Join us for Commencement
Wednesday, May 26, 2021
We are pleased to announce that we will have in-person, outdoor Commencement ceremonies. 2020 graduates, who were not able to have an in-person ceremony, are also invited to participate in this year's ceremony. We are so happy to be able to offer our graduates the opportunity to celebrate Commencement in-person this year, and mark this important milestone with them.
Ceremony times will be pre-assigned as described below, and sent to graduates by mail. Please continue reading below, for details about graduation, Commencement ceremonies, and regalia.
Graduates, we are carefully monitoring the weather for Wednesday's Commencement ceremonies. We have decided to proceed with Commencement as scheduled for both the morning and afternoon ceremonies on May 26, 2021. We can't wait to see you there!
To watch the event via livestream, tune in to our Facebook page at the ceremony start time for your graduate. Following the livestream, the video and a virtual program honoring those who were not able to attend in person, will be available on this webpage and our YouTube channel.
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FAQ’s
How will Commencement be celebrated this year?
With Maryland's move to Phase 3 of the statewide Covid-19 recovery plan, we have updated our 2021 Commencement plans (which were originally to hold a virtual ceremony). We are pleased to announce that we will now have in-person Commencement ceremonies. As the risk of Covid-19 continues, so does our commitment to the health of our region. It is out of this commitment that we have decided to hold our 2021 Commencement ceremonies outdoors and not in the Todd Performing Arts Center. As promised to our 2020 graduates who were not able to have an in-person ceremony, we will also be inviting them to participate in this year's ceremony. To help with overall attendance numbers and social distancing, graduates will be pre-assigned to two separate ceremonies (Wednesday, May 26th at 10:30 AM or Wednesday, May 26th at 3:00 PM). The Commencement Rain Date will be Thursday, May 27th at the same times. To ensure the safest possible environment, all attendees must wear masks and follow other guidelines and safety protocols to ensure proper social distancing.
As we have all become aware, Covid-19 is unpredictable. If Covid positivity rates in our region increase, we may have to reconsider the in-person ceremonies and move back to a virtual ceremony. It is our hope that this will not be the case, but we will be prepared for that alternative if needed to ensure that we are able to celebrate our graduates.
This is such an important achievement milestone, and we are so happy to be able to offer our graduates the opportunity to have an in-person Commencement celebration this year.
How do I apply to graduate?
An extended deadline date has been set for 4/15/21. Please submit your application immediately if you have not done so already. Due to the advance planning required for the outdoor, in-person ceremonies with Covid-19 safety protocols in place, applications will not be accepted after 4/15/21. Graduation Application
How do I ensure I will graduate this Spring?
If you were eligible at the time you submitted your Graduation Application, you will be included in the virtual Commencement video this year and are eligible to participate in the in-person ceremony (RSVP required by 4/15/21). Graduation and receiving a diploma is dependent upon successful completion of all graduation requirements and will be determined by the Registrar.
How can I participate in the in-person Chesapeake College Commencement?
To effectively plan for the in-person ceremony with safety protocols in place, we need to have a firm number of the attendees for each ceremony. Each graduate must complete the RSVP form by Thursday, 4/15/21 to indicate they will be attending and how many guests will be attending (maximum of 4 guests per graduate). If you are not planning to attend, we ask that you still complete the form and indicate "I will not be attending". This way we can ensure that we have a "Yes" or "No" response from ALL graduates.
Which ceremony do I attend?
To help with overall attendance numbers and social distancing, graduates have been pre-assigned to either the morning or afternoon Commencement ceremony based on their program:
Wednesday, May 26th at 10:30 AM
Accounting, Accounting Basic Certificate, Basic Transfer Studies Certificate, Business Administration, Business Management Certificate, Computer Information Systems, Computer Science Technology, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Development, Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Special Education, Elementary Education/Elementary Special Education, Secondary Education, Engineering Technology – Drafting & Design, Environmental Science, Human Services – Addictions Counseling Certificate, Legal Studies, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Technical/Professional Studies, Theatre and Performance Studies, Welding – Basic Certification
Wednesday, May 26th at 3:00 PM
Biological Sciences, EMS Certificate, EMS Degree, General College Studies, Health Fitness and Exercise, Registered Nurse, Physical Therapist Assistant, Radiologic Sciences and Surgical Technology
What if I have earned degrees in more than one program?
You will be assigned a commencement ceremony time. Please refer to the letter that will be sent via mail to each participant. Your assigned time will be listed there.
How many guest tickets will I receive?
Each graduate will receive 4 guest tickets. Each graduate can have a total of four guests attend the ceremony. Small children/infants do count as a guest and will require a ticket. --UPDATED 5/14/2021
When do I pick-up my Graduate and Guest Tickets for Commencement?
All graduates and guests will need to present a ticket to enter the campus for Commencement. Tickets will be printed for those graduates who have both submitted their Graduation Application and Completed the RSVP form by 4/15/21 confirming that they are attending the in-person ceremony assigned to their program.
Graduates will pick up their tickets from the Public Safety trailer located at the main entrance of the Wye Mills Campus (Route 213). Graduates will present photo identification for tickets.
Ticket Pick-up Dates/Times:
Wednesday, May 19th: 9:00 AM - Noon
Thursday, May 20th: 2:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Friday, May 21st: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
How do I order Commencement attire (cap, gown, tassel, PTK stole/cord) and mementos?
Please visit this link to order a cap, gown, tassel, keychain, PTK and Honors cords to celebrate Commencement. The ordering site will open on 3/30/21. Students should order by 4/28/21 to ensure receipt of regalia by Commencement day. Participation in the in-person ceremony requires purchase of Chesapeake College cap, gown and tassel. Other cap and gowns may not be worn.
If I am an Honors Program graduate, will I receive my honors medallion?
Yes, graduates participating in the in-person Commencement will receive your honors medallion prior to the Commencement ceremony when you arrive. For graduates who do not participate in the in-person ceremony, your honors medallion will be mailed to you.
If I am an Outstanding Graduate, will I receive my plaque?
Yes, for graduates participating in the in-person Commencement, you will receive your Outstanding Graduate plaque at the ceremony. For graduates who do not participate in the in-person ceremony, your plaque will be mailed to you.
If I am a member of PTK, who do I contact with questions?
Please contact your PTK Advisor, sfoster@chesapeake.edu.
What are the instructions for graduates and guests on the day of Commencement?
10:30 Ceremony:
Graduate Information:
- Graduates should arrive by 9:00 AM. Enter at the main campus entrance (Rt 213) and present your Graduate Ticket for campus entry. Recommended parking in lots E and G.
- Graduates will meet in the lobby of the Kent Humanities building. Because we will not have a rehearsal for the graduates this year, this time will be used to distribute stoles, cords, honors medallions and prepare graduates for the processional.
- When you are selecting your shoes to wear for Commencement, please remember that you will be walking across the grass getting to/from your seating under the tent.
Guest Information:
- Guests should plan to arrive to campus by 9:45 AM to allow time for entry, parking and walking to the Quad where the outdoor ceremony will be held. Enter at the main campus entrance (Rt. 213) and present your Guest Ticket(s) for campus entry. All guests, including children of all ages, MUST have a ticket to attend. Recommended parking in lots B and C.
- Guests will now have access to restrooms in the Caroline Center.
COVID-19:
- If you have experienced a fever or symptoms of COVID-19, a positive diagnostic test for the virus that causes COVID-19 in the prior 10 days or known exposure to a COVID-19 case in their prior 14 days, you should not attend the in-person ceremony.
- We encourage graduates and guests who are not fully vaccinated to wear a mask.
3:00 PM Ceremony:
Graduate Information:
- Graduates should arrive by 1:30 PM. Enter at the main campus entrance (Rt 213) and present your Graduate Ticket for campus entry. Recommended parking in lots E and G.
- Graduates will meet in the lobby of the Kent Humanities building. Because we will not have a rehearsal for the graduates this year, this time will be used to distribute stoles, cords, honors medallions and prepare graduates for the processional.
- When you are selecting your shoes to wear for Commencement, please remember that you will be walking across the grass getting to/from your seating under the tent.
Guest Information:
- Guests should plan to arrive to campus by 2:15 PM to allow time for entry, parking and walking to the Quad where the outdoor ceremony will be held. Enter at the main campus entrance (Rt. 213) and present your Guest Ticket(s) for campus entry. All guests, including children of all ages, MUST have a ticket to attend. Recommended parking in lots B and C.
- Guests will now have access to restrooms in the Caroline Center.
COVID-19:
- If you have experienced a fever or symptoms of COVID-19, a positive diagnostic test for the virus that causes COVID-19 in the prior 10 days or known exposure to a COVID-19 case in their prior 14 days, you should not attend the in-person ceremony.
- We encourage graduates and guests who are not fully vaccinated to wear a mask.
How do I access the Commencement Livestream?
To watch the event via livestream, tune in to our Facebook page at the ceremony start time for your graduate.
What happens if it is raining?
Graduate and guest seating will be under tents (no sides on the tents). If there is just a light rain, we will be able to proceed with the outdoor ceremonies. However, if high winds, heavy rain, or lightening are forecasted that would make an outdoor ceremony unsafe for attendees, we will move the ceremony to the rain date (Thursday, May 27, 2021). If there are also unsafe conditions on the Rain Date, we will shift to a Virtual Commencement Ceremony. Any change to plans due to weather will be announced on this page, Chesapeake College social media and via email to graduates.
If there is a Virtual Ceremony (in the case of rain cancellation or Covid-related change of plans), how do I access?
A virtual program honoring those who were not able to attend in person, will be available on this webpage and our YouTube channel
How will I receive my diploma?
Diplomas are mailed for all graduates (Spring, Summer, and Fall) in June. This spring’s graduates can tentatively expect diplomas to be mailed by the end of June.
Will I still be considered a full graduate of Chesapeake College if I do not participate in the in-person ceremony?
Yes. Graduation and receiving a diploma is dependent upon successful completion of all graduation requirements and will be determined by the Registrar.
Where do I go for Commencement updates?
Updates will be posted on this page.
Who do I contact with additional questions?
Registrar’s Office: registration@chesapeake.edu
In-person Commencement tickets are no longer available. The deadline for photo submissions for our virtual ceremony has also passed.