Spring 2025 Commencement

When: Friday, May 16th, 2025

Where: Austin High School Knowlton Auditorium
              301 3rd St NW, Austin, MN 55912

Time: 6:30 p.m.      (Doors will remain locked until 5:30 p.m.)

Auditorium Seating - Wristband Required Information:

Each graduating student participating in Commencement will receive four (4) wristbands when they pick up their cap and gown.
Graduates are responsible for distributing these 4 wristbands in advance to their guests who wish to sit in the Auditorium during the ceremony.
Guests must be wearing their Riverland wristband to enter the Auditorium. (Wristbands that have been removed, forgotten or lost - guests will be directed to Ove Berven Gymnasium for seating)
Wristbands are replacing tickets for entry into the Auditorium.

• One wristband per guest is required for entry into the Auditorium. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Any child requiring their own seat must be wearing a wristband. Infant/toddler (age 2 and under) that will be sitting on an adult's lap will not require a wristband.
• Wristbands cannot be purchased or obtained at the venue. 
• Guests without a wristband will be directed to overflow seating in the Ove Berven Gymnasium, located at the high school.

• A wristband is not required for seating in the Ove Berven Gymnasium. It is bleacher seating and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

• The ceremony will be live-streamed and recorded for online viewing during or after the event. 
• A photographer will be on-site, although individual photos are not guaranteed.

Map, Parking & Door Entrance Information:

Graduates - Map of Austin High

Guests - Map of Austin High

• Graduates park by and enter - Door 7 or Door 13.
• Guests park by and enter: 
  • Wristband required/Auditorium seating - Door 1 or Door 5
  • No wristband/Ove Berven Gymnasium seating - Door 6 or Door 14
• All other doors will be locked to guests.
• Parking will be very limited! Please carpool as you can.
• As parking lots fill, street parking will be required.

Fall 2024, Spring 2025, Summer 2025 Students who have applied to graduate:

 Check the Graduation List

Apply for Graduation:

Students must review their Degree Audit in e-services to see if they meet the requirements to apply for graduation. Be sure to review all audits that are available. Contact your academic advisor if you have questions. 

• All students must apply to graduate even if they do not intend to participate in the commencement ceremony. Graduation is not automatic.
• If a graduation application is received after Tuesday, April 1, 2025, graduate's name will not be printed in the Commencement program.
• Graduation Application

Cap and Gown:

• Pick up begins: March 17th, 2025
• DEADLINE to pick up: April 11th, 2025

• Where: Pick up at the Austin East Bookstore or online
  7:30 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. Monday through Friday
  Closed Saturday and Sunday
  Online: GRADUATION REGALIA | Austin Campus Bookstore (riverland.edu)

• Cost: 
  Extra tassel: $5.00
  Honor students (name must be on Honor's List in Bookstore) will receive either a free stole or cord accordingly as listed below: 
  High Distinction  3.75 - 4.0 GPA:   stole
  Distinction  3.25 - 3.74 GPA:  cord 
  Lambda Nu and Phi Theta Kappa members must purchase their own - please contact the Lambda Nu or PTK Advisor if you have questions
  All purchases are non-refundable

• Each graduate walking at Commencement will be given a limited number of Commencement wristbands when they pick up their cap and gown to distribute to their guests for seating in the Auditorium

• Questions:
  Phone: 507-433-0651 or 507-433-0541
  Email: bookstore@riverland.edu

Commencement Coordinator:  Andrea Severtson