11 a.m.: School of Health Sciences and School of Science, Technology and Education
4 p.m.: School of Business and Law, School of Liberal Arts and School of Continuing Education and Workforce Development
*Graduates/potential graduates may attend either ceremony based on the desired time or school.
In order to accommodate graduates and guests, you will select the ceremony based on the desired time or your school when you pick up/order your graduate packet. Ceremonies will take place at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Participation in your school ceremony is encouraged but not mandatory. Preferences are accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis. Each graduate may claim up to five guest tickets. Tickets are included in your graduate packet. These are different from invitations so be sure to inspect the materials closely and bring only the tickets with you to the ceremony.
General guest seating opens one hour prior to each ceremony. Tickets are required for each guest – even children – attending. Guests should plan to be seated before the ceremony start time. Graduate procession will begin at the ticketed time. The ceremony is expected to last two hours. Graduates are expected to remain for the entire ceremony.
To ensure the event is enjoyable for everyone, there is no standing in the aisles, strollers must be parked in the designated areas and disruptive behavior could result in being asked to leave the event.
In order to participate in commencement, each graduate/potential graduate must receive a graduate packet consisting of a cap, gown, tassel, invitations and ceremony tickets. You or your designee may purchase, with ID, your graduate packet at the AACC Bookstore in Arnold, Student Union Room 160, Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or online through the bookstore website. If ordering online, note the ceremony time and number of tickets (up to five) in the special instruction section at checkout.
The regalia packet costs $32.99. The bookstore will accommodate unique sizes; call 410-777- 2225 for special orders. Beginning May 11, a limited number of packets will be available for $52.99 on a first-come, first-served basis until May 17 at 11:59 p.m. for graduates who did not purchase their cap and gown by May 11.
Additional tickets can be requested via the QR code available at graduate packet pick-up or via a link sent to student email accounts in early May. Additional tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis and should be requested at the time of graduate packet pick-up.
To participate in commencement, all fees and other financial obligations to the college must be paid. If you have an outstanding obligation, you are not eligible to reserve your ceremony time or pick up the regalia packet or tickets during the distribution dates.
If you are an active duty member or a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, you may be eligible to receive a cord to wear with your cap and gown in recognition of your military service. Contact AACC’s Military/Veteran Resource Center (MVRC) at 410-777-4838 or email veterans@aacc.edu for information.
Note: Graduates on active military duty are invited to wear their service dress uniform to the ceremony.
Graduates who have been inducted into the Omicron Theta chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and/or the Epsilon Chi chapter of the Chi Alpha Epsilon Honor Society will have a notation on their diplomas. See PTK website for PTK regalia items that may be worn during the commencement ceremony.
For PTK information call 410-777-2218.
For XAE information call 410-777-1258.
Honors for summer and fall graduates reflects grade point averages at the time of summer or fall graduation. For spring degree candidates, the honors indicated in the program and announced during the ceremony reflect grade point averages as of April 1. Final graduation honors will be designated on diplomas and transcripts after the records office reviews final spring grades.
Show your #AACCgrad pride with a yard sign. Signs are $17.50 each, measure 18-by-24 inches and include a metal stake. Order your sign online through May 17.
If you have questions regarding commencement, call 410-777-2243.
Graduates must report to the The HALL at Live!® one hour before the start time of your reserved ceremony for instructions on lineup. Allow adequate time to arrive and park. Do not be late. There is no rehearsal for commencement, so it is important to arrive before the ceremony begins. Signage will direct you to the appropriate area.
Surface parking is available directly across from the hotel entrance or to the side and in front of Burlington Coat Factory. Walk through the hotel lobby, passing LUCKIES on the right. Turn left.*
As you plan the attire to be worn under your gown, consider your comfort in walking/standing for a procession. You may not carry purses, cameras, phones, etc., while marching in the procession. Leave valuable items at home or with a family member. The college is not responsible for lost items. Masks are not mandatory for graduates or guests and can be worn at an individual’s discretion.
During the ceremony, a professional photographer will take pictures. Proofs to review and purchase prints are available for the 11 a.m. ceremony or the 4 p.m. ceremony. Due to safety regulations, aisles need to remain clear. Family and guests will not be permitted to stand in the aisles to take pictures.
Immediately following the ceremony, graduates are encouraged to meet their guests outside in the celebration zone. Over in the celebration zone you’ll be able to take pictures with your family and friends and interact with AACC 's mascot, Swoop.
Guests with limited mobility should arrive early to allow adequate time to be seated. Graduates and guests requiring other accommodations are highly encouraged to contact Disability Support Services (DSS) by calling 410-777-1411, emailing dss@aacc.edu, or by visiting the DSS office in Student Union Building Room 140 by May 4 to ensure accommodations are coordinated for the event.
Commencement is an academic ceremony that is dignified and joyful. We will call graduates to the stage to be individually congratulated. For many graduates and guests, the name announcement is the highlight of the ceremony. For others, enjoying the singers and speakers is important. We ask everyone to express excitement in positive ways that respect others’ enjoyment. Balloons and noisemakers are prohibited. Electronic devices should be silenced and graduates must remain until the ceremony ends.
*NOTE: Guests of all ages are welcome to The HALL at Live!®. However, only guests over 21 are permitted to enter the casino. For the convenience of guests under 21 years, we encourage using the surface parking. Younger guests attempting to access commencement ceremonies through the casino floor will be redirected.
The commencement ceremony will be shown live on our YouTube page.
The ceremonies will be recorded and available on the college’s YouTube channel for rebroadcast.
Notation of spring graduation on transcripts will occur in mid-June. Diplomas will be mailed before July 1 to all spring graduates. Use a copy of your graduation status letter for transfer institution and job purposes since spring graduation will not be finalized or certified before June 15.
You can order your portraits that were taken during the commencement ceremony online. All graduates should've also received an email with a link to StageClip to access their personalized graduation clip.
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