Southwest Technical College

Southwest Wisconsin Technical College holds regular commencement ceremonies — for example, the Fall 2025 ceremony is scheduled in their Building 400 Auditorium, with two sessions. Graduates must file the Program Completion Application via MySWTC to receive their diploma or participate in the ceremony.

For students who qualify with a program cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above, SWTC awards high‑honor status. High‑honor graduates receive special gold honor cords to wear during commencement.

Academic regalia — including caps, gowns, and tassels — are distributed by Student Services beginning the Monday before graduation. Students pick up their regalia at no extra cost (assuming obligations are cleared).

For graduates completing associate degrees, SWTC also provides **hoods** (for the ceremony only). In addition, eligible graduates may receive approved honor cords or veteran/organization cords; hoods are returned after the ceremony, but cords and honor items are kept.

The official policy strictly prohibits decorating the graduation cap or gown — ensuring uniform academic regalia and maintaining the formal integrity and dignity of the commencement ceremony.

Southwest Technical College (SWTC) celebrates student achievement with formal commencement ceremonies each semester. Graduates are required to wear official academic regalia, including graduation gowns, caps, and tassels, provided by Student Services. The institution maintains strict uniformity to uphold the dignity and tradition of academic ceremonies.

Bachelor’s Degree Regalia: Students completing associate or applied bachelor programs receive standard black gowns with a matching mortarboard cap. Tassels are typically black or gold, while honor cords and stoles are awarded to students who meet academic excellence, leadership, or organizational criteria.

Master’s Degree Regalia: Master’s candidates wear black gowns with additional features such as velvet panels and sleeve chevrons. Tassels, stoles, and honor cords are provided in accordance with SWTC recognition policies, highlighting academic achievement or program-specific distinctions.

Doctoral Degree Regalia: Doctoral graduates are issued traditional black doctoral gowns with velvet trimming, matching caps, and tassels. Honor cords and stoles signify scholarly distinction and institutional recognition.

Faculty Regalia: Faculty members and academic leaders wear specialized regalia featuring SWTC-approved colors and insignias representing their discipline and academic rank, ensuring ceremonial consistency.

SWTC prohibits the decoration of caps or gowns to maintain a cohesive academic presentation. All ceremonial items are collected or issued by Student Services prior to the commencement date. Honor cords, stoles, and other recognition accessories are retained by students following the ceremony.