Tickets are not required for Commencement, however, seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Looking to reserve rooms in advance of Commencement weekend? The College maintains relationships with hotels and bed and breakfasts in or near Ashland, through a partner website. Consider booking a special rate in advance.
Regalia must be ordered through the Oak Hall store. Regalia consists of the following and is sold as a set:
Wondering how the Hood works? *Please see information below on sponsors.
Honor cords and medals representing Academic Honor Groups and Societies that are recognized by the College, and earned by the graduate, may also be worn during the Commencement Exercises.
Greek stoles representing membership in Greek Fraternities or Sororities recognized by the College may also be worn.
We will not hold an in-person rehearsal. Instructions for where to report at 9 a.m. on Sunday will be sent individually via RMC email to each graduate. Please be sure to check your email on Friday afternoon, May 22 for this important information.
The traditions of sponsors and the hooding ceremony is a special part of the RMC ceremony.
A sponsor is someone special who will participate during the ceremony by processing and recessing with you. (When selecting your sponsor, keep in mind there is a large amount of walking involved.) They will sit in the row directly behind you and can be anyone you choose – a parent or other family member, friend, faculty member, coach, etc. They will also participate in the hooding ceremony which is a point during the ceremony when your sponsor will place the academic hood (you’ll order it through the bookstore when you order your regalia) over your head and around your neck. This will be done en masse with your classmates and their sponsors shortly before you walk across the stage. Please note, only ONE sponsor per student is allowed. Here is a video about how to hood your graduate.
Graduating seniors and their sponsors must be present PROMPTLY at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 24 on the Historic Old Campus to assemble in the proper order for the graduation ceremony. Seniors must have a cap and gown and their sponsor will carry their hoods; the tassel should hang on the right.
Commencement will be held outside rain or shine. However, should there be a threat of an electrical storm, the Commencement exercises will be delayed or canceled depending on the severity of the storm.
Please prepare for the possibility of rain with appropriate rain gear. Umbrellas will not be allowed for graduates in the procession. Umbrellas are also not allowed to be used in the seating area, to prevent obstruction. Graduates may wear ponchos or rain gear over your regalia.
If needed, updates will be communicated in the following ways:
Please refrain from bringing these, or similar items into the venue.
Also please remember, RMC is a completely smoke and vape-free campus. Please refrain from using these products while on campus.
General Parking is available in the following lots:
For your reference: Campus Map
*Parking for Persons with Disabilities is available along Caroline Street. Anyone with handicap license plates or a clearly visible DMV-issued handicap placard will automatically be directed to our accessible parking. For those without official DMV-issued credentials, we highly recommend you drop off passengers who are unable to walk long distances and then proceed to general parking. Guests should turn left onto College Avenue from Henry Street and proceed to the drop off location in the Admissions parking lot. This is one block away from the ceremony location and golf cart transportation will be available if assistance is needed.
Parking passes for special exceptions are available in limited quantities and on a limited basis. Please contact the Commencement Planning Team to request a special needs parking permit. Requests must be made by Friday, May 15, 2026. Please note that passes will be emailed the week of May 18 to the address provided when making the request.
