Commencement

GRADUATION is the completion of all degree requirements as recorded on the official transcript.

• View details and apply to graduate.

COMMENCEMENT is the ceremony that celebrates the completion of a degree or certificate and has a separate process for signing up and obtaining tickets for guests.

• View details, sign-up to attend, and reserve guest tickets.

Graduation Application Deadlines

• Fall – November 15
• Spring – April 15
• Summer – July 15

Apply for the semester that you will finish all degree or certificate requirements.

View details and apply to graduate.

NOTE: GRADUATION is the completion of all degree requirements as recorded on the official transcript. COMMENCEMENT is the ceremony that celebrates the completion of a degree or certificate and has a separate process for signing up and obtaining tickets for guests.

Graduates must sign up to attend commencement for themselves and guests. 

After you apply to graduate and have received confirmation, a link to sign up to attend commencement will be emailed to you.

Guest Information: 

• Guest are NOT LIMITED. 

• Guest seats will be located under the commencement tent and WILL NOT BE ASSIGNED. No Tickets. 

Thursday, May 14, 2026
10 a.m. Commencement
Middletown Campus

Students receiving the following degrees should plan to attend this ceremony: 

• Dental Hygiene
• Emergency Medical Services
• Health Professions Specialization
• Medical Laboratory Technology
• Registered Nursing
• Registered Nursing Advanced Placement Option for LPNs
• Surgical Technology
• Therapeutic Recreation

Certificate Programs:

• Health Science
• Paramedic
• Practical Nursing

Career Studies Certificates:

• Advanced Emergency Medical Technician
• Emergency Medical Technician
• Healthcare Technology Specialist
• Hospital Facility Coding
• Patient Care Technician
• Phlebotomy
• Pre-Allied Health

Following the Health Professions Commencement there will be three pinning ceremonies.

Thursday, May 14
11:30 a.m. and Noon Pinning Ceremonies

Nursing Pinning (Noon)
Commencement Tent

Medical Laboratory Technology (11:30 a.m.)
Science and Health Professions Building
Room 138

Patient Care Technician Pinning (11:30 a.m.)
Science and Health Professions Building
Room 123

Surgical Technology (11:30 a.m.)
Corron Community Development Center
Conference Center

EMS Coin Ceremony (11:30 a.m.)
Science and Health Professions Building
Room 234

Friday, May 15, 2026
10 a.m.
Middletown Campus

Students receiving the following degrees should plan to attend this ceremony:

Associate of Applied Science 

• Accounting
• Cybersecurity
• Early Childhood Development
• General Engineering Technology – Civil Engineering Technology
• General Engineering Technology – Computer-Aided Drafting Technology
• General Engineering Technology – Mechanical Engineering Technology
• General Engineering Technology – Technical Operations
• Health Information Management
• Information Systems Technology
• Management
• Paralegal Studies
• Technical Studies

Associate of Arts and Sciences

• Business Administration
• Education
• General Studies – Administration of Justice Specialization
• General Studies – Communications Specialization
• General Studies – Human Services Specialization
• General Studies – Recreation and Outdoor Leadership Specialization with Therapeutic Recreation Focus
• General Studies – Recreation and Outdoor Leadership Specialization
• General Studies
• Liberal Arts – Fine Arts Specialization
• Liberal Arts

Associate of Science

• Engineering
• Science – Agriculture Science Specialization
• Science – Computational & Data Science Specialization
• Science – Computer Science Specialization
• Science – Cybersecurity Engineering Specialization
• Science – Forensic Science Specialization
• Science

Certificate Programs:

• Administration of Justice
• General Education
• Legal Administration
• Medical Administrative Assistant, Transcription, and Scribe
• Medical Billing and Coding

Career Studies Certificates:

• Advanced Early Childhood Development
• Applied Computer Science
• Basic Electronics Technician
• Cloud Computing
• Computer Science Generalist
• Cybersecurity and Networking Foundations
• Cybersecurity Specialist
• Drafting
• Early Childhood Development
• Entrepreneurship
• General Business
• Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
• Industrial Design
• Industrial Maintenance Technician – Basic
• Medical Office Assistant
• Nature and Outdoor Photography
• Networking Specialist
• Personal Training and Group Exercise Leadership
• Practical Electrical Technician
• Recreation and Outdoor Leadership
• Small Business Management
• Software Development
• Supervision
• Technology Essentials

Graduates should plan to arrive at 8:30 a.m. and enter the college through the Toxopeus Welcome Center. Once inside, you will be directed to check in.

• Middletown Campus Commencement Parking Map

Graduates must purchase caps and gowns from the college bookstore or online. It is recommended that all orders are placed at least three weeks before commencement.

• View Store Hours
• Purchase Online

Showcase your accomplishments or celebrate your graduate by displaying a Laurel Ridge Community College Yard Sign in your yard!

Purchase your 18×24 single-sided yard sign with a step stake online through the official Laurel Ridge Community College Bookstore:

• Order Laurel Ridge Congratulations Graduate Yard Signs

While you’re there, explore more great items to celebrate your Laurel Ridge pride!

Diploma’s will be mailed to each graduate 8 weeks from the date of Commencement.

Parking lots on campus during the ceremonies are open and free for guest parking.  Accessible and special-assistance parking is available.

• Middletown Campus Commencement Parking Map

A professional photographer will attempt to capture as many graduates walking off the stage as possible (though a photograph of every graduate cannot be guaranteed). Photos will be posted online and be available for download at no cost.

• Guests should enter the college through the Toxopeus Welcome Center at the front of Cornerstone Hall. View the Middletown Campus Map.
• Guests will be permitted to enter the commencement ceremony area at 8:30 a.m.
• Anyone not seated by the time the processional begins will need to wait until the graduates are on the field before being admitted.

• Arrive at 9 a.m. and proceed to rooms 601/602/603 in Cornerstone Hall
• Light refreshments will be offered.
• Faculty Regalia: If you need regalia for the ceremony, please place your order with the bookstore at least three weeks before commencement.

The Commencement Ceremonies will be held outdoors under a large tent that accommodates approximately 1,500 guests. While the tent provides substantial coverage, we recommend bringing an umbrella or rain gear in case of rain, as some attendees may be outside the tent.

Please note: Commencement will not be canceled or rescheduled due to rain. However, in the event of severe weather, we may need to adjust the ceremony start time or cancel.

Possible Weather Plans:

• Proceed with the ceremony as scheduled (10 a.m.)
• Delay the ceremony start time
• Hold the ceremony earlier in the day
• Cancel the ceremony due to extreme weather conditions
• Reschedule to the following day

How will you be notified?

• Any weather-related changes will be announced the day before Commencement via text alert.
• To receive updates via text, sign up for Laurel Ridge Alert!

• Health Professions Commencement Ceremony (Thursday, May 9, 2024 at 2 p.m.)
• Commencement Ceremony (Friday, May 10, 2024 at 2 p.m.)

Photo galleries from both Commencement and all Pinning Ceremonies can be found at the links below.

As a gift from the college to the graduates and their families, all photographs are provided FREE to download and use!

2025 Ceremony Galleries

• • Health Professions Commencement Ceremony – May 15, 2025 at 2 p.m.

• • Emergency Medical Services Coin Ceremony – May 15, 2025 at 4 p.m.

• • Medical Laboratory Technology Pinning Ceremony – May 15, 2025 at 4 p.m.

• • Nursing Pinning Ceremony – May 15, 2025 at 4 p.m.

• • Surgical Technology Pinning Ceremony – May 15, 2025 at 4 p.m.

• • Commencement Ceremony – May 16, 2025 at 2 p.m.

Thursday, May 9, 2024

• Commencement Ceremony: Health Professions
  • Ceremony Photographs
  • Class of 2024 Sign Photographs
  • Graduate Group Photographs
• Pinning Ceremony: Medical Laboratory Technology
• Pinning Ceremony: Nursing
• Pinning Ceremony: Surgical Technology

Friday, May 10, 2024

• Commencement Ceremony
  • Ceremony Photographs
  • Class of 2024 Sign Photographs
  • Graduate Transfer Pennant Photographs