04/06/21
Gadsden State to host traditional commencement ceremonies
Gadsden, Ala. – Gadsden State Community College has announced that it will host two traditional commencement ceremonies at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. May 7 at Gadsden State Cherokee. Graduates from the fall and spring semesters will be recognized.
“We are so excited to be able to honor our graduates for achieving this outstanding milestone,” said Laura Swann, registrar. “Commencement is so important to our graduates and their families.”
Students who are graduating from a Health Science program or receiving an associate degree in general studies will participate in the 11 a.m. commencement ceremony. All other graduates in the Associate in Applied Science programs will be recognized at the 6 p.m. event. Both ceremonies will be live streamed on Facebook.
It is necessary to limit the guests to four per graduate. This is due to limited seating availability as well as a precaution against the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Guests will be social distanced. Masks will be worn by anyone entering the Gadsden State Cherokee Arena (with the exception of infants). Graduates will wear masks during the recognition portion of the ceremony but they may remove the mask for the posed photo opportunity. The traditional handshake with Gadsden State leaders will not take place due to the pandemic. Graduates and their guests are asked to not gather inside the Arena following the ceremony.
An email has been sent from the Registrar’s Office to those who are slated to graduate. A reply is requested by April 29 for those who wish to participate in the commencement ceremony. Caps and gowns can be purchased at the Gadsden State Bookstores located on the East Broad and Ayers campuses.
Gadsden State has not hosted a traditional commencement ceremony since December 2019. A drive-thru graduation was held in August 2020.
“As the numbers of COVID cases decrease and the numbers of vaccinations increase, we are slowly returning to our normal activities,” Swann said. “College graduation is a big deal and should be celebrated. We are so glad that we are able to do so again.”