Winter Commencement is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate those students who complete their undergraduate studies prior to the May Commencement ceremony.

Speaker

Dr. M. Nickie Coomer, CC Assistant Professor of Education and the current holder of the Manya Whitaker Professorship in Education, has been teaching in the Education Department at Colorado College for three years. Before joining CC, she taught education methods as a visiting instructor at Indiana University in Indianapolis and worked in early elementary special education in Ohio, Texas, New York, and Indiana. At CC, she has taught for the Stroud Scholars Program and Bridge Scholars, and she designed and led a study abroad course on progressive pedagogies—including Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and Waldorf approaches—in Italy. She has also led professional learning workshops on anti-racist pedagogy for the Crown Faculty Center, taken four students to national and international educational conferences, and connected CC students with leading national scholars in Disability Studies in Education to co-author peer-reviewed publications. She is also a co-editor of Multiple Voices: Disability, Race, and Language Intersections in Special Education, a publication of the Division for Diverse Exceptional Learners.

Important Information for Graduates

Mandatory Rehearsal

Graduates must attend a mandatory rehearsal immediately before the ceremony. Please arrive at Shove Memorial Chapel by noon on Sunday, Dec. 15 to walk through the ceremony. We ask that you please be prompt so we can efficiently address last-minute details and confirm name pronunciations (make sure you log into Canvas to do your name pronunciation prior to this rehearsal). Once the rehearsal concludes at 12:30 p.m., doors will open for guests.

Photographs

Prior to rehearsal, there will be a professional photographer onsite at Shove Memorial Chapel to take individual photos of you in your cap and gown from 11 a.m. to noon. You are welcome to bring your guests to have group pictures taken as well. These photos will be available two weeks after the event online at Grad Images.

Important Information for Guests

Tickets and Livestream Options

No tickets or registration are required to attend Winter Commencement. Family and friends who are unable to attend the ceremony in person can watch virtually on the Colorado College website at kzuf.6lwboc.com/live.

Parking

The 3rd and 4th floors of the Ed Robson Arena parking garage will be available exclusively for Commencement guests on the day of the event. If disabled guests require ease of accessibility, they are welcome to use the drop-off-only horseshoe driveway in front of Shove Memorial Chapel on Nevada Avenue. Street parking along Nevada and Cache La Poudre is also open and free.

Accessibility

Colorado College welcomes participants with disabilities. ADA and limited-mobility seating in Shove Memorial Chapel is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Live captions will be available on the live stream. Please contact Don Herbst at 719-389-6817 for details on specific needs or to request accommodations. Advance notice may be necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

When should I arrive for the Commencement ceremony?

Doors to Shove Memorial Chapel will open at 12:30 p.m. Plan to arrive close to that time to give yourself time to park, enter the venue, and be seated. The event will begin promptly at 1 p.m.

What should I wear to Commencement?

Regalia is required for graduates walking in the ceremony. There is no specific dress code for guests of the event. It's always a good idea to check the weather forecast this time of year and dress accordingly. Comfortable shoes are recommended for walking around campus and navigating safely.

High Altitude Tips

Colorado Springs' elevation is 6,035 feet. If you're traveling from a lower elevation and unaccustomed to the transition, check out these tips to prevent altitude sickness.

Other Campus Policies

No Smoking

Colorado College is a smoke-free campus. Smoking of any substance, which includes the use of electronic cigarettes or vaping, is prohibited on campus.

No Weapons

The possession or use of any weapon - including but not limited to firearms, ammunition, pellet guns, air guns, paintball guns, stun guns, tasers, smoke devices, bows/arrows, swords, large knives (defined as a knife with a 3.5-inch blade or longer), explosives, and fireworks - is prohibited on College property because of the potential for personal injury, theft, unauthorized use of such items, and disruptive impact on the College community.

Freedom of Expression

At Colorado College, we understand that freedom of thought and expression are essential to any institution of higher learning and are vital components of academic freedom. CC's Freedom of Expression policy can be found here.