Herkimer County Community College's 44th Annual Commencement

Friday, May 18, 2012 at 5:00pm in the HCCC Gymnasium, Reception to follow

Seeking Student Speaker for Commencement 2012

The Commencement Committee is seeking applications from members of the Class of 2012 who are interested in being the student speaker at Commencement. To be considered, you must submit a completed application and draft speech to the Public Relations Office by Friday, March 9, 2012.

Important Commencement Information for the Class of 2012

Congratulations on your upcoming graduation from Herkimer County Community College! The Commencement ceremony will be held Friday, May 18, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. in the Physical Education Building. If you plan to participate in the Commencement ceremony, please carefully note the following:

Commencement Regalia

Caps and gowns will be available for pick-up in the College Bookstore Monday, April 16 through Friday, May 11 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. To receive caps and gowns, all students must show photo ID (i.e., driver's license, HCCC ID or other government-issued photo ID). You will be fitted for your cap/gown at pick up, and will be asked to sign for them. If you are unable to pick up your cap/gown during this time, contact Mr. Prokopienko at the College Bookstore by May 11 to make special arrangements (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 315-866-1550).

Graduates with a 3.8 GPA or higher (as of completion of fall 2011 semester) are entitled to wear a gold honors stole which will be distributed upon check-in at the Technology Building on May 18. Phi Theta Kappa members in good standing are eligible to wear blue and gold cords, and Honors Program graduates are eligible to wear gold cords. Eligible students should see the PTK advisor or Honors program coordinator before the end of the semester to pick up cords.

Guest Tickets

You can pick up guest tickets for admission to the gymnasium in the College Bookstore when you pick up your cap and gown. Graduates who pick up their cap and gown no later than April 27 will receive three guest tickets. Those picking up after April 27 will receive two guest tickets. Due to limited seating, each guest entering the gymnasium will be required to present a ticket. Seating is general admission on a first-come, first-served basis. Additional seating will be available in the Sarkus-Busch Theater (McLaughlin College Center), where the ceremony will be broadcast live on a large screen, for any guests who do not have tickets.

If extra tickets are available once all students participating in the ceremony have received their tickets, the College will distribute extra tickets on a first-come, first-served basis from 2-4 p.m. on Thursday, May 17 in the RMCC lobby (in front of the Sarkus-Busch Theater). In fairness to all graduates, if extra tickets are available, a maximum of two additional tickets per graduate will be allowed.

Special Needs

If you or a guest will need any special accommodations, such as a ramp to the stage or handicapped-accessible seating, please notify the Public Relations Office by Friday, April 20 at 315-866-0300 ext. 8259 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Photography

A professional photographer will take photos of each student as they graduate. Within a few weeks of the ceremony, graduates will receive a wallet-size proof and purchase information via postal mail.

Diplomas

Graduates will receive a diploma cover only at Commencement. Diplomas will be mailed to all graduates within a few weeks after the ceremony.

Graduation Fee

All graduates must pay the graduation fee to the Bursar's Office regardless of whether they plan to participate in Commencement. The fee must be paid before your diploma can be released to you. If you are not sure whether you've paid the graduation fee, you may check your account summary on Student Online Services or call the Bursar's Office at (315) 866-0300, ext. 8315.

Commencement Line-Up

There is no Commencement rehearsal, so it is very important for graduates to report to the HCCC Technology Center no later than 4:00 p.m. on Friday, May 18, so proper marching order can be arranged. Late arrivals may not be permitted to participate in the ceremony. Graduates will be lined up alphabetically in order of major, and then by last name. Please refrain from bringing valuables with you (i.e. purses, keys, etc.) as all belongings will be stored in a secure room during the Commencement ceremony.

Post-Commencement Reception

Graduates and their guests are invited to a post-Commencement reception immediately following the ceremony in the McLaughlin College Center.

For Questions

Graduation requirements/Diplomas: Registrar's Office, 315.866.0300 ext. 8580
Graduation Fee: Bursar's Office, 315.866.0300, ext. 8315
Regalia: Bookstore, 315-866-1550 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Commencement ceremony: Public Relations Office, 315.866.0300, ext. 8259 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Maps and Directions to HCCC