Graduation & Commencement

Graduation Application

All graduates must complete the Black Hawk College Graduation Application. Financial obligations to BHC must be fulfilled before your diploma or transcripts will be issued.

Graduation Application 2022-2023 (PDF)*

*Due no later than March 17, 2023.

Final audits will take place and diplomas will be mailed within eight weeks after the end date of the term in which academic work was completed.

The graduation date for summer candidates is in July. However, certain programs have a completion date in August and in these cases, the last date of academic work will be used as students’ graduation date. Students with degree completion dates after the start of the fall semester will have graduation dates in December.

2023 Commencement Ceremonies Information

For both ceremonies:

  • Tickets are not needed. No limit to number of guests.
  • Parking is free.
  • Venues are handicapped accessible.
  • Sign language interpreter at each ceremony.

Quad-Cities Campus Commencement
Thursday, May 18, 2023
7 p.m.
Vibrant Arena at The MARK (formerly the TaxSlayer Center)
1201 River Drive, Moline, IL
Vibrant Arena event information – No bag policy, security checkpoints, cashless concessions
Rehearsal is required.
Thursday, May 18
12-1:30 p.m.

East Campus Commencement
Friday, May 19, 2023
7 p.m.
Illinois National Guard Armory
111 N. East St, Kewanee, IL
Rehearsal is required.
Friday, May 19
9-11 a.m. (approximately)

Graduation Honors

Honors are based upon your GPA at the end of the fall semester and the number of semester hours enrolled in through the spring semester since final grades aren’t available until after commencement.

Summa Cum Laude: 60 hours of graded work at Black Hawk College with a cumulative 3.95 grade point average or higher.
Magna Cum Laude: 45 hours of graded work at Black Hawk College with a cumulative 3.85 grade point average or higher.
Cum Laude: 30 hours of graded work at Black Hawk College with a cumulative 3.75 grade point average or higher.

Official graduation honors noted on the diploma and academic record will be determined when the degree requirements are completed. Only associate degree candidates qualify for graduation honors.

Honor societies

You will receive more information through your chapters:

Alpha Beta Gamma: If you are a member of Alpha Beta Gamma, you will be eligible to wear an Alpha Beta Gamma stole.
Phi Theta Kappa: If you are a member of Phi Theta Kappa, you will be eligible to wear a Phi Theta Kappa stole and/or tassel.
Psi Beta: If you are a member of Psi Beta, you will be eligible to wear a Psi Beta cord.
Sigma Kappa Delta: If you are a member of Sigma Beta Gamma, you will be eligible to wear a Sigma Kappa Delta cord.