Special Assistance Please inform the event staff of your needs and you will be directed accordingly. Handicap passes can be obtained by contacting Elena O’Connor at elena.oconnor@keystone.edu or 570-945-8160. Vehicles already displaying a state-issued handicap placard do not need a pass from the College. 

 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. Weather during May 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. 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. Student 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 and veterans cords will be distributed to eligible undergraduates at this time and grads will be directed to a robing and line-up tent.

9:45 a.m. Line up

Students 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 degree within school:

School of Professional Studies

• Master of Education 
• Master of Science in Accountancy 
• Master of Science in Sport Leadership 
• Management 
• Bachelor of Science
• Associate of Science Degree 
• Associate of Applied Science 
• Certificates 

School of Arts and Sciences

• Bachelor of Arts 
• Bachelor of Science 
• Associate of Arts 
• Associate of Science 
• Associate of Fine Arts 

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 Assistant Marshals, forming a double line from in front of the stage, through 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.