RiverBlog: Everything You Need to Know About Indian River State College’s Spring 2026 Commencement 

Indian River State College celebrates a historic milestone this May — and here’s how to make the most of it. 

Indian River State College holds its Spring 2026 Commencement on May 6, 7, and 8 at the Westside Center, 3361 South Jenkins Road, Fort Pierce, Florida. More than 1,500 graduates will cross the stage across six ceremonies over three days. Whether you’re a graduate or a family member, this guide covers everything you need to know before, during, and after the ceremony. 

A Historic Moment: Indian River State College’s 100,000th Credential 

This year’s commencement marks a landmark achievement. The River awards its 100,000th credential during the Spring 2026 ceremony. College leaders have planned special recognition for this milestone, and the moment will be called out from the stage. It’s a remarkable testament to the college’s impact on the Treasure Coast region — and a powerful reason to be in the room. 

Ceremony Schedule: Six Ceremonies Over Three Days 

The River structures the ceremonies to give every graduate a focused, personal celebration. Here’s the breakdown: 

May 6 — Bachelor’s and Nursing Graduates Only 

• 9:00 a.m. — Bachelor’s Degree Ceremony 

• 3:00 p.m. — Nursing Ceremony (includes the traditional pinning ceremony) 

May 7 and May 8 — Associate Degrees and Certificate Programs 

• 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. each day 

Nursing students receive a dedicated ceremony that combines their graduation and pinning into one elevated, personalized event. All other graduates — from associate degree earners to technical and career certificate completers — celebrate across the remaining four ceremonies. 

Where to Go: Venue, Parking, and What to Expect on Arrival 

The Westside Center sits at 3361 South Jenkins Road in Fort Pierce. Traffic directors meet guests on arrival and guide them to parking. Staff and volunteers cover every entry point, so getting in is straightforward — as long as you arrive early. 

Arrive at least one hour before your ceremony. The venue opens early, gets you into air conditioning, and eliminates the stress of rushing. For guests at the 9:00 a.m. ceremonies, plan to leave around noon to beat traffic. For afternoon ceremonies starting at 2:00 p.m., grab a light meal beforehand and plan dinner for after. 

Snacks sell in the lobby, and a pop-up bookstore offers t-shirts, frames, and keepsake items. Flowers are a crowd favorite. Get there early and browse. 

Guests enter through the front of the venue. Graduates check in at a separate entrance and head to the graduate staging area. 

Each graduate receives up to five general admission tickets at $5 each through Thunder Tix. Graduates claim tickets through their Thunder Tix account after completing the commencement application. 

The deadline to claim tickets through the standard process is April 26. Starting April 27, any unclaimed tickets are released to the public. When extra tickets become available, graduates and guests receive notifications via text and email — but the checkout window is only 10 minutes, so act fast when that alert arrives. 

Graduate Check-In: More Than a Waiting Room 

Graduate check-in at The River is an event in itself. The college runs it inside a climate-controlled, tent-style space with lounge lighting, music, selfie stations, and personalized slideshow displays. Faculty members often stop by to take photos with their students. A dedicated MC keeps graduates informed and energized throughout the wait. 

Graduates march in rows of two, guided by nearly 100 volunteers at every step. No one has to wonder where to go — a smiling face waits at every turn. 

One practical tip: Wear comfortable shoes. Graduates stand for 15 to 20 minutes while waiting to walk. Style and comfort can coexist, but comfort wins on ceremony day. 

The Personal Graduation Slide (Don’t Miss This) 

Graduates who registered by the April 10 deadline through TASL (Tassel) unlock a personal graduation slide. The slide displays during the pre-ceremony and throughout the check-in area. It features the graduate’s photo and a personal message — a quote, a thank-you to family, or whatever they choose. 

Missed the deadline? No problem. The River turns no graduate away. Late registrants still walk across the stage. The only difference is the slide displays “Congratulations Graduate” instead of a personalized message, and a reader announces the name rather than the slide. 

Graduates pick up regalia at the Massey Campus Bookstore. The $65 fee covers the cap, gown, and tassel. Students with academic honors receive a gold honors cord included in the package. 

Academic honors recognized on stage: 

• Summa Cum Laude 

• Magna Cum Laude 

• Cum Laude 

Dr. Moore, Indian River State College president, mentions honor students during his speech, and each honor designation appears on the stage slide as the graduate walks across. Membership in organizations like Phi Beta Kappa also receives recognition on the slide. 

The River captures every graduate twice on stage — once during the presidential handshake and once as they exit, with the audience as a backdrop. A vendor called Grad Images sends graduates an email within one to two weeks after the ceremony with sample photos and ordering information. 

Additionally, The River offers something rare: a guest photo line. One guest per graduate joins a designated area along the front of the stage floor. As the graduate walks across, that guest takes photos on their own device in real time. It creates an immediate, shareable memory — no waiting for the professional images. 

Livestream for Remote Family Members 

Can’t make it to Fort Pierce? The River livestreams every ceremony. Find the stream link at www.irsc.edu — the college now features it prominently on the College’s homepage.  Log in a few minutes early to test your connection and find the right link. 

The River weaves military recognition throughout the entire ceremony. Veterans and active-duty graduates see a “Military” designation on their stage slide. Veterans Affairs staff greet them at check-in and again after they cross the stage, where graduates receive a challenge coin. 

Flag bearers — including a student flag bearer and a military flag bearer — open each ceremony. A Veterans Service table operates in the check-in area for any graduate who wants to connect with benefits and resources. 

The first commencement speaker of the season is Lance Corporal (Ret) Kyle Carpenter, Medal of Honor Recipient. His message to graduates promises to be one of the most memorable moments of the ceremonies. Other speakers will include the recording artist and entrepreneur Shawn Mims and technology entrepreneur and Indian River State College graduate Taylor Gerring. Ashley Barquin, Chief Nursing Officer at Florida Coast Medical Center, will speak at The River’s Health and Human Services graduation.   

Promise students cross the stage wearing a distinctive blue and gold Promise stole — and it stands out. The River’s Promise Program provides tuition-free associate degrees to eligible students.  

Graduates who received a tuition-free education through Promise finish their degree with no student loan debt. Spotting their stoles in the procession is one of the most powerful visuals of the entire ceremony. 

The River celebrates every credential equally — from 16-week technical certificates to bachelor’s degrees. Cosmetologists, welders, dental hygienists, nurses, engineers, and transfer students all walk the same stage. Many graduates are the first in their families to earn a college degree. Most stay in the Treasure Coast region and become the nurses, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and skilled tradespeople who power the local economy. 

Every technical certificate also connects to a pathway. Graduates can return to stack credits, build toward an associate degree, or advance to a bachelor’s — whenever they’re ready. The River isn’t a one-time stop; it’s a lifelong resource. 

For More Information

For more information, visit the Indian River State College commencement webpage.