Please read the following information carefully!

With your application for graduation, you indicated that you would like to participate in the 2025 May Commencement Ceremony. The Commencement Ceremony is a traditional academic service and signifies the completion of the degree or certificate being awarded. Summer 2024, Fall 2024, and Spring 2025 graduates may participate in the May ceremony. Summer 2025 graduates may participate in the May ceremony if they are not taking more than 6 credits in the summer. Only students who have filed an application for graduation and have met all requirements will be permitted to participate in the ceremony.

General Ceremony Information

• The Annual Commencement ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. at the Athletic, Recreation, and Community Center (ARCC) on campus. The procession of graduates and faculty begins promptly at 9:30 a.m. Graduates need to arrive dressed in their Graduation Regalia for line up at 9:00 a.m.
• A Commencement Ceremony rehearsal for all students participating in the ceremony will be held Friday, May 16, 2025; 4-5 pm at the ARCC. Please plan to arrive by 3:30pm.
• Given our ability to use the ARCC for the Annual Commencement Ceremony, your graduation will happen rain or shine.
• The Annual Commencement Ceremony is NOT a ticketed event; therefore, you are able to invite as many guests as you would like. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Please encourage guests to arrive early. Guests that arrive after 9:30am, will be asked to sit in a seating area specific to latecomers. We do expect to be at maximum capacity for graduation; live online viewing will be available for guests who choose not to attend in person.
• The Commencement Ceremony will run approximately one hour and a half in length.
• Dress code guidelines can be found on our webpage: Graduation Decorum and Dress Code
• Graduates must wear the approved HCC Graduation Regalia which includes the Cap with Tassel, Gown, and Stole to participate in the ceremony. Graduation Regalia will be shipped to the HCC Campus Store. You will receive an email when items are ready for pick-up and you must show a photo ID.
• The Annual Commencement Ceremony will be live-streamed on Facebook for your friends/family to watch online.
• A handicap seating area will be available to guests needing such provisions at each ceremony. There is a limited amount of designated seating for guests with special seating needs (e.g., wheelchair, disabled, elderly). Guests with special accommodations will be assisted by designated HCC staff. Guests with special accommodations may have no more than three escorts sit with them in the handicap seating. If you need special accommodations for you and/or your guest(s), please contact the Disability Support Services Office by Friday, May 9, 2025 at 240-500-2273 or dss@hagerstowncc.edu.
• Except to follow directions to and from the stage, graduates are asked to remain in their seats for the entire ceremony.
• Guest parking will be in HCC Parking Lots (K, L and O Lots). Be prepared to walk (due to the distance from parking lots to guest entrance). Handicap Parking will be available in the L1 Lot, as it is closest in proximity to the ARCC.
• Graduates will receive a diploma cover at the ceremony but printed diplomas will not be available until after May 17, 2025. Details regarding this will be sent via email at a later time.
   

Graduation Regalia Information

Eligible graduates who are participating in the May 17, 2025, Commencement Ceremony are required to wear Graduation Regalia which includes the Cap with Tassel, Gown, and Stole.

• Graduation Regalia online ordering will open March 3, 2025.
• All students who have applied for and are eligible to graduate will receive an email, to their student email account, with Graduation Regalia ordering information.
• After the Graduation Regalia ordering has closed, students may still apply to graduate but will not be allowed to walk in the Commencement Ceremony.
• Graduation Regalia will be shipped to the HCC Campus Store. You will receive an email when items are ready for pick-up and you must show a photo ID.
• Members of Phi Theta Kappa wear a gold stole and tassel. PTK graduates can purchase stoles and/or cords directly from https://www.ptk.org/. Please do so in advance to allow for shipping and delivery time.  
• United States Veterans, may wear a red, white, and blue cord provided by the HCC Veterans Club. Veteran students may pick up a cord at the Rehearsal or on the morning of Commencement at the Veterans' table in the lobby of the ARCC.
   

Commencement Photographs

Professional photography through HCC is provided by Classic Photography & Imaging, which will take a photo of each graduate. Photos will be available to view and order online at www.classic-photo.com. There is no obligation to purchase photos.

The ceremony will be live-streamed on HCC’s Facebook Page and a video recording will be placed on HCC’s YouTube station. We are pleased to offer this option for those unable to attend for any reason.

Diploma/Certificate Pickup

Students participating in the May ceremony are able to pick up their diploma or certificate the Monday following commencement. Diplomas may be picked up in person in the Administration and Student Affairs Building at the Admissions/Records Department counter during normal business hours. Students must present a photo ID to obtain their diploma

Contact Us

Our graduates have worked hard and deserve a ceremony to recognize their achievement; thank you for doing your part in making this a successful event. We look forward to celebrating with you!

If you have any additional questions regarding the Commencement Ceremony, please contact Lee Smith at rlsmith6@hagerstowncc.edu or by phone at 240-500-2526. For the status of your application for graduation or diploma, please contact Chris Baer at wcbaer@hagerstowncc.edu or by phone at 240-500-2341.

IF YOU DESIGNATED YOUR ATTENDANCE ON YOUR GRADUATION APPLICATION FOR THE MAY 17, 2025 COMMENCEMENT AND YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND, PLEASE CONTACT LEE SMITH at rlsmith6@hagerstowncc.edu or by phone at 240-500-2526.