The College recognizes that, due to COVID-19 and based on current recommendations from global public health organizations, and orders from the state government and State University of New York (SUNY), many of our students either cannot attend, or may feel uncomfortable attending, in-person. For this reason, the College is hosting a traditional (in-person) ceremony on December 17 and also a virtual (online) celebration for those that cannot attend in person. Commencement is an important tradition here at MVCC, and while this news may be disappointing for many, we want our graduates and their families to know that we are excited to recognize and celebrate their accomplishments. We are proud of all of our graduates, their families, and everyone who has contributed to their success, including our faculty and staff, who have continuously demonstrated a devotion to our vision to transform lives through learning. We are grateful for all they have done to help us move forward.

The virtual celebration link will be published on the College homepage and will also be shared on the College’s social media sites on Friday, January 7, at 4 p.m. With that said, please note that this is not a “live” event, so you and your family and friends will be able to watch and celebrate at your own pace and at the time you so choose.

The celebration will include all Fall 2021 candidates for graduation, who were eligible to graduate as of 12/1/21. You must follow the steps outlined at www.mvcc.edu/graduate and, should you want to personalize your virtual graduation slide, upload your photo and complete the form found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MVDEC21. We expect these photos to be fun and exciting, but be sure to use common sense and dress appropriately, as the College will be monitoring all photos.

The virtual celebration will include formal remarks by President VanWagoner and Board of Trustees Chair Tony Colon, some very special guests, and, most importantly, a presentation honoring each graduate. And since this is not a “live” event, you will be able to scroll through to find your slide or search for fellow classmates. While this will not be the same as our traditional ceremony, we are committed to finding the best way possible to recognize our graduates, and are striving to make it meaningful, memorable, and sharable.

Students have the option of contacting the College Store to order and have formal regalia mailed out to them, should they not be able to pick them up in-person. The regalia is to be kept by the student. If you would like to make arrangements to collect your regalia, please email your first name, last name, and height to sm8368@bncollege.com. 

Diplomas will be mailed within six to eight weeks after the celebration.

The College does its best to ensure that our videos are accessible for all and this is no different. All formal remarks will include captioning.