On Friday, May 12, at 4:30 p.m., Commencement exercises for MVCC's Class of 2023 will be held at the Adirondack Bank Center at Utica Memorial Auditorium, 400 Oriskany Street West, Utica, N.Y., for all degree and certificate candidates (May and August). The Commencement speaker is Maria I. Kontaridis, Ph.D., Executive Director, Gordon K. Moe Professor and Chair of Biomedical Research and Translational Medicine, and the Director of Research at the Masonic Medical Research Institute in Utica, N.Y.

Have you applied for graduation?

If you wish to be considered for graduation, you can request a graduation review as early as the semester before you expect to graduate.

Use the Graduation Review Request Form link in Degree Works (found on MyMV), or bring this completed form to the Office of Records and Registration in Utica or Student Services Rome.

Once you have applied, it is time to reserve your spot at Commencement.

If you have not yet reserved your spot a Commencement, please do so today; visit www.mvcc.edu/graduate and follow the 3-Step Process. On this website, you will also find additional information about MVCC’s Commencement exercises (when/where to pick up your cap and gown, etc.).

What to expect on the day of Commencement.

All graduates should be at the Adirondack Bank Center by 3 p.m. In the upper level (entrance level) of the Center, you will be directed to the Commencement Registration & Information Tables where you will pick up your Graduation Name Card. After picking up a Graduation Name Card, you will then be directed to the lower concourse/level where you will look for wall posters indicating your academic major. A member of MVCC’s faculty or staff (a “Marshal”) will line up graduates in alphabetical order by Department, Program, and Last Name (make sure not to lose your Graduation Name Card). And don’t worry about anything — Commencement Marshals will be on site if you need any assistance. This is a time to relax and celebrate! ALL CANDIDATES MUST BE IN CAP & GOWN, IN PROPER ORDER BY 3:45 p.m.

What about guests and families?

Guests and families of graduates should go to their seats on the upper level (seating is general admission and no tickets are required for this ceremony, but we do ask that graduates do their best to limit the number of guests to no more than five people). For those outside the area, you may want to visit http://www.oneidacountycvb.com for information on hotels, attractions, and events in our area.

Going out to dinner after the ceremony? Some restaurants are offering 15% off your total bill!

Many graduates and their families head out to dinner in the greater Utica area following the Commencement ceremony. MVCC is pleased to partner with a number of local restaurants to provide congratulatory meal discounts for MVCC graduates and their families (15% off your total bill). All you have to do is bring your diploma cover with you (the one you were handed as you crossed the stage) and show it to your server. Since May 12 is a Friday night, it is highly recommended that you make reservations in advance. 

The following restaurants are currently participating in the MVCC Commencement Congratulations Discount Program:

• Aqua Vino, 8655 Clinton St., New Hartford, NY
• Babes at Harbor Point, 80 N. Genesee St., Utica, NY
• DiCastro's Brick Oven, 615 Erie Blvd W, Rome, NY
• 72 Tavern & Grill, 400 Oriskany St., W., Utica, NY
• Kookie’s Q & Creamery, 51 N. Genesee St., Utica, NY
• Teddy's Restaurant, 851 Black River Blvd N, Rome, NY
• Vescio's Franklin Hotel, 301 S. James Street, Rome, NY

Please Note: We will follow all state, local, and Adirondack Bank Center policies in place at the time of Commencement.