CLTCC Spring 2025 Commencement
General Information
Location: Laborde Earles Coliseum
Date: May 20, 2025
Time: 11:00 a.m.
The Spring 2025 Commencement Ceremony will take place on Tuesday, May 20 at 11:00 am at the Laborde Earles Coliseum (formerly The Rapides Parish Coliseum) 5600 Coliseum Blvd., Alexandria, LA 71303.
Please make sure you give yourself and your guests enough time to find parking and arrive on time.
Digital Commencement Program
The official Central Louisiana Technical Community College Commencement Program can be found by clicking this link.
Livestream of the Commencement Ceremony
We’re excited to announce that the CLTCC Commencement Ceremony will be livestreamed! Friends and family can join the celebration from anywhere by watching online at this link. Tune in and celebrate our graduates with us!
Commencement Ceremony Etiquette
Out of respect for all graduates and the significance of the occasion, all graduates are to remain seated until the commencement ceremony has officially concluded. Your full participation is expected to ensure the dignity and smooth flow of the event for everyone involved. We also ask that graduates and audience members adhere to the rules of the Laborde Earles Coliseum which can be found here, at their social media post.
As a courtesy to all graduates we ask that everyone allow for the announcement of all graduate names so everyone can hear their name and the name of their graduate called.
Accessibility Information
For guests requiring accessible entry and seating, please visit the Laborde Earles Coliseum website.
Commencement Address Speaker
The commencement address will be delivered by Chair of the Louisiana Community & Technical College Board of Supervisors, Timothy W. Hardy. Hardy is a partner in the Baton Rouge, Louisiana office of the Breazeale, Sachse, & Wilson law firm where his area of concentration is environmental law. He is also an adjunct professor of law at the Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where he has taught Environmental Law for more than 25 years. He previously served as the top advisor for environmental affairs to former Louisiana Governor Buddy Roemer, as Assistant Secretary for the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, and as a Division Director for the Louisiana Department of Justice. He was also named a Distinguished Alumnus by the Southern University Law Center in 2009 and was named to the Southern University Law Center Hall of Fame in 2012. Hardy previously served as an Assistant Attorney General in the Environmental Section of the Louisiana Department of Justice and later as Director of the Public Protection Division within the Louisiana Department of Justice. He was named by Governor Jeff Landry as one of five Co-Chairs of his Transition Team.
He later chaired the Coastal and Environment Council during Transition. He has served on a total six Louisiana gubernatorial transition teams for both newly elected Democratic and Republican governors. He also holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry and worked in a number of technical and research positions prior to attending law school. He was named a Distinguished Alumnus by the Southern University Department of Chemistry in 2008.
Graduates and Faculty Entrance
Graduates will report to the designated area to pick up their line up card at 9:00 AM. Students will then be given instructions to line up for the ceremony. Please note that this is one hour before the doors open for the public at 10:00 AM.
Graduates will proceed to the reserved area directly in front of the platform and be seated. Seating will be reserved for graduates only. A CLTCC employee will be positioned at the beginning and end of each row to assist in seating.
Faculty will then process in to the appropriate seating area. The platform party, which includes special guests and deans, is led by Chancellor Jimmy Sawtelle, EdD and will process in to the stage after the faculty processional. The platform party will ascend the steps and stand in front of their designated seats, except Dr. Sawtelle who will move to the podium.
Awarding of Diplomas
Graduates will then be presented their diploma cover. A CLTCC employee will lead the graduates to the appropriate area to ascend the stage. At the appropriate time as the row of graduates shortens, a CLTCC employee will lead the next row to the appropriate area until all diploma covers have been awarded.
Recessional
Following the benediction, as the recessional plays, Dr. Sawtelle will lead the procession out followed by the platform party and the faculty. Graduates will then process out to the main lobby in a double line.
Q & A
Q: Can students decorate their Grad Caps?
A: Yes, students can decorate their Grad Caps the top only and nothing can hang down.
Q: Are there any items I cannot bring?
A: Balloons, glitter, silly string, noise makers, etc. are not allowed. Firearms, smoking/vaping, food, and all beverages, except water, are prohibited.
Q: How long will the ceremony last?
A: The duration of each ceremony is dependent on the number of graduates who participate but usually runs for 75-90 minutes.
Q: Am I expected to stay for the entire ceremony?
A: Yes, the last degree candidate is as important as the first so we ask that you be considerate.
Q: Is there a limit on the number of guests I can invite?
A: At this time, there is no limit to the number of guests a graduate may invite to commencement.
Q: Will guests need tickets to attend?
A: Tickets will not be required for the Spring 2025 Commencement ceremonies.
Q: I have a guest who will need accommodations. What should I do?
A: Wheelchair-accessible parking will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. A state-issued handicap placard or license plate is required for parking in this area.
Q: Can I view the Commencement ceremony online?
A: Yes, the Commencement ceremony will be live-streamed through CLTCC social media channels.