Commencement Information

New this year: HCC will be live streaming the commencement ceremony! 

Do you have friends or family members who can't make it to commencement? On June 1 at 10:00 a.m. we will begin live streaming the ceremony. We will place a link on HCC's home page at www.hcc.edu that will enable those who can't attend to view the event from start to finish!

About Commencement

Holyoke Community College's Sixty-Sixth Commencement will take place on Saturday, June 1, 2013, 10:00 a.m. to noon, under a tent on the O'Connell Soccer Field at HCC, right next to the David M. Bartley Center for Athletics and Recreation. 

There is no limit to the number of guests that graduates may invite. The tent opens at 9:00 a.m. and we recommend that family and friends arrive early to ensure comfortable seating. We ask that guests be seated no later than 9:45 a.m. Those who arrive after that will have to wait until the graduate procession concludes. In consideration of the members of the graduating class and their families, we ask that all graduates and guests kindly remain for the entire Commencement ceremony. 

Map & Directions

For visitors unfamiliar with HCC, use these directions and this map to locate parking and the commencement tent. 

Caps and Gowns

Graduating students may pick up caps and gowns at the HCC bookstore after May 1. There is no charge for your cap and gown, however, please be sure to bring a photo ID: you must have an ID to get your cap and gown. Don't have your HCC ID? Your driver's license will be fine!

Phi Theta Kappa students may purchase stoles and tassels at the Bookstore for $25.

Commencement Day for Graduates

Please arrive at the Bartley Center by 9:00 a.m. with your cap and gown. Inside the Bartley Center, you will find tables marked A-Z containing graduation envelopes sorted by last name. Your envelope contains a tassel and a name card. Hang the tassel on your cap (right side), and keep your name card to give to the reader when you walk across the stage. 

Highlights of Commencement

Commencement Speakers
Each year two HCC students are chosen to address the graduating class. This year's student orators are:
• Matt Cunningham
• Samantha Melendez

2013 Elaine Marieb Faculty Chair for Teaching Excellence
This award recognizes a full-time faculty member with five or more years of service who exemplifies outstanding classroom teaching. The award was founded in 1991, by Elaine Marieb, HCC professor of anatomy and physiology. The award recognizes the professional development, skills, and dedication to student learning that HCC faculty bring to the classroom. Once selected, the name of this year's recipient will be posted here.

Presentation of the Class Gift
The name of the student who will present the gift of the Class of 2013 will appear here.

Distinguished Service Awards
Each year, the college recognizes the achievements of individuals whose dedication and outstanding service to HCC have enhanced the value of the undergraduate experience and improved the quality of life for all on campus. Once chosen, their names will appear here.

Profiles of Excellence
Each year we put faces to the HCC tagline "Futures Inspired" through "Profiles of Excellence," a series of student profiles that we send to the local media to showcase the diversity and excellence of our graduates. A link to the profiles of our 2013 graduates will appear here.

Valedictorians
HCC recognizes those who have earned a perfect 4.0 GPA (grade point average) with the title of valedictorian. Once determined, the names of the Class of 2013 valedictorians will appear here.

Photography by Grad Images
Grad Images will photograph each graduate as s/he receives a diploma. Graduates will receive a color proof by mail from GradImages, with no obligation to order. For questions or to place orders, contact them at www.gradimages.com or (800) 261-2576.

Diplomas
Diplomas for January and May graduates will be mailed on or around June 10. Diplomas for summer graduates will be mailed shortly after August 26.  We must have an accurate mailing address for your diploma! Check your address at your HCC online services account. If you need to make changes, submit them in writing to us by mail to the Student Records Office or in person at the Student Records Office (Frost 221). Be sure to include "2013 graduate" at the top. Updates must be completed by May 24, 2013. Diplomas may not be mailed to students with outstanding obligations to HCC (parking tickets, library books, fines, etc.), so please take care of these in advance! 

Questions? Contact College Affairs Committee Chair Elizabeth Golen at egolen@hcc.edu.