Drive-thru commencement ceremony set for May 12; virtual graduation on May 14
AVONDALE, ARIZONA, April 27 – Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC) graduates may not be able to physically cross the commencement stage this year due to COVID-19, but they can still drive through the college’s “Car-mence-ment Ceremony.”
Two ceremonies are planned for May 12 to accommodate the number of graduates. The first will be from 7 to 10 a.m. and the second from 6 to 8 p.m. Faculty and staff will line the route, celebrating the graduates as they drive through and pick up their diploma covers and mortarboard decorations, get their pictures taken, and leave with some EMCC swag.
Time/Date: Wednesday, May 12; 7 to 10 a.m. & 6 to 8 p.m.
Location: EMCC, 3000 N. Dysart Road, Avondale
“Graduation is such an important milestone in our student’s lives,” said Dr. Rey Rivera, EMCC President. “Once we knew we wouldn’t be able to have a live commencement ceremony this year, we started brainstorming ways we could celebrate our students in addition to a virtual graduation like we did last year. This will ensure the safety of our students and employees while giving our graduates the recognition they deserve. They’ve worked especially hard during this pandemic and we want them to know how proud we are of them.”
A virtual graduation ceremony is planned for 6 p.m. May 14. The ceremony will include remarks from EMCC leadership, faculty, and students, as well as a slideshow of graduate- and employee-submitted socially distanced photos.
Time/Date: Friday, May 14; 6 p.m.
Location: Virtual
EMCC chose “Still We Rise” for this year’s graduation theme. Slightly borrowed from Maya Angelou’s renowned poem, “Still I Rise,” the theme was selected to celebrate the persistence and strength our students have shown in the face of adversity.