There will be a Pinning and Recognition Ceremony at 9:00 am for eligible completers enrolled in the School of Nursing and Health Professions. Eligible graduates can return that afternoon for Commencement. Further instructions will be sent to completers college email.

Please read instructions CAREFULLY.
There will be one (1) rehearsal for the School of Nursing and Health Professions completers.

Rehearsal: Tuesday, May 12
Arrive promptly at 3:00 pm for the rehearsal at the
MS Gulf Coast Coliseum & Convention Center
(Please do not bring or invite children or guests to the rehearsal)

Pinning: Wednesday, May 13
Arrive at 7:30 am for the pinning ceremony.

Official Name in Program and Diploma

Your name will appear in the program and on your diploma (if applicable) the way it is presented in our system.  Please ensure that your program and name are correct by April 10. Diplomas (if applicable) will be mailed out by the end of May unless you participate in Commencement then they will be available after the ceremony has ended and graduates march-out.

Announcements

Pinning Announcement for sharing or printing.

Pinning

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

Photograph Receiving Pin

A photographer will capture each completer receiving their pin. Photos will be available for download a few weeks after the ceremony at mgccc.edu/graduation.

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

Parking

Pinning completers will park in Parking Lot 4 and enter through the Convention Center. (See Map.)

Accommodations for Completers with Disabilities or Special Needs

Completers who need accommodation due to physical disabilities should notify Student Support Coordinators at the appropriate campus by April 24.  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

• Completers and their guests should conduct themselves in a dignified manner, respecting the rights of others at the ceremony.
• Program Uniforms are required.
• Completers 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 completer 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 or children!
• 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 completer 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 completers 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
• 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 completer on program for the benediction will come down off ramp to the podium (Script will be on podium)
• Completers will remain in place during the Benediction.
• Benediction is played.
• Ceremony is concluded.
• Completers will follow Stage Marshall to Hall C.
• FAMILY/GUESTS ARE NOT ALLOWED BEHIND STAGE OR IN HALL C.

After Ceremony

• Proceed to Hall C.
• Pick up your award certificate (if applicable).

Completers Exit

• Completers 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 1:30 pm.

Official Name in Program & Diploma

Your name will appear as listed in our system. Verify accuracy by April 10.

Cap & Gown Pick-up/Parking Passes

Graduates must pick up their cap, gown, and parking passes during designated times at their respective campus as indicated on your graduation application and location of services in Degree Works.

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

Pick-up Dates & Times:

• BRYANT CENTER GRADUATES ONLY – Friday, May 1 – 9:00 am-2:00 pm
• Monday, May 4 – 2:00 pm-5:00 pm
• Tuesday, May 5 – 11:00 am-2:00 pm
• Wednesday, May 6 – 9:00 am-12:00 pm

Pick-up Locations & Contacts:

Announcements

Printable graduation announcements are available for download in PDF format. 

Photography

A photographer will capture each graduate receiving their diploma. Photos will be available for download a few weeks after the ceremony on this page.

Live Streaming & Video Recording

Guests unable to attend can watch a livestream via a link on this page before the ceremony. A recording will be available after the event.

Graduation Dress Code

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

• Tassel placement: Left front, halfway between corners.
• Honors Distinctions (honors cords and tassels will be distributed at the Coliseum upon check-in):
  • GPA 3.3 – 3.7: Gold Tassel
  • GPA 3.7 – 4.0: Gold Tassel & Gold Cord
  • Honor Societies: Optional stoles/cords (Check with your advisor or order Phi Theta Kappa stoles from https://store.ptk.org/product-category/grad/)
  • Military Honors: Present Military ID or DD214 at cap & gown pick-up.
• Wear comfortable shoes – you will walk and stand extensively.
• Gown wrinkles? Hang it up in advance.
• Your cap and gown are yours to keep.

Parking Information

• Graduates must enter Lot 9 via Beauvoir Road north of train tracks shown on the map.
• Display your Graduate Parking Pass on your driver’s side window dashboard.
• Shuttle service will be available to drop you off near your entrance at the East Lobby of the Convention Center. This is not an entrance for guests. Guests will enter through the North or South entrances of the Coliseum.
• NOTE: You will be given two (2) parking passes for guests.  Guests MUST have their parking pass displayed in their driver’s side window dashboard in order to enter the Coliseum.
• NOTE: Overflow parking will be available at Beauvoir for $10 per car (CASH ONLY), located on Beauvoir Road across from Gate 2. Please note that this parking area is not affiliated with MGCCC and does not require a college-issued parking pass for entry.
• NOTE: If you choose to ride with a guest and park in public parking, you must enter through the West Lobby of the Convention Center.

Special Accommodations

Graduates needing accommodations must contact their Student Support Coordinator by April 24.

Ceremony Procedures

• Conduct: Remain respectful and dignified.
• Cell Phones: Silence all devices.
• Row Monitors: Follow their directions during the ceremony.
• Podium Speaker: Follow any instructions given.

Ceremony Timeline

1:30 pm

• Arrive & enter through East or West Lobby Entrances
• Pick up your name card & honors regalia (if applicable).
• Find your assigned seat backstage (Hall C).

1:45 pm – 2:20 pm

• Be seated in line up area.

2:20 pm – 2:45 pm

• Final preparation
• Keep your name card with you.
• Prepare to march in rows of two.
• Floor Marshalls will direct you.
• Walk to the end of the row and remain standing until the invocation is over.

During Ceremony

• Remain seated during speeches.
• Stand when the President confers degrees.

Crossing the Stage

• Follow row monitors.
• Hand your name card to the college employee as your approach the stage.
• Walk when called – only first and last name will be announced.
• Smile for the photo while receiving your diploma case.
• Exit the stage and return to your seat.
• Diplomas will be available after the ceremony. If you exit the ceremony early, your diploma will be mailed to you.

Recessional & Post-Ceremony

• Follow Floor Marshalls for the exit process.
• No guests allowed backstage or in Hall C.
• Pick up your diploma in Hall C after the ceremony.
• Check diploma for accuracy.
• Summer/Fall 2025 graduates do not need to pick up a diploma (already received).

Graduates Exit

• Exit through East or West Lobby Entrances – signage will direct you.

Thank you for choosing Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College!
Congratulations, Graduates!

Arrival

It is the Coliseum’s Policy that seats cannot be saved. To ensure you can sit together, please try to arrive early and at the same time.

Spring Commencement

• Coliseum North and South Lobby doors will open at 1:30 pm
• Pre-Ceremony begins at 2:30 pm
• Ceremony begins at 3:00 pm

School of Nursing and Health Professions Pinning and Recognition Ceremony

• Coliseum North Lobby doors will open at 7:30 am
• Pre-Ceremony begins at 8:30 am
• Ceremony begins at 9:00 am

Adult Education Ceremony

• Coliseum North Lobby doors will open at 5:00 pm
• Ceremony begins at 6:30 pm

Traffic and Parking Information

Guests should allow time for travel and parking. Traffic becomes extremely heavy before the ceremony and parking becomes difficult.

See map for guest parking areas.

Spring Commencement

• Due to the high number of graduates and limited parking at the Coliseum, each graduate will receive one (1) graduate parking pass and two (2) guest parking passes. To ensure smooth entry, guests must display their guest parking pass on the driver’s side window or dashboard upon arrival at the Coliseum.
• Overflow parking will be available at Beauvoir for $10 per car (CASH ONLY), located on Beauvoir Road across from Gate 2. Please note that this parking area is not affiliated with MGCCC and does not require a college-issued parking pass for entry.

Special Accommodations for Disabled Guests

Handicapped seating is limited to Terrace Level behind section 6, 9, 20 and 22.  One guest accompanying the handicapped guest may sit in the row in front of the handicapped guest. Please arrive early to ensure you have a seat.

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

If you are not able to walk far, please bring a wheelchair.

Hearing Impaired Guests

An interpreter will be on the stage throughout the ceremony.

Departure

Completers will exit the South Arcade Lobby and Graduates will exit the West 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.