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Commencement Day

Saturday, May 20 at 11 a.m.

Final exams will conclude on Friday, May 12, 2023 and the Keystone College Commencement Ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 20 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Athletic Field and Track Complex (rain date: Sunday, May 21 at 11 a.m.)

 

Aerial photo of Athletic Complex

GRADUATION DETAILS

Tickets/Seating

Tickets are required for admission to the Athletic Field and Track Complex bleachers. Each graduate will receive four tickets during Grad Finale on Thursday, April 6, 2023 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. in the Theatre in Brooks. If the graduating student does not attend Grad Finale, he/she is responsible for picking up the regalia and tickets at the Campus Green Eatery & Market during regular business hours beginning April 11, 2023.

Graduates may request extra guest tickets through Student Central, main floor of Ward Hall, during regular business hours beginning April 11, 2023. Student Central will notify the student if additional guest tickets are available after May 1, 2023.

 

Special Assistance

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
Emergency medical personnel will be on site to provide assistance as needed.

Refreshments

Keystone College Dining Services will operate a hospitality area beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Weather

Keystone College’s Commencement Exercises will be held outdoors at the Athletic Field and Track Complex regardless of weather conditions. In the event of extreme weather, Commencement will be postponed until Sunday, May 21 at 11 a.m. at the Athletic Field and Track Complex. Weather during May in Northeastern Pennsylvania is quite unpredictable. We ask that graduates and their families monitor the weather forecast and prepare accordingly.

Animals

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.

Parking

Campus personnel will be on hand directing traffic.

INFORMATION FOR GRADUATES

Decorum

While recognizing that Commencement is a celebration for our graduates, it is important for students to remember that it is also a formal academic ceremony to be conducted with dignity and decorum. Unruly or disruptive behavior that may disrupt the ceremony is prohibited and graduates are asked to celebrate their accomplishments in a way that does not disrupt the ceremony. Courtesy also requires that graduates remain in their seats during the ceremony until instructed to move to the stage area. Cell phones/smart phones should be turned off during the ceremony. Graduates should refrain from using hoverboards and skateboards.

Attire

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 shoes with no 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.

Only flat-soled footwear is permitted on the turf field.

Graduation Cap

Decorations on graduation caps (mortar boards) are a symbol of pride and accomplishment. The decorations represent personalized statements about accomplishments that can be presented in the form of a quote, image, symbol, flag, or other items. To ensure that Commencement remains a dignified celebration of achievement, the decorations must be consistent with the Keystone College student code of conduct. Failure to adhere to this standard could result in the student’s loss of their graduation cap.

Graduate Schedule

All graduates should arrive at the Athletic Field and Track Complex no later than 9:30 a.m. on Commencement day.

9:30 a.m. Student Check-In

Students should report to the Fieldhouse Lobby for check-in where they 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 area.

10 a.m. Line up

Students and faculty report to the Fieldhouse Lobby 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.

  • Master of Accountancy
  • Master of Business Administration (all concentrations)
  • Master of Education
  • Master of Science in Criminal Justice
  • Master of Science in Sport Leadership Management
  • Bachelor of Arts
  • Bachelor of Science
  • Associate in Arts
  • Associate in Science
  • Associate in Applied Science

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 Athletic Track and Field Complex entrance. 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.

Photography

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.

Keystone College graduate, the Honorable William R. Evanina ’87 former director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center in Washington, D.C., will address members of the Keystone College Class of 2023 during the college’s 152nd commencement ceremony. Read the announcement.

MAPS AND DIRECTIONS TO COMMENCEMENT

Directions to Keystone College

From the North
Interstate 81 South to Exit 202, Tompkinsville; West 8 miles on Route 107; Left on Routes 6 & 11 to Keystone.

From the South
Via Interstate 81: North to Exit 194, Clarks Summit; North 8 miles on Routes 6 & 11 to Keystone.

Via Pennsylvania Turnpike: Northeast Extension – Interstate 476: North to Exit 131, Clarks Summit; North 8 miles on Routes 6 & 11 to Keystone.

From the East and NYC area
Interstate 80 West to Interstate 380 North to Interstate 81 North to Exit 194, Clarks Summit; North 8 miles on Routes 6 & 11 to Keystone.

From the West
Interstate 80 East to Interstate 81 North; 81 North to Exit 194, Clarks Summit; North 8 miles on Routes 6 & 11 to Keystone.

Directions to Athletic Field and Track Complex

Enter the College’s main entrance and follow the traffic circle to the left onto College Avenue. Follow College Avenue for approximately a 1/4 mile, passing Christy Mathewson Field (baseball field). Immediately after the baseball field, take a right and proceed across the bridge up the hill. The Athletic Field and Track Complex is on the left at the top of the hill and parking is available.

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