Graduation 2026
Congratulations, Class of 2026!
The 2026 Grace Christian University In-Person Commencement is scheduled for Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 10:30am. Graduates who are unable to attend the In-Person ceremony have the option of participating in a Virtual Commencement ceremony.
Commencement Ceremonies
In-Person Commencement
Saturday, May 2
10:30am
Rush Creek Bible Church
2334 76th St SW, Byron Center, Michigan
All graduates participating in the In-Person Commencement are expected to attend a brief “walk-through” rehearsal for the ceremony. The rehearsal begins at 9:00 AM just before the ceremony. Come prepared to walk, there will not be additional preparation time. If you have family and friends who are not able to attend the In-Person ceremony, they will be able to view the ceremony via livestream. The link itself won’t be available until just before the ceremony begins, but the link will be found at https://www.facebook.com/GraceChristianU/
Students who plan to participate in either Commencement are required to RSVP by April 10, 2026.
Virtual Commencement
Video Premieres friday, May 15
2pm EDT
Graduates participating in the Virtual ceremony should submit a photo of themselves to be displayed during the reading of their names. The composition of the photo is up to the graduate: it can be professional, candid, a group shot, or whatever is desired by the graduate. However, the photo should be in JPEG or PNG format and of a quality that will project well when enlarged significantly. Each Virtual graduate should email one photo to registrar@gracechristian.edu with the subject line: Commencement Photo, no later than April 10, 2026.
Students who plan to participate in either Commencement are required to RSVP by April 10, 2026.
Ability to Graduate
Students who are within 6-12 months of completing their degrees are encouraged to complete an Application for Graduation.
Contact your Academic Advisor to assure that you are on track to complete all degree requirements on schedule.
Eligibility to Participate in Commencement
Degree candidates are expected to fulfill all degree requirements by the end of the Spring 2026 Semester.
Students who wish to walk in the Commencement but will not meet the eligibility requirement may submit an appeal to be allowed to do so. The appeal should include specific rationale for the request to walk early, a detailed description of the remaining degree requirements, and a plan for how/when the remaining requirements will be completed. The Academic Appeal form should be submitted as early as possible, but at least 30 days before the scheduled Commencement date.
Graduation Honors
Undergraduate students participating in the annual Commencement ceremony are eligible to display honors based on their cumulative grade point average (GPA) at the time the Commencement list is finalized.
Associate and Bachelor degree recipients are eligible to receive the following honors and to wear honors cords at the Commencement:
3.30 – 3.69 GPA Honors
3.70 – 4.00 GPA High Honors
Honors are also posted to the students’ official transcript record.
Graduation Celebration
Friday, May 1
The day before Commencement
Join us as we celebrate our graduates alongside family, peers, professors, and staff! This special afternoon and evening is designed to honor the hard work and accomplishments of our graduates and to celebrate the community that supported them along the way.
This is a free event, and all are welcome. Dinner seating is limited, so an RSVP is required.
Event Schedule
Welcome Reception & Meet and Greet
1:30 PM
Kick off the celebration with a reception for graduates and their families. Grace staff who have walked alongside you during your time at Grace will be there to welcome you, connect, and celebrate all you’ve accomplished.
Campus Tours & Trivia (with Prizes!)
2:00 PM
Explore campus through guided tours and fun trivia with prizes! Whether you’ve lived on campus for four years or are seeing it for the very first time, this is a great way to experience Grace together.
Library Renaming & Honorary Doctorate Celebration
3:30 PM
To celebrate the honorary doctorate awarded to Harry Bultema, the namesake of the Bultema Memorial Library, and his lifelong dedication to learning, the building is being rechristened the Bultema Library & Learning Center. Come celebrate with us!
Faculty Meet & Greet
3:30 PM
Reconnect with professors who supported and challenged you as you completed your degree. A meaningful opportunity to celebrate relationships formed along the way.
Torah Event
4:15 PM
Guests are invited to learn about two Torah scrolls gifted to Grace. This experience includes their history, their significance to the Christian faith, and an up-close viewing.
Punch Bowl
5:00 PM
Enjoy a brief refreshment break before the evening banquet.
Graduation Banquet
5:30 PM
Celebrate with a formal dinner honoring our graduates.
- Free for graduates and up to four guests
- Additional guests may attend for an added cost ($12 for each additional guest and $4 for each additional child between 3–12 years of age)
To honor this special occasion, guests are asked to wear business or semi-formal attire for the Graduation Banquet. If attire presents a hardship, please know you are still warmly welcome.
RSVP Information
This event is free, but RSVP is required due to limited dinner seating. Please be sure to register early to reserve your spot. We look forward to celebrating this milestone with you!
We’re looking forward to celebrating Graduation Weekend with you!
If you have any questions about the events or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Hilary Vegh at hvegh@gracechristian.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I participate in Commencement?
Please take about 20 seconds to let us know if you plan to participate in the In-Person or Virtual ceremony. Here is the site: 2026 Commencement RSVP. Please plan to submit your RSVP no later than April 10, 2026. Students will only be allowed to participate in Commencement if they have already indicated their desire to participate by checking their eligibility to participate and applying to graduate. Cap and Gown are required for all graduates walking in Commencement.
How do I order a Cap and Gown?
Herff-Jones is ready to take your order for your graduation attire (and any other celebratory items you might wish to purchase). Just specify Grace Christian University and be sure to select the appropriate degree level. The deadline for placing your cap and gown order without paying a late fee is April 6, 2026.
Will I get my diploma at Commencement?
After degrees have been conferred and any account holds have been resolved, diplomas for graduates who have not yet received their diplomas will be mailed to the address specified on the Application for Graduation by the end of June. Each student who participates in the In-Person commencement ceremony will receive a commemorative scroll as they walk across the platform. Virtual ceremony graduates will receive a copy of the printed Commencement program, including all graduates’ names by mail after the In-Person ceremony.
Do I need to attend the Rehearsal?
All participating graduates are expected to attend a brief “walk-through” of the ceremony. Rehearsal begins at 9am. Come prepared to participate, there will not be additional preparation time. Graduates participating in the Virtual ceremony will receive additional information via email about submitting photos to be displayed during the reading of their names on the Virtual ceremony video.
What about honor cords?
Honor cords will be distributed to those who earned academic honors during the In-Person pre-ceremony rehearsal. Honor cords are awarded to associate and bachelor degree recipients who earned at least a 3.3 cumulative GPA (Honors) or a 3.7 cumulative GPA (High Honors). Since the graduate programs are considered to be honor programs, academic honors are not awarded to Master degree recipients. Graduates who RSVP for the Virtual Ceremony and qualify for honors will receive their cords via mail.
What is the difference between live-streaming and virtual Commencement?
The In-Person Commencement on May 2, 2026, at 10:30 am EDT in Grand Rapids, MI will be live-streamed, and can be found on our Facebook page here shortly before the ceremony begins. For those who are participating in or inviting guests to view the Virtual Ceremony, that video will premiere on May 15, 2026, at 2:00 pm EDT. The location of the link will be available through our website and will be posted on our Facebook page.