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Commencement Day

Saturday, May 18 at 11 a.m.

The Keystone College 153rd Commencement Ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 18 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. in Gambal Athletic Center.

 

A frontside view of Gambal Athletic Center at Keystone College

GRADUATION DETAILS

Tickets/Seating

Tickets are required for admission to Gambal Athletic Center. Each graduate will receive four tickets during Grad Finale on Thursday, April 11, 2024 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. in Evans Hall. If the graduating student does not attend Grad Finale, he/she is responsible for picking up the regalia and tickets in Student Central during regular business hours beginning April 15, 2024.

Graduates may request a maximum of two extra guest tickets through Student Central, main floor of Ward Hall, during regular business hours beginning April 15, 2024. Student Central will notify the student if additional guest tickets are available after May 1, 2024.

No balloons are permitted inside the Gambal Athletic Center.

While seating in the Gambal Athletic Center is limited, the ceremony will be live-streamed on campus in overflow locations in the Hibbard Campus Center. Guests without tickets may view the ceremony at those locations. The live-streamed locations provide easily accessible handicapped access, refreshments, and restroom facilities.

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. in the Gambal Athletic Complex. Refreshments will also be served in Hibbard Campus Center live-stream locations.

Weather

While Keystone College’s Commencement Exercises will be held indoors at the Gambal Athletic Center, 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. Shuttles will be available to take guests to and from parking areas.

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: Dress shirts, dark ties, dark dress pants, dark socks, and dark shoes.
  • Women: Dresses, slacks, or pantsuits and flat-soled shoes. No flowers or decorations may be worn or carried. Also, bring bobby pins to secure your mortarboard (cap).
  • All Students: Put your mortarboard (cap) on straight – parallel to the ground, not tilted over either ear or on the back of the head.
Women may wear their academic caps throughout the ceremony. Men should remove their caps for the invocation, national anthem, and benediction. It is recommended that the gown is steamed or pressed prior to Commencement.
 
May weather in Northeastern Pennsylvania is unpredictable and graduates should monitor the weather forecast and dress accordingly. 

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.

The tassel is worn on the right side of the cap.

 

Graduate Schedule

All graduates should arrive at the Theatre in Brooks no later than 9:30 a.m. on Commencement day.

9:30 a.m. Student Check-In

Students should report to the Theatre in Brooks 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 Theatre in Brooks 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 Commencement exercises, the stage party, followed by the trustees, faculty, administrators, and staff, will recess under the direction of Assistant Marshals, forming a double line from the Gambal Athletic Center lobby out to the side parking area. On direction, graduates proceed through the double line of trustees, faculty, administrators, and staff, breaking formation at the end of 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.

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.

Campus personnel will be on hand directing traffic. Shuttles will be available to take guests to and from parking areas.