TIME TO CELEBRATE
SATURDAY, MAY 17, at 10am
Congratulations to the Class of 2025! This is a momentous occasion that marks the culmination of your hard work, dedication, and perseverance. You've overcome challenges, embraced opportunities, and emerged victorious.
As you step into the next phase of your journey, remember to carry with you the knowledge, skills, and experiences you've gained during your time as a student. Your future is bright, and we have no doubt that you will continue to achieve great things.
Celebrate this milestone to the fullest and cherish the memories you've created along the way. Your accomplishments inspire us all, and we couldn't be prouder of you.
Wishing you success, happiness, and endless possibilities in the exciting adventure that lies ahead. Congratulations, graduate!
RVCC Commencement
Saturday, May 17th, at 10am
Click here to watch virtually
Nurses Pinning Ceremony
Thursday, May 15th, at 4pm
Click here to watch virtually
Information for Students
Graduation Diploma Application
1) Review your Degree Audit (found in the Lion's Den) for accuracy. Should you have any questions regarding your degree audit (incorrect major, outstanding requirements, etc.), please contact your Academic Advisor or the Advising, Counseling and Transfer Services department at ACTS@raritanval.edu.
2) Complete the Graduation Application by clicking on the link below:
Without filling out the graduation diploma application, your degree will not be granted. All students must submit a graduation application regardless if you plan to attend the ceremony or not. You need to do this ASAP, the sooner the better. The deadline for spring graduates is April 7, 2025. The deadline for summer graduates is August 4, 2025. However, summer graduates interested in attending the May commencement ceremony must apply by April 12, 2025.
If you fail to apply by the graduation date listed, your degree may not be conferred until the next diploma date. I suggest not waiting until the deadline and completing the process as soon as possible.
Name Pronunciation: If you have concerns about the pronunciation of your name please email Dean Patrice Marks at Academic.affairs@raritanval.edu with subject line “Name Pronunciation” and include in the body of the email your name and a phonetic spelling. Example: Raul Gonzalez: rah-OOL gon-SAH-les The deadline to submit this request is Friday, May 9, 2025.
Prior to the Ceremony:
Disability Accommodations: If you or your guest require disability related accommodations or arrangements, please contact the Center for Accessibility and Inclusive Education by phone at 908-526-1200 x8534 or by email at caie@raritanval.edu.
Gown, Cap & Tassel: Available at Grad Fest on Monday, May 5. For more information, see Grad Fest below.
Honors: Honors regalia will be given out to graduates at Grad Fest. If you receive a medallion, stole or cord; these are yours to keep. Since spring grades are not yet final, honors have been based on GPA and grades at the end of the fall 2024 semester. Transcripts will reflect the appropriate honors once grades are final.
Tickets: Graduates will receive four tickets for guests who will have a seat in a general admission guest seating area. Tickets will be distributed at Grad Fest along with your cap and gown. Additional guests may attend by bringing lawn chairs to a designated area. The entrance gate will open at 9:00 am. No pets or helium balloons are allowed on the Soccer Field. Drones are not permitted on campus.
VIDEOS to watch prior to the Ceremony:
How to wear your cap and gown
Graduation Day Procedures
The Ceremony:
When: Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 10:00am
Where: RVCC Soccer Field. Click here to see campus map. Graduates should park in Lots 1, 2, 8, and 9 while guests are directed to park in Lot 5. Cars with passengers with physical disabilities will be allowed to drop off guests at the Arts building across the road from the Soccer Field before parking in Lot 5. The ceremony is a rain or shine event, so please plan accordingly.
Time: The ceremony will begin at 10:00 am. The ceremony will last approximately two hours. Graduates should arrive by 8:30 am and report to the Gymnasium in the Physical Education Building. Bring your cap, gown, tassel and hood.
Graduates will be marching from the Gymnasium to the Soccer field and several times across the field itself. Please wear appropriate shoes.
Photography: A commercial photographer will take pictures of each graduate receiving his/her diploma. The college receives no money from any purchase, and you are under no obligation to purchase the pictures.
Live Streaming: The ceremony will be streamed over the internet and can be accessed by clicking here.
Reception: Following the ceremony, you and your guests are invited to a reception at the Basketball Courts next to the Soccer Field.
Celebrate: See below for various social media ways to celebrate how proud you are of earning your degree! #RVCCGrad
After the Ceremony:
Video: After the Commencement is aired at 10am, you will be able to rewatch the event.
Diploma: Graduates will receive notifications from RVCC via their personal and school emails once their diploma has arrived on campus. Graduates will have the option to have their diploma mailed or picked up in person. Those instructions will be sent at a later time.
Transcripts: Graduates wishing to order their official transcript as proof of graduation should confirm that all grades and graduation information is posted by checking their unofficial academic transcript through Lion's Den prior to ordering their transcript.
Transcripts can be ordered through Parchment at Raritanval.edu/transcript. Please note: Official transcripts with degree notation and the graduation date for May 2025 graduates will not be available until May 23, 2025. Degree notation and the graduation date for August 2025 graduates will not be available until August 25, 2025.
Still have Questions?
Email your inquiries to graduation@raritanval.edu
Grad Fest - May 5, 12-4 pm
An event to build excitement for commencement as the semester is drawing to a close. It is designed to celebrate student achievement and increase momentum as a final push to finish strong. It is fast becoming a nationwide practice across community colleges and universities to aid students in completing their commencement requirements. Having everything in one place is a convenience.
In a centralized environment, students will have the opportunity to:
- check graduation status
- receive commencement tickets
- pick up regalia including honor awards
- rsvp for commencement
- meet with Transfer Advisors, Career Success, Alumni representatives, the Book Store, Finance and Financial Aid, to name a few.
The best part is that all of the important tasks and discussions will be taking place while graduates get a chance to reflect and celebrate their success with their fellow classmates while enjoying refreshments, door prizes, giveaways, and photos.
Monday, May 5, 2025, Event Center, 12-4 pm
Click here to RSVP
Questions should be addressed to graduation@raritanval.edu
Information for Guests
When: Saturday, May 17 at 10 am. The ceremony will last approximately two hours. Gates will open at 9 am.
Where: Raritan Valley Community College Soccer Field, 118 Lamington Road, Branchburg, NJ. Click here to see campus map. Guests will be directed to park in Lot 5. Cars with passengers with physical disabilities will be allowed to drop off guests at the Arts building across the road from the Soccer Field before parking in Lot 5. It is a rain or shine event so plan accordingly. No pets are allowed with the exception of service animals.
Tickets: Graduates will receive four tickets for guests who will have a seat in a general admission guest seating area. Additional guests may attend by bringing lawn chairs to a designated area. The entrance gate will open at 9:00 am. No pets or helium balloons are allowed on the Soccer Field. Drones are not permitted on campus.
Photography: Designated areas will be available for guests to take photographs. In addition, the College has commissioned a professional photographer, Island Photography, to take individual photos of graduates with their diplomas. Graduates are under no obligation to purchase the photographs.
Live Streaming: The ceremony will be streamed over the internet and can be accessed by clicking here.
Reception: Following the ceremony, graduates and their guests are invited to a reception at the Basketball Courts next to the Soccer Field.
Disability Accommodations: If you or your guest require disability related accommodations or arrangements, please contact the Center for Accessibility and Inclusive Education by phone at 908-526-1200 x8534 or by email at caie@raritanval.edu
Commencement Speaker
Dr. John Sichel, Faculty Commencement Speaker
John Sichel is completing his 16th year of fulltime teaching at RVCC. Before that he was an adjunct faculty member at the College for 10 years. He also served as co-chair of the Arts & Design department from 2017-2023. At RVCC he has taught generations of music students such subjects as music theory, musicianship, composition, and music history. He conducted the RVCC Chorale from 2009-2023.
Professor Sichel received his B.A. in music from Princeton University, his M.A. in composition from Columbia University, and his D.M.A. in composition from the Yale School of Music, where he studied with Jacob Druckman, Martin Bresnick, and Nicholas Maw.
Dr. Sichel’s music has been played at venues around the country, as well as in Europe, Asia, and South America. His recent works include the song cycle Paradoxides, on poems of Don McKay; a Piano Saxophone Quintet, recorded for Ravello Records; and a Sonata for Viola and Piano, which premiered at RVCC. His hobbies include birding, astronomy, and writing fiction, a small sample of which has been published under a pseudonym.
Commencement Program
Coming Soon
Honors listed in Commencement Program
Graduation-with-honors designations are based on the student’s grade point average (GPA) as follows.
- Summer 2024 and Fall 2024 Graduates – GPA at the end of the Graduation term.
- Spring 2025 and Summer 2025 Graduates – GPA at end of the Fall 2024 Semester
After all final degree audits are reviewed and degrees and certificates are formally posted to students’ RVCC student records the official academic honors will be awarded.
For questions about the names listed in the program email graduation@raritanval.edu
Summer 25 graduates will not receive honor awards until after their degrees are conferred in August.
Academic Awards
Coming Soon
Campus Map
