The day you’ve been thinking about since you started at Trident is finally here: Graduation. Congratulations on your outstanding achievement! The 2019 Graduation Information Guide can help those who need to plan far in advance. Registration for the 2020 Commencement Ceremony is not currently open. For questions or cancellations please email commencement@trident.edu.
Due to the Coronavirus please do not book travel at this time for the 2020 Graduation until permission to resume large gatherings and events is confirmed.
2020 Trident Graduation on Saturday, July 25th 2020 at Segerstrom Center for the Arts
Ceremony & Tickets
The Trident Commencement Ceremony will be held on Saturday, July 25th 2020, at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. All graduates must arrive by 10am. You will need tickets for anyone occupying a theater seat, including children who are not sitting on a lap. Graduates may request up to 10 tickets, free of charge. If tickets are available after the RSVP deadline, they will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Strollers: Due to fire codes, strollers/carriages are not allowed in the theater, but may be left in a secured area in the lobby.
Diplomas: Your actual diploma will not be distributed at the commencement ceremony. Instead, it will be mailed to you upon completion of the degree clearance process.
Graduate Open House
Trident’s Alumni Association would like to extend an invitation to you and your guests to attend a Graduate Open House the day before commencement, July 2020 (exact date to be determined) at Trident’s campus in Cypress, CA. The Open House will enable you to connect with the faculty and staff who supported you on your academic journey, while also giving you the opportunity to see your Trident “campus.” There will be music, snacks, raffles, info tables by each department, giveaway’s, games, and more! Those who RSVP on the Graduation RSVP page will receive additional event information via email. Please note, the Cypress campus is approximately 30 minutes away from the Segerstrom Center for the Arts.
In order to meet with the Faculty and Staff from your College, please RSVP to attend during the timeframe outlined below:
- 11:00-12:00 – College of Business, Information Technology, and Education
- 12:00-1:00 – College of Health & Human Services and University College
Campus Tours will take place at the following times: 11:30am, 12:00pm, and 12:30pm.
If you need additional information, need to change your guest count or update your existing Open House RSVP, please contact Alumni@trident.edu.
2019 Trident Graduation Day Highlights
Watch some of the special moments at the 2019 Commencement Ceremony – watch the full ceremony here.
RSVP
Registration for the 2020 Commencement Ceremony is not currently open. For questions or cancellations please email commencement@trident.edu.
Directions
Segerstrom Center for the Arts
600 Town Center Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
https://www.scfta.org
Segerstrom Center for the Arts is located in the heart of the Orange County Theatre District, just East of South Coast Plaza. Segerstrom Center can be easily reached from either the 405 or the 55 Freeways, with signage directing you to the Center.
Traveling south on 405: Use the right two lanes to take exit 9B for Bristol Street. Use the left three lanes to turn left onto Bristol Street. Turn right onto Town Center Drive.
Traveling north on 405: Take exit 9B for Bristol Street/Avenue of the Arts toward Anton Blvd. Keep left and follow signs for Bristol Street. Use the right two lanes to turn right onto Bristol Street. Turn right onto Town Center Drive.
Traveling north on 55: Take exit 5C for Baker Street. Turn left onto Baker Street. Turn right onto Bristol Street. Turn right onto Town Center Drive.
Traveling south on 55: Take exit 7 for MacArthur Blvd. Use the right two lanes to turn right onto MacArthur Blvd. Turn left onto S. Flower Street. Turn right onto Sunflower Avenue. Turn left onto Park Center Drive. Turn left onto Town Center Drive.
Eligibility
Bachelors or masters students: You are eligible to participate in the Graduation Ceremony if you are in your final session on or before the Summer 2020 session or August 8-week Fastrac (session end date: October 4, 2020).
Doctoral students: To participate in the Graduation Ceremony, you must complete all of your requirements, including successfully defending your dissertation, by June 30, 2020.
If you completed your graduation requirements and degree clearance in a prior session and received approval from the Registration Office, you may participate in this or any future Trident Graduation Ceremony.
Degree Clearance: If the Office of the Registrar has not contacted you during the first month of your final session, please email your request.
Caps & Gowns
A cap and gown is required to participate in the Graduation Ceremony and may be ordered here. Class sashes and honor cords (for graduates with a 3.4 or higher GPA) are also available through this independent vendor. Orders will be shipped directly to you.
The last day to order your Cap & Gown products online is TBD 2020. Orders placed after this date may incur additional fees.
Announcements & Invitations
You can place an online order for your Trident Graduation announcements and invitations. If you have questions, call 800-433-0296.
Diploma & Picture Frames
You can place an online order for frames for your diploma or graduation photographs.
Class Rings
You can place an online order for your Trident class ring. If you have any questions about your ring order, please contact our representative, Ms. Maryann Bettendorf, at 657-220-5038 or mabettendorf@yahoo.com.
Photographs
Photographs will be taken during the Graduation Ceremony and made available to you to order online. Please Note: To maintain the formality of the Graduation Ceremony, guests are asked to remain seated. Also, photography and video recordings are NOT allowed during the ceremony.
Airports
If you are flying to Costa Mesa for the Trident Graduation Ceremony, choose from the following airports:
John Wayne Airport – Orange County (SNA): 3 miles away
Long Beach Airport (LGB): 20 miles away
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): 39 miles away
Lodging
Westin South Coast Plaza
686 Anton Blvd.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
714-540-2500
Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa Hotel
3350 Avenue of the Arts
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
714-751-5100
Wyndham Orange County
17941 Von Karman Avenue
Irvine, Ca 92614
949-863-1999
Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa
3050 Bristol Street
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
714-540-7000
Costa Mesa Marriott
500 Anton Blvd.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
714-957-1100
Entertainment
South Coast Plaza, “Where the World Comes to Shop.” Renowned as a major global shopping destination, South Coast Plaza is home to more than 250 prominent boutiques and critically-acclaimed restaurants. Its unparalleled collection of diverse retailers, from Bottega Veneta, Cartier, and Van Cliff & Arpels to Gucci, Roger Vivier, COACH, UNIQLO and more – along with its customized concierge services, makes it Southern California’s premier shopping experience. South Coast Plaza is located just across the street from Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Click on the link below to explore endless shopping and dining options.
http://www.southcoastplaza.com
Newport Beach, a coastal city in Southern California, is known for its large, boat-filled harbor. Balboa Peninsula has 2 piers, Newport Beach Pier and Balboa Pier, plus the Balboa Fun Zone, an old-school amusement park with a Ferris wheel and ocean views. Local beaches include the Wedge, known for its big waves, and Corona del Mar State Beach. Newport Beach is a short 30 – 40 minute drive from Segerstrom Center for the Arts.
The Orange County Museum of Art
850 San Clemente Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Exhibiting modern and contemporary works.
Dining
There are 42 restaurants at South Coast Plaza, from quick bites and specialty foods to casual dining to fine dining. Click on the link below to find what fancies your palate.
http://www.southcoastplaza.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/DiningDestinations_SP14_FNL.pdf
