There will be a Pinning and Recognition Ceremony at 9:00 am for eligible participants enrolled in the School of Nursing and Health Professions. Participants who pick up a cap and gown can return that evening for Commencement. Further instructions will be sent to participants’ college email.

Announcements

Pinning Ceremony Announcement – May 11 – 9:00 am Ceremony

Pinning

As you walk across the stage, you will be recognized to receive your healthcare program pin.

Photograph Receiving Pin

When your pin is presented to you, the photographer will capture the image (smile). The photographer will send color proofs after pinning ceremony should you wish to purchase a photo.

Provided by The Grad Team

Live Streaming & Video

Guests who cannot attend the ceremony can view the livestream. A link will be provided on this page before the ceremony. Replays of the livestream are available shortly after the live broadcast is completed. A video recording of the pinning ceremony will be available several days following the event.

Dress

Arrive at the Coliseum 7:30 am correctly dressed in your program uniform. The Pinning Committee has established pinning guidelines for each participate to adhere to.

Parking

Pinning participants will park in Parking Lot 3 and enter through the Convention Center.

Accommodations for Participants with Disabilities or Special Needs

Participants who need accommodation due to physical disabilities should notify Student Support Coordinators at the appropriate campus by April 28.  In addition, students with mobility issues (trouble standing, or walking for more than 5 minutes) and/or students who require more than one chair, should contact the Program Director.

Procedure

• Participants and their guests should conduct themselves in a dignified manner, respecting the rights of others at the ceremony.
• Program Uniforms are required.
• Participants are encouraged to leave personal items in a vehicle.
• Cell phones should be silenced.
• Pay attention to the row monitors sitting to the left and right of the participant seating. They will direct you to stand and sit at the appropriate time. The podium speaker will also have instructions for you.

Timeline

7:30 am

• Arrive at the Coliseum.
• Metal detectors will be used at all entrances.
• Enter through the SOUTH ARCADE LOBBY ENTRANCE of the CONVENTION CENTER to Hall C. This is not an entrance for guests! Guest enter through the Coliseum North Lobby.
• Pick-up name card.
• Sit in your designated seat (alphabetically per program) backstage.

8:20 am – 8:30 am

• Be seated in line up area.

8:30 am – 8:50 am

• MAKE SURE YOU HAVE YOUR CARD WITH YOU
• Remain in your seat and be prepared to process.
• The participant on program for the invocation will remain on stage. The script will be on podium (After invocation, will be seated with class).
• March onto the stage floor in single file behind the Stage Marshall.
• Floor Marshalls will guide you to the appropriate row.
• Walk to the end of the row and remain standing until the invocation is over.

During Ceremony

• Remain seated during the speakers’ presentations.

Crossing the Stage

• WATCH THE ROW MONITORS.
• Each row of participants will stand.
• Walk together in a single file line to the stage ramp.
• Hand your name card to the college employee as you approach the stage.
• Walk onto the stage when your name is called.
• Receive your pin (the photographer will take a photo)
• Walk off the stage and take your photo with your pin.
• After taking your photo, a Stage Marshall will direct you to a platform in preparation for the candle lighting ceremony. Do not bring program specific lamps/candles. Candles are provided.

Benediction/Recessional

• The participant on program for the benediction will walk up the ramp to the podium (Script will be on podium)
• Participants will remain in place during the Benediction.
• Ceremony is concluded.
• Participants will recess back to Hall C and exit out the South Arcade Lobby.
• FAMILY/GUESTS ARE NOT ALLOWED BEHIND STAGE OR IN HALL C.

Participants Exit

• Participants will exit through the South Arcade Lobby Entrance – signage will indicate exit direction.

Thank you for choosing Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College!
Congratulations and Best Wishes!

Please read instructions CAREFULLY.
There will be no rehearsal for the Graduation Ceremony.

Arrive at 1:00 pm.

Cap & Gown Pick-up/Parking Passes

Cap and gowns and parking passes will be available for pick-up Monday, May 1 through Friday, May 5 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, at the campus you attend as indicated on your graduation application.

Students MUST come to campus during the day and time frame listed below in order to participate.

Pick-up Locations

Announcements

Printable graduation announcements are available for download in PDF format. Select your ceremony, type in your name and save or print.

Graduation Announcement – May 11 – 3:00 pm Ceremony

Photograph Receiving Diploma

When your diploma is presented to you, the photographer will capture the image (smile, and keep your tassel to the side). The photographer will send color proofs after graduation should you wish to purchase a photo.

Provided by The Grad Team

Live Streaming & Video

Guests who cannot attend the ceremony can view the livestream. A link will be provided on this page before the ceremony. Replays of the livestream are available shortly after the live broadcast is completed. A video recording of the graduation ceremony will be available several days following the event.

Dress

Arrive at the Convention Center Hall C two hours before the ceremony correctly dressed in cap and gown.

• Prepare for extensive walking and standing. Wear comfortable shoes.
• Prior to the ceremony, hang your gown so the wrinkles will release.
• You will NOT return your cap and gown after the ceremony. It is yours to keep.
• The tassel hangs left front, halfway between the corners.
• Honors (GPA 3.3 – 3.69) – Gold Tassel.
• Special Honors (GPA 3.7 – 4.0) – Gold Tassel and Gold Cord.
• Phi Theta Kappa and Alpha Beta Gamma – optional honor society stoles (see advisor).
• Alpha Delta Nu – optional honor society cords (see advisor).
• Military Honors Cords – Present your Military ID or DD214 to receive your cords on graduation day at the Coliseum.

Arrival

Graduates will arrive at 1:00 pm.

• Doors open at 1:00 pm.
• METAL DETECTORS WILL BE USED AT ALL ENTRANCES. Please do not bring weapons of any kind including small pocket knives. Purses and bags will be searched. Bring only what you need. Leave valuables at home or locked in your vehicle. 
• All candidates for graduation must enter the south arcade lobby entrance of the Convention Center.  This is not an entrance for guests! Guests enter through the North or South entrances of the Coliseum.
• Pick-up your reader card and honors regalia (if applicable) when you arrive. You will be directed to the pre-seating area.
• Honors cords and tassels are given based on the candidates’ cumulative grade point average (GPA) prior to the end of the term (posting of final grades and final GPA calculation). Please see the Special Assistance table if you believe you should have received honors regalia.

Parking

Graduates will park in Parking Lot 3, and enter through the Convention Center.

Accommodations for Graduate with Disabilities or Special Needs

Candidates who need accommodations due to physical disabilities should notify Student Support Coordinators at the appropriate campus by April 28.  In addition, students with mobility issues (trouble standing, or walking for more than 5 minutes) and/or students who require more than one chair, should contact the Student Support Coordinator on his/her campus.

Procedure

• Candidates and their guests should conduct themselves in a dignified manner, respecting the rights of others at the ceremony.
• Cell phones should be silenced.
• Pay attention to the row monitors sitting to the left and right of the graduate seating. They will direct you to stand and sit at the appropriate time. The podium speaker will also have instructions for you.

Timeline

1:00 pm

• Arrive at the Coliseum.
• Enter through the SOUTH ARCADE LOBBY ENTRANCE OF THE CONVENTION CENTER to Hall C.
• Pick-up name card.
• Sit in your designated seat backstage.

1:45 pm – 2:20 pm

• Be seated in line up area.

2:20 pm – 2:45 pm

• MAKE SURE YOU HAVE YOUR CARD WITH YOU
• Remain in your seat and be prepared to process.
• March onto the coliseum floor in rows of two behind the platform guests.
• Floor Marshalls will guide you to the appropriate row.
• Walk to the end of the row and remain standing until the invocation is over.

During Ceremony

• Remain seated during the speakers’ presentations.
• Stand at the President’s request to have degrees conferred.

Crossing the Stage

• WATCH THE ROW MONITORS.
• Each row of graduates will stand.
• Walk together in a single file line to the stage ramp.
• Hand your name card to the college employee as you approach the stage.
• Walk onto the stage when your name is called.
• Receive a diploma case (the photographer will take a photo)
• Walk off stage and take your photo with your diploma case.
• Return to your seat.
• Your diploma will not be in the case that you receive.
• DIPLOMAS WILL BE AVAILABLE AFTER THE CEREMONY HAS ENDED AND GRADUATES MARCH-OUT. Please do not return to Hall C before the ceremony has ended.

Recessional

• Benediction is played.
• Graduates follow Floor Marshalls.
• FAMILY/GUESTS ARE NOT ALLOWED BEHIND STAGE OR IN HALL C.

After Ceremony

• Proceed to Hall C to pick up your diploma.
• Keep your gown, cap, tassels, and gold cords.
• Please check the diploma to be sure it is correct. 
• Fall 2022 graduates, there is no need to wait in line for a diploma as you have received it already.

Graduates Exit

• Graduates will exit through the South Arcade Lobby Entrance – signage will indicate exit direction.

Thank you for choosing Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College!
Congratulations and Best Wishes!

Spring commencement will be held at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Coliseum and Convention Center on Thursday, May 11, 2023.

Arrival

• Coliseum doors will open at 1:00 pm
• Ceremony begins at 3:00 pm

School of Nursing and Health Professions Pinning and Recognition Ceremony

• Doors will open at 7:30 am
• Ceremony begins at 9:00 am

Traffic and Parking

Guests should allow time for travel and parking.

Special Accommodations for Disabled Guests

Handicapped seating is limited to Terrace Level behind section 6, 9, 20 and 22.  Guests accompanying handicapped guests may sit in the row in front of the handicapped guest.

An elevator is located in the North and South lobby (Please see an usher if you need assistance).

Hearing Impaired Guests

An interpreter will be on the stage throughout the ceremony.

Departure

Graduates will exit the South Arcade Lobby of the Convention Center following the ceremony.  Guests are not allowed backstage or in the convention center.

Please check the Intranet’s Graduation site frequently for instructions and any updates.