Special Assistance

Please inform the event staff of your needs and you will be directed accordingly. To obtain a permit for handicap accessible parking, please send a written request to:
Elena O’Connor, Director of Special Events
Keystone College
PO Box 50
La Plume, PA 18440

First Aid and Medical Assistance

Keystone College Health Services personnel will be on site and can provide non-emergency service. Emergency medical personnel will also be on site.

Keystone College Dining Services will operate a hospitality area on the Pavilion grounds beginning at 9:30 a.m. Guests are welcome to enjoy complimentary snacks and beverages.

Keystone College’s Commencement Exercises will be held outdoors at the Pavilion at Montage Mountain regardless of weather conditions.

In the event of extreme weather (thunderstorm), Commencement will be delayed and guests will be asked to return to their vehicles until the storm passes.

May weather in Northeastern Pennsylvania is quite unpredictable. We ask that graduates and their families monitor the weather forecast and prepare accordingly.

For the health and safety of our guests and the cleanliness of event grounds, animals of any type/size, with the exception of service animals with proper documentation, are not permitted.

Students often inquire about acceptable attire for Commencement exercises. Following please find a list of suggested attire:

Men should arrive in dress shirts, dark ties, dark dress pants, dark socks, and dark shoes.

Women should arrive in dresses, slacks or pantsuits and dark shoes with low heels. No flowers or decorations may be worn or carried. Also, bring bobby pins to secure your mortarboard (cap).

Women may wear their academic caps throughout the ceremony. Men should remove their caps for the invocation, National Anthem, and benediction.

Formal invitations (announcements) will be issued by Keystone College for families and friends of graduates at Grad Finale. If the graduating student does not attend Grad Finale, he/she is responsible to pick up the invitations at the College’s Campus Shoppe no later than April 28, 2017.

With seating for 7,000 available, tickets are not required for Commencement at the Pavilion at Montage Mountain. Gates open at 9:30 a.m.

All graduates should arrive at the Pavilion at Montage Mountain no later than 9:30 a.m. on Commencement day.

9:30 a.m. Graduate Check-In

Proceed down the hill and behind the stage to the tent located backstage and adjacent to the Pavilion where you will receive a numbered place card. Honors cords will be distributed to eligible graduates at this time and grads will be directed to a robing and line-up tent.

9:45 a.m. Line up

Graduates and faculty report to the large tent located backstage and adjacent to check-in. All individuals should take their place in line as directed by Assistant Marshals.

Students will line-up numerically and alphabetically by division:

School of Professional Studies

• Master of Education (alpha order)
• Master of Science in Accountancy (alpha order)
• Master of Science in Sport Leadership (alpha order)
• Management (alpha order)
• Bachelor of Science (alpha by program)
• Associate of Science Degree (alpha by program)
• Associate of Applied Science (alpha by program)
• Certificates (alpha by program)

School of Arts and Sciences

• Bachelor of Arts (alpha by program)
• Bachelor of Science (alpha by program)
• Associate of Arts (alpha by program)
• Associate of Science (alpha by program)
• Associate of Fine Arts (alpha by program)

10:45 a.m. Academic procession 

11:00 a.m. Commencement exercises begin

Conclusion (approx. 1 p.m.)

At the conclusion of the Commencement exercises, the stage party, followed by trustees, faculty, administrators, and staff, will recess at the direction of the marshals, forming a double line from the Pavilion toward the entrance gates.  On direction, graduates will march by twos between the double line of trustees, faculty, administrators, and staff, breaking formation at the end of the double line. Please wait for your graduate to emerge from the double line.

A  photographer from Grad Images will take a candid photograph of graduates as they receive their diploma and a posed photo. Candidates will receive a free passport sized digital proof of these photos within 5-7 days following Commencement. Since professional photography will be available, family members and guests are encouraged to remain in their seats, relax, and enjoy the ceremony.