Why walk when you can drive?

Let’s face it, graduation ceremonies can drag longer than the robes that some graduates get stuck with because they ordered too late.  But you can make Oregon Coast Community College’s next commencement ceremony go a lot smoother by enjoying a live stream of the event from home with a bottle of wine, a tub of popcorn or pizza and a pint.

On Friday evening, June 11, students at the Central County Campus in Newport will be recognized and congratulated in person by President Birgitte Ryslinge, Board of Education Chair Nancy Osterlund, Vice President Dan Lara and other administrators and faculty.

Dubbed a “Car-Mencement,” the event is structured to take every precaution to protect the health and safety of students and the college community. A limited number of family and friends may accompany each graduate in a car. Traffic will be directed around the parking lot and each student will exit the vehicle alone to walk to the podium set up in front of the main doors of the campus. There, their name and degree will be read and they will be presented with a leather cover for their diploma. Each graduate will then step inside the campus building to have a professional portrait photograph taken by Bob Gibson and Jeri Knudson of The Photography Studio in Lincoln City before heading back to their cars to rejoin their party.

College-branded cowbells, gifted to each carload of visitors throughout the event, will help family and friends celebrate out loud the accomplishments of the college graduates in their lives.

Unfortunately, the event is open only to students and the family and friends who accompany them in their one vehicle, but the proceedings will be streamed live, via Zoom. A link will be available on the college’s website by Tuesday, June 9. A produced compilation video of the event, featuring special addresses including the commencement address by State Senator Dick Anderson, will be distributed in July to each graduate.

Now in its 35th year serving Lincoln County, Oregon Coast Community College offers a variety of degree and certificate programs, including University Transfer Degree programs and a teaching degree program.

Registration is open now for a Fall term that will feature a return to in-person instruction and enhanced options for students who choose to participate in an online environment. 

An on-campus open house, the College & Career Exploration Event, is scheduled for June 17. To learn more about the commencement event and discover the full range of degree and certificate programs available, go to oregoncoast.edu or call 541-867-8501.