The second annual Commencement Ceremony of CT State Community College Manchester will be held on Thursday, May 22, at 5:30 p.m., at the Bicentennial Band Shell on the campus lawn in the rear of the campus.
The ceremony will honor graduating students for their academic achievements and perseverance said Umesh Vig, director of Student Affairs Operations, who added that between 800 and 900 students are expected to graduate this spring.
“This is their day,” he said. “They’ve worked hard despite all the challenges they faced, so we are celebrating their success.”
Kevin Schutz, a Communication major, is one of many graduates who say they’ve found a strong sense of community on campus. For Schutz, that connection was built through his involvement with ICE Radio, the student-run radio station club, and ICE Media, the multimedia website where content for that club and other student media clubs is published.
“My heart is in radio,” Schutz said. “I love it, and I’ve loved seeing ICE Media grow. I really feel like I didn’t find myself—not only as a student but also as a person—until I joined these clubs.”
This year’s featured Commencement speaker is Magdalena Gómez, an award-winning poet, playwright, and educator. Gómez is known for her advocacy for underrepresented communities and her work as a teaching artist and speaker. Vig said he hopes students will feel connected to the speaker’s story and identity.
Graduates are required to report in full regalia to the Student Services Center by 3 p.m. on Commencement Day. The student procession will begin promptly at 4:45 p.m., with faculty and staff assisting with lineup and instructions. Students will march to the Band Shell in alphabetical order by program.
Graduates will wear traditional blue caps and gowns, available for pickup at the Follett Bookstore beginning Thursday, May 1. Pre-measurement is not required.
While the outdoor ceremony allows for unlimited guests, each graduate will receive up to four printed invitations. In case of rain, the ceremony will be held in the SBM Charitable Foundation Auditorium, in the Arts, Sciences and Technology building. Only two guests per student will be permitted indoors. A final decision on location will be made by 9 a.m. on Wednesday, May 21, and posted on the CT State Manchester website, Vig said.
Graduates who need accommodations are encouraged to reach out to Joseph Navarra, head of the Office of Accessibility and Disability Services, at [email protected] at least two weeks in advance. For Commencement-related questions, students can contact [email protected].
