LCCC plans online graduation for 2021

Students can sign up to receive diploma in person

Lorain County Community College announced April 5 in a news release that its 57th annual commencement will include a virtual commencement ceremony.

Interested graduates can sign-up for the opportunity to cross the Stocker Arts Center stage to receive their diploma and professional photo, the release said.

“Our graduates have worked so hard and persevered during the most difficult of times,” said LCCC President Marcia Ballinger. “While we are not able to bring together all our graduates and their families physically at the same time just yet, we wanted to create a special and safe experience to celebrate their extraordinary accomplishments.”

The college has planned three celebratory elements to commemorate the graduating class of 2021:

• Official commencement ceremony. The official 57th annual Commencement Ceremony will take place at 9:30 a.m., May 15, featuring the conferring of degrees.

The ceremony will be streamed.

Graduates are encouraged to register at www.lorainccc.edu/graduation for details on how to submit their own photo or video to be included in the virtual event.

• Stocker Arts Center stage crossing. Graduates can pre-register for an inperson opportunity to cross the Stocker Arts Center stage on commencement weekend and receive their diploma from Ballinger, along with a professional photo. Those signing up for this feature may bring up to two guests to sit in the audience.

Graduates may express their interest in this option by registering online and will receive an assigned day and time closer to the weekend of May 15.

• Public recognition dedicated to the class of 2021. During the week of May 15, a large-scale public recognition display dedicated to the class of 2021 will be installed outside near the Campana Center for Ideation and Invention. The display will feature an augmented reality component, illumination and numerous photo opportunities creating a fully immersive experience.

“We are so proud of all the graduates of the class of 2021,” Ballinger said. “Earning a college degree is always a grand accomplishment.

“But, to do so in such a challenging environment takes an extraordinary amount of effort, resiliency and perseverance. We are thrilled to celebrate all these great graduates and their families.”