Kendall College of Art and Design
(800) 676-2787
17 Fountain St. NW,
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Information for Spring/Summer 2025 Graduates
Annual Student Exhibition Information
Physical Exhibition
KCAD's 2025 Annual Student Exhibition will be on view from May 3 – May 11, 2025 at the DeVos Place Convention Center in downtown Grand Rapids.
To facilitate your participation, you must complete the 2025 KCAD Physical Annual Student Exhibition Participation Form by no later than March 17, 2025.
By completing this form, you confirm that:
- You want a designated physical space in the exhibition hosted at the DeVos Center.
- Your allocated space will accommodate the work you have confirmed and submitted (e.g., 2D work on a wall, 3D work on a pedestal, animated or digital work displayed on a monitor, or a banner with a poster rail, etc).
- You understand the expectations for exhibiting your work.
- You acknowledge the constraints of the exhibition space.
- You are aware of the installation, uninstallation, and required attendance dates for the reception.
- You agree to sign up for a two-hour shift to monitor the exhibition at some point
during its duration.
Online Exhibition
In addition to a physical exhibition, KCAD will present a complementary online exhibition that will go live at 12:00 pm on May 5, 2025. Details on participating in the online exhibition can be found under the Commencement and Online Annual Student Exhibition Participation section on this page.
Online Annual Student Exhibition Archive
2025 Commencement Ceremony
KCAD is proud to honor the graduating classes of December 2024 and Spring/Summer 2025 in a Commencement ceremony. For those unable to attend in person, the ceremony will also be live streamed on the KCAD website and main Facebook page.
Once your Application for Degree has been approved, you will receive additional information via your ferris.edu email.
WHEN:
Saturday, May 10, 2025 / 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
WHERE:
Forest Hills Fine Arts Center
600 Forest Hills Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
2025 Commencement Rehearsal
All December 2024 and Spring/Summer 2025 participating graduates are highly encouraged to attend the rehearsal. If you do not have transportation or are unable to coordinate transportation to the Fine Arts Center for Rehearsal, please email [email protected].
Individuals with disabilities who require special accommodations to participate in either event should email [email protected] at least 72 hours in advance.
WHEN:
Friday, May 9, 2025 / 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
WHERE:
Forest Hills Fine Arts Center
600 Forest Hills Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
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Commencement Ceremony Ticket and Lottery Information
Ticket information will be shared with confirmed participants by mid-March, 2025.
After the initial distribution, a ticket lottery will be held for those interested
in additional tickets.
Cap and Gown Ordering*
*Ordering a cap and gown is optional if you do not participate in the Commencement ceremony.
Cap and gown ordering is handled through an outside vendor, OakHall. There are three packages available:
Packages**
Associate degree package - $31 plus shipping
Includes gown (sized to fit), cap, and tassel.
Bachelor's degree package - $31 plus shipping
Includes gown (sized to fit), cap, and tassel.
Master's degree package - $63 plus shipping
Includes gown (sized to fit), cap, hood, and tassel.
**Your tassel is included in your package—you do not need to order the separate tassel that appears on the order screen after you add a package to your cart.
Ordering deadline
The last day to order without incurring expedited shipping charges is April 16, 2025.
Commencement and Online Exhibition Media and Information Submission
To facilitate your participation in our 2025 Commencement ceremony and 2025 Online Annual Student Exhibition (which will complement the physical exhibition to be held at the DeVos Place Convention Center in downtown Grand Rapids), you're required to complete the Commencement and Online Annual Student Exhibition Participation Form by the deadlines below:
- Undergraduate students: March 6, 2025
- Graduate students: March 19, 2025
By completing this form, you'll help us ensure that:
- We're using your preferred name throughout the Commencement ceremony and in the Online Annual Student Exhibition
- Your name is pronounced correctly when you're called to cross the stage at Commencement
- Your name is spelled correctly in the Commencement program and on the slide that will be shown on screen when you cross the stage
- Your Commencement slide will include your headshot and an image/short video of your work you've selected to represent your creative practice at KCAD
- We're showcasing your chosen creative work (3-5 pieces) in the Online Annual Student Exhibition
- We're promoting your professional website and/or Instagram handle (should you chose to submit them) in the Online Annual Student Exhibition
Diploma and Degree-Granting Dates
Degrees are granted and diplomas are issued to KCAD degree candidates in May, August, and December. The annual commencement ceremony is held in May. Students completing their coursework at the end of summer semester (August) may participate in the Commencement ceremony just prior to that summer semester.
Receiving Your Diploma by Mail
Student diplomas will be mailed to the address on file* with the college at the time of degree completion per the following schedule:
- Students who have completed their degree requirements as of December will receive their diploma in the mail in mid-to-late February.
- Students who will complete their degree requirements in May will receive their diploma in the mail in mid-to-late July.
- Students who complete their degree requirements in August will receive their diploma in the mail in late September.
*Students who move after completing their degree should correct their permanent address
on file through Ferris360, check for any holds (library fines, outstanding tuition
balance, etc.) on Ferris360, and complete Direct Loan Exit Counseling and/or Perkins
Loan Papers (if applicable).
Degree Application - Eligibility Guidelines
Current KCAD students who meet one of the following criteria are eligible and encouraged to participate in the college’s Commencement ceremony and Annual Student Exhibitions:
- Students who have completed their degree requirements as of December 2024
- Students who will complete their degree requirements in May 2025
- Students who plan to complete their degree requirements in August of 2025 and have nine (or fewer) credits remaining after the spring 2025 semester
Financial Aid, Exit Counseling, Loan Repayment, and Transcripts
Students who are graduating will receive a Direct Loan Exit Counseling/Perkins Loan Counseling e-mail and reminders from the Ferris Financial Aid Office. Please complete these, as applicable. Direct Loan Exit Counseling can be completed online. Perkins Loan Exit Counseling can be also completed online.
Please contact [email protected] with any questions regarding Direct Loan Exit Counseling, Perkins Loan Counseling, and/or student loan repayment.
TRANSCRIPT INFORMATION AND ORDERING
Graduation Cords and Stoles/Sashes
NOTE: graduation cords and stoles/sashes will be provided to students free of charge, and there is no need to order them in advance. These items can be picked up at Commencement rehearsal (May 9, 2025 from 10:00-11:30 am).
Honor Cords
The KCAD Master of Architecture, Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Associate of Arts, and Associate of Fine Arts are awarded “with Honors” when a student has earned a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher once grades for their final semester are calculated and their final GPA established. Transfer students must have earned at least 30 semester credit hours in residency prior to their final semester for honors consideration. The honors recognition is indicated in the Commencement program, on the diploma, and official transcript. Those graduating with or anticipated to graduate with honors are signified with honor cords of silver, teal, and red. The silver and teal cord represents KCAD, while the red cord represents KCAD’s connection with Ferris State University.
Students not planning to complete their degree requirements until August of 2025 will be considered for “Honors” after the spring 2025 semester. Students who have a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher after the spring 2025 semester will wear an honors cord, and the Commencement program will indicate a August graduation date.
First-Generation Cords
Students who are graduating or anticipated to graduate as a first-generation college graduate have the opportunity to be recognized with cords. First-generation cords are yellow and teal. The yellow represents both acquired knowledge and continued inquisitiveness. Yellow is seen as an uplifting color that illuminates happiness and hope. It is associated with creativity and new ideas, helping us to find new paths into the future. Teal represents a connection to both the past and the future. Teal is typically associated with the ideas of inspiration and growth. It represents both open-mindedness and uniqueness while encouraging objective and analytical thinking.
Veteran Cords
Students who are graduating or anticipated to graduate and are veterans have the opportunity to be recognized with cords. Veteran cords are red, white, and blue to recognize our veteran graduates' service to our country.
Multicultural Stole/Sash
Asian, Black, Hispanic/Latino, International, Native American and Multicultural students who are graduating or anticipated to graduate have the opportunity to celebrate their cultural heritage with a Ferris State University custom stole, designed by the Ferris Office of Multicultural Student Services.
Hispanic/Latino/Latina Stole/Sash
Hispanic/Latino/Latina students who are graduating or anticipated to graduate have the opportunity to celebrate their cultural heritage with a Hispanic/Latino/Latina Stole. This stole incorporates a black background overlaid with multicolored stripes to honor the shared heritage of Latinx cultures.
LGBTQ+ Stole/Sash
Students who are graduating or anticipated to graduate and identify as LGBTQ+ have the opportunity to celebrate their identity with a lavender stole that represents empowerment of the LGBTQ+ community at large.
Highest Honor-Valedictorian
One student is chosen from each year’s graduating class to receive the highest academic honor, represented by the receipt of a Bachelor’s Hood. Selection is based on academic achievement, on earning the majority or all 120 credits at KCAD, on the recommendation of the student’s program faculty, on community service to the college, and on leadership qualities.
The valedictorian will receive their Bachelor’s Hood during the Commencement ceremony.
Important Contact Information
Key Dates and Deadlines
October 25, 2024
Application for Degree submission deadline for spring/summer 2025 graduates
November 14, 2024
Fall 2024 Graduates Fair (11:30 am - 12:20 pm, Lower/Upper Student Commons)
February 26, 2025
Spring 2025 Graduates Fair (11:30 am - 12:20 pm, Lower/Upper Student Commons)
March 6, 2025
Commencement and Online Annual Student Exhibition Participation Form submission deadline
(undergraduate students)
March 17, 2025
Physical Annual Student Exhibition Participation Form submission deadline (all students)
March 19, 2025
What you don’t know: How to price your artwork for the 2025 Annual Student Exhibition
March 19, 2025
Commencement and Online Annual Student Exhibition Participation Form submission deadline
(graduate students)
April 30 -May 1, 2025
2025 Annual Student Exhibition install period (Times TBD)
May 3, 2025
2025 Annual Student Exhibition opens to the public
May 9, 2025
Commencement Rehearsal (10:00 am – 11:30 am)
May 9, 2025
2025 Annual Student Exhibition Closing Reception (4:00 – 7:00 pm)
May 10, 2025
Commencement Ceremony (10:00 am – 12:00 pm)
May 12 – 13, 2025
2025 Annual Student Exhibition uninstall period (Times TBD)