technician
  • Nursing - Associate Degree Nursing
  • Nursing - Practical Nursing
  • Nursing - Nursing Assistant
  • Pharmacy Technology
  • Physical Therapist Assistant
  • Radiography
  • Surgical Technology

• ORDERING EVENT IN BOOKSTORE: The WKCTC Bookstore in the Anderson Technical Building is hosting an ordering event on Wednesday, April 24. Come by and bookstore personnel can help you get your regalia ordered. Regalia (cap, gown, and tassel) is worn at commencement. Candidates for graduation may purchase regalia before or after the ordering event. Regalia must be purchased BEFORE Thursday, May 9 by NOON. WKCTC bookstore hours are Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• REGALIA PICK UP EVENT: The bookstore is also hosting a Regalia Pick up Event on Wednesday, May 1. Just stop by to pick up your regalia for commencement. Candidates for graduation may pick up regalia before or after May 1. Regalia must be picked up BEFORE Thursday, May 9 by NOON. WKCTC bookstore hours are Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• The high-quality, blue Graduation Regalia Bundle includes your cap, gown, and tassel for the price of $41.98, plus tax.
• An additional tassel is $7.98, plus tax.
• The bookstore accepts cash, credit/debit cards, and can process SFA with a voucher from the Financial Aid office.
• If you have any questions, please reach out to the bookstore via email at SM070@bncollege.com.

• Candidates for graduation who have a 3.6 or higher GPA from the Fall 2023 semester, and a minimum of 45 hours from KCTCS schools are eligible to receive a free blue and gold honor cord to wear at commencement at the Carson Center on Thursday, May 9.
• The names of candidates for graduation who are eligible to wear a blue and gold honor cord, which represents graduation with high distinction, will be marked on an honors cord list by the WKCTC Records office and provided to the WKCTC bookstore team.
• Eligible candidates for graduation can pick up an honor cord in the WKCTC bookstore. 
• Community Scholarship Program cords should be picked up in the Anderson Technical Building from Justin Hill or Ayesha Smith.
• Veteran cords should be picked up from Amanda Scheidegger or Deanna Shelley in the Anderson Technical Building.
• Student Government Association cords should be picked up from Brent Taylor in the Clemens Student Center/Fine Arts Building. 
• If you are a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, PTK co-advisor Dr. Kim Russell will communicate with you to order your honor stole from the official PTK website and provide details about also attending the Honors and Achievement Ceremony on Monday, May 6, in the WKCTC Clemens Fine Arts Center..

• SMILE! A professional photographer will be taking pictures of candidates for graduation throughout the ceremony. Make sure to let family and friends know.
• Photos can be ordered from Jones Photography in the weeks following commencement at jonesphoto.gotphoto.com - access code: WKCTCSPRING24.
• Photography information will also be available in the commencement program.

• No tickets are required. There is no limit on number of guests.

• Candidates for graduation who need special accommodations must contact Tammy Thompson by Friday, April 26.
• tammy.thompson@kctcs.edu or (270) 534-3215.
• Handicap parking is available in Parking Lot A. A Carson Center map is in the tab below.
• Handicap seating is available inside the Carson Center on the first floor at the back of the theatre. There is a reserved space for the person needing the accommodation and one seat for a family member or friend. Others are requested to sit elsewhere in the theatre to allow for other handicap accommodations.

• Candidates for graduation should leave all personal belongings in their vehicle or with family or friends during the ceremony. WKCTC and the Carson Center are not responsible for lost or stolen items.

• Carson Center
  • From points North and West of Paducah: Take I-24 East to Exit 4 “Downtown Loop” (KY State Highway 60). Take the Downtown Loop into downtown Paducah and turn left on Kentucky Avenue and go two blocks. The Center will be on your right.
  • From points South and East of Paducah: Take I-24 West to Exit 11 “Husband Road.” Turn right onto John Puryear Drive and follow it all the way into downtown. Turn right on Kentucky Avenue and go one block. The Center will be on your right.
    
    
• Loading Dock Entrance at the Back of the Theater - Marked with Yellow Line and Circle at Right on the Map
  • All faculty/staff and students must enter through the loading dock. Students must check-in at registration table located inside the loading dock entrance. Front entrance of the theatre for guests only.
    
    
• Commencement Parking
  • Parking is available in any of the Carson Center parking lots: A, B, C. or D. Note: parking will be reserved for VIP guests and handicap parking is in Lot A. Parking for the commencement personnel will be reserved in Lot B.

• The College plans to live stream commencement on its WKCTC Facebook page/YouTube channel. The ceremony will remain on the platforms for future viewing.
  
  
• Keep checking back for specific ceremony links.

• If you have any questions regarding graduation requirements and credentials, please do not hesitate to contact the Record Office at 270-534-3438.
• If you have any questions regarding commencement logistics on Monday, December 11, contact Tammy Thompson at tammy.thompson@kctcs.edu or 270-534-3215.