Commencement Ceremony

Candidates for graduation participating in Commencement must wear official academic regalia (cap, gown, and hood).

Eligible graduates may pick up their caps and gowns, yours to keep, from the Campus Book Store May 1 through May 24 during normal business hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Fridays). Regalia will be held at the register.

Photo ID is required and your name must appear on the list of eligible graduates generated by the Registrar’s office weekly.

Each candidate for graduation will receive 10 GUEST Tickets with cap and gown pickup at the college Book Store [see “Pick Up Attire” above].

ADDITIONAL TICKETS
(3 to 5 per graduate; in order to receive, must present MCCC Student ID)

• Prior to Commencement day: Available at campus Enrollment Centers beginning May 1 -- Monday through Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at West Windsor and until 4 p.m. at the James Kerney Campus.
• Day of Commencement: Available on a “first come first served” basis at the CURE Arena Box Office Will Call window after 1:30 p.m.

PLEASE NOTE: Balloons are not permitted inside the Arena.

Graduation gowns are cut low enough in the front to show a shirt or top, even when you wear a hood. Best choices:

• collared dress shirt and tie to display a professional appearance
• scoop-neck top with a modest cut or a collared blouse

Tips for Wearing Your Cap, Gown, and Hood

1. Adjust the gown so that it sits comfortably on your shoulders.
2. Put the hood over your head with the velvet side up and the small, tapered end in front.
3. Secure the hood so it doesn’t slip off. Use the cord on the front to secure the hood to a shirt button or use a safety pin to attach it to a blouse or dress.
4. Let your colors show. Turn the colors outward and roll the velvet edge out as well so that the inside colors show.
5. Place the cap on your head so that the point is lined up with the middle of your forehead. You may need to use some bobby pins or clips to keep it securely on your head.
6. Fasten your tassel to the button on the top of the mortarboard. Initially, position your tassel on the right side. Eventually you will shift it to the left once your degree has been conferred.

For admission, every attendee will be required to present one of the following to CURE Arena staff at the entrance gate:

• a valid MCCC ID
• a printed MCCC Commencement entry ticket

[see “Inviting Guests” for details on ticket distribution]

CURE Arena is off Route 129 on the corner of Hamilton Avenue and South Broad Street in the heart of Trenton [directions].

We encourage ride share, public transit, and carpooling whenever possible.

The venue has four parking lots -- opening at 1 p.m. -- within a short, safe walking distance:
enter Parking Lot 1 at Hamilton Avenue
enter Parking Lots 2 & 4 at South Broad Street
enter Parking Lot 11 at Market Street

Parking Lot #2 in front of Gate A is handicapped accessible (show decal/placard).

NO CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL ALLOWED IN THE ARENA PARKING LOTS.

Rideshare drop off / pick up - Lot #2 / Gate A
>> Drivers must arrive 30 minutes prior to end of event to enter Lot #2 for pickup.
>> If your driver is NOT on-site 30 minutes prior to pickup, you MUST set your own pickup location to avoid traffic.

• Balloons are not permitted inside the Arena.
• For your safety and that of our guests, kindly refrain from bringing backpacks and other bulky items to the event. Such items will not be permitted in the ceremony area.
• Alcohol consumption is prohibited on CURE Arena grounds -- the building as well as parking lots.

Candidates for graduation participating in the Commencement ceremony are required to check in at CURE Arena (main entrance - Gate C / Parking Lot #1. If Lot #1 is full, please park in Lot #4, where a shuttle will be available for transport to the Arena) by 1:30 p.m.

Participants should arrive dressed in their academic regalia (cap, gown, and hood) with tassel positioned on the right side of cap.

Participants will be guided to the staging area. The Processional lineup will begin at the CURE Arena loading dock.

Graduates needing assistance (seating, processional, etc.) or who have a disability prohibiting them from walking across the stage, please contact the Center for Inclusion, Transition and Accessibility at (609) 570-3422 by Monday, May 1, for special arrangements.

Handicapped seating areas will be available for guests.

Parking Lot #2 in front of Gate A is handicapped accessible (show decal/placard).

CURE Arena accessibility services

For those unable to attend the May 15 Commencement as well as other MCCC graduation-related ceremonies, most will be livestreamed online and recordings will be made available for future viewing.

Describing where she comes from as a small, beautiful countryside in the Dominican Republic, Amelia Melendez -- accepted to Princeton University -- tells of always having had a passion for science, “as it captivates me like nothing else.” Majoring in both Mathematics and Physics at Mercer, she says, serves her dream of becoming a scientific researcher with the ultimate goal of contributing to the advancement of humanity by delving into groundbreaking areas such as nuclear fusion for clean energy.

Tomika L. Sommers, a native of Trenton and MCCC graduate, is an accomplished law enforcement professional with a remarkable career spanning over two decades. Heeding a call to duty early in life, she enlisted in the U.S. Army and later in the Air Force to complete a successful military career.

Later joining the Trenton Police Department, she quickly proved to be a capable and dedicated officer, earning the respect of colleagues and the community. Currently, she works as a detective in the Community Affairs Unit.

Her unwavering dedication coupled with extensive experience and education leading to a master’s degree -- including an associate degree in Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement) from Mercer -- make her a formidable force in the field of law enforcement.

Detective Sommers continues to serve as an inspiration to her colleagues and a beacon of hope for those seeking justice.  more

PROCESSIONAL (entering the ceremony)
Assembled at the Arena loading dock, candidates for graduation will line up two by two according to academic discipline. This double line will join the processional march following the faculty and be seated directly behind the faculty. (Follow the guidance of the ushers.)

Reminder: Candidates for graduation are to wear their tassels on the right side of their cap until their degrees are conferred.

RECESSIONAL (departing the ceremony)
Graduates will join the recessional march following the faculty. (Follow the guidance of the ushers.)

A professional photographer will take your picture alongside the College President and when you step off the stage.

Please return to your seat and remain there until all graduates have had their photos taken and the full ceremony has concluded. Ushers will be on hand to direct you through the procedure.

Because the ceremony is livestreamed, family picture taking is confined to designated areas.

Graduates and their guests are invited to join the celebratory activities along the concourse at CURE Arena. There will be picture stations, graduation merchandise, and concessions.

REMINDER: Balloons are not permitted inside the Arena.

Congratulations Graduates!

Graduates do not receive their actual diploma at Commencement. A packet of information will be provided that contains details about receiving your diploma.

Please refer to arrangements for your diploma from the Office of the Registrar.