91³Ô¹ÏÍø Commencement Ceremonies 2026
Central Lakes College commencement ceremonies are held once each year in May. Graduates who complete their final program in the Fall 2025, Spring 2026, or Summer 2026 term are invited to attend the May 2026 ceremony. Participation is voluntary.
Guests (maximum of four guests per graduate)
Tickets are not required for the ceremonies.ÌýGraduates are asked to limit their in-person guests to four people, because the ceremonies will fill to capacity. The ceremonies will be broadcast live for remote viewing.Ìý
Grad Wrap
Missed Grad Wrap. No worries.
You may pick up your cap, gown and event information at the Welcome Center at both the Brainerd and Staples campuses. You may stop in Between Monday, April 27 and Friday, May 1. Please make sure that you have submitted your prior to picking up your graduation items.
Complete your 91³Ô¹ÏÍø experience with Grad Wrap. The one-stop shop to prepare for graduation. Pick up your cap and gown, check graduation status, learn about loan exit plans, get account information, join the Alumni Association, and more!
¹ó¸é·¡·¡â€ˆE³Õ·¡±·°Õ! Ìý • Ìý No sign-up required!Ìý Ìý
Monday, April 20 — Brainerd Campus (south cafeteria hallway) 11 am to 1 pm
Tuesday, April 21 — Brainerd Campus (south cafeteria hallway) 11 am to 1 pm
Wednesday, April 22 — Staples Campus (commons) 11 am to 12:30 pm
For more information onÌýcommencement, and a link for students to use to apply toÌýgraduate, please visitÌý/registration/graduation/
Updated: January 15, 2026
Staples Campus – Practical Nursing Pinning/Commencement
Wednesday, May 13 at 2:00pm
91³Ô¹ÏÍø Staples Campus Commons
Practical Nursing Diploma
Staples Campus – Career & Technical Programs
Wednesday, May 13 at 5:00pm
91³Ô¹ÏÍø Staples Campus Commons
Advanced Farm Business Management Certificate
Agricultural Commodities Marketing Certificate
Applications in Farm Business Management Certificate
CNC Technologies Diploma/A.A.S. Degree
Current Issues in Farm Business Management Certificate
Diesel Equipment Technician Diploma/A.A.S. Degree
Essentials of Farm Business Management Certificate
Heavy Equipment Operation & Maintenance Diploma
Machine Operations Diploma/Certificate
Meat Cutting & Butchery Diploma
Mechatronics Diploma
Robotic Human Machine Interface Adv. Certificate
Robotic Manufacturing Certificate
Robotic Offline Programming Advanced Certificate
Robotic Vision Advanced Certificate
Robotic Welding Advanced Certificate
Robotic Welding Certificate
Robotics/Automated Systems Technology Diploma/A.A.S. Degree
Sausage Smoking and Curing Certificate
Specialty Crops Management Diploma
Brainerd Campus –ÌýCareer & Technical Programs
Thursday, May 14 at 5:00pm
91³Ô¹ÏÍø Brainerd Campus Gymnasium
Accountant Diploma/A.A.S. Degree
Animal Science Core Concepts Certificate
Automotive Technology Diploma/A.A.S. Degree
Bookkeeping Certificate
Business Assistant Certificate
Business Management A.A.S. Degree
Business Transfer Pathway A.S. Degree
Computer IT Security and Networking Diploma/A.A.S. Degree
Computer CompTIA Certificate
Computer Microsoft Office Professional Certificate
Conservation Officer Preparation A.A.S. Degree
Criminal Justice A.A.S. Degree
Criminal Justice Certificate (Advanced)
Dental Assisting Diploma/A.A.S. Degree
Dental Hygiene A.A.S. Degree
Early Childhood Ed. Transfer Pathway A.S. Degree
Early Childhood Education Certificate/Diploma/A.A.S. Degree
Emergency Medical Response Technician Certificate
Entrepreneurship Certificate
Graphic Design Diploma/A.A.S. Degree
Graphic Design Media Technologies Diploma
Graphic Design Media Design Certificate
Healthcare Accounting A.A.S. Degree
Healthcare Administrative Specialist Certificate/Diploma/A.A.S. Degree
Horticulture A.A.S. Degree
Human Services A.A.S. Degree
Human Services Technician Diploma
Management Diploma
Marine and Powersports Diploma
MN Peace Officer A.A.S and Skills Certificate
Natural Resources Conservation Certificate
Natural Resources Technology A.A.S. Degree
Nursing Assistant
Occupational Skills Diploma
Peace Officer/Public Safety Transfer Pathway A.S. Degree
Pre-Social Work Transfer Pathway A.S. Degree
Recovery Support Specialist Certificate
Sustainable Greenhouse Production Diploma
Sustainable Landscaping Diploma
Sustainable Local Food Certificate
Welding and Fabrication Diploma/A.A.S. Degree
Wildlife Tourism Certificate
Brainerd Campus – Nursing Pinning/Commencement
Friday, May 15 at 2:00pm
91³Ô¹ÏÍø Brainerd Campus Gymnasium
Nursing A.S. Degree (Advanced Standing)
Nursing A.S. Degree (Traditional)
Brainerd Campus – Liberal Arts & Sciences
Friday, May 15 at 5:00pm
91³Ô¹ÏÍø Brainerd Campus Gymnasium
A.A. Degree (Transfer/General Education)
Agricultural Science A.S. Degree
Art Transfer Pathway A.F.A. Degree
Athletic Coaching Certificate
Biology Transfer Pathway A.S. Degree
Chemistry Transfer Pathway A.S. Degree
Communication Studies Transfer Pathway A.A. Degree
Deaf Studies Certificate
Economics Transfer Pathway A.A. Degree
English Transfer Pathway A.A. Degree
Environmental Studies Certificate
Exercise Science Transfer Pathway A.S. Degree
Global Studies Certificate
Health Sciences Broad Field A.S. Degree
History Transfer Pathway A.A. Degree
Honors Certificate
Jazz Studies Certificate
Latin American Studies Certificate
Music A.F.A Degree
Music Performance Certificate
Music Technology A.F.A Degree/Certificate
Political Science Transfer Pathway A.A. Degree
Psychology Transfer Pathway A.A. Degree
Sociology Transfer Pathway A.A. Degree
Spanish Transfer Pathway A.A. Degree
Women’s Studies Certificate
Ìý
Question 1: Will my guests need tickets to the graduation ceremony?
Tickets are not required for the commencement ceremonies.Ìý
Question 2: How many guests are allowed per graduate?
Graduates are asked to limit their in-person guests to four people, because the ceremonies will fill to capacity.Ìý
Question 3: Maximum guests?
Maximum of four (4) guests per graduate
Question 4: What if guests need accessible seating?
Guests who require accessible seating should contact the 91³Ô¹ÏÍø Accessibility Services at 218-855-8175 at least 48 hours in advance of the event.
Question 5: Are there assigned seats for guests?
No. All seating is general admission (first-come, first-served), and specific seats and/or consecutive seats are not guaranteed. If our facility reaches capacity, guests will be redirected to overflow viewing areas.Ìý
Question 10: Will 91³Ô¹ÏÍø commencement events be streamed live?
Yes, 91³Ô¹ÏÍø commencement ceremonies will also be streamed live on
Video – Live Streaming
Photography
Central Lakes College is planning to provide professional photos of each graduate during the ceremony. These high-quality photos will be available to download for free the morning following the ceremony.ÌýPlease check your 91³Ô¹ÏÍø email account for link and password to access your photos.
Other photo options
There will be several photo opportunities before and after the ceremony. Graduates can take photos at one of several photo stations/photo backgrounds throughout the campus or outside.
91³Ô¹ÏÍø reserves the right to make changes in the commencement plans. Please check this webpage for further updates.
All students planning to graduate in academic year 2024-25 must complete an application to graduate.
Grad Wrap 2026
Brainerd Campus
Monday, April 20
(south cafeteria hallway)
11 am to 1 pm
Brainerd Campus
Tuesday, April 21
(south cafeteria hallway)
11 am to 1 pm
Staples Campus
Wednesday, April 22
(commons)
11:00 am to 12:30 pm
Students who want their names included in the official 2026 91³Ô¹ÏÍø commencement program must have submitted their Application for Graduation form by no later than Friday, March 31 at 4 pm.
For more information onÌýcommencement, and a link for students to use to apply toÌýgraduate, please visitÌý/registration/graduation/
Your graduation experience will be rewarding. Complete your 91³Ô¹ÏÍø experience with Grad Wrap — the one-stop-shop to prepare for graduation. Pick up cap and gown, learn about loan exit plans, check graduation status, receive placement survey information, join the Alumni Association, and more!
FREE EVENT!
No sign-up required!