Rowan College at Burlington County will hold its May 14 commencement indoors because of rain in the forecast, which means the college will break its record with five graduation ceremonies in one day.
“Rain can force us inside, but a little weather cannot dampen the spirit of Rowan College at Burlington County Barons,” said RCBC President Dr. Michael A. Cioce. “Every graduate deserves a celebration, and we’ll stay as long as it takes to cheer everyone across the stage for a well-deserved moment of recognition for their hard work and achievement.”
All of the ceremonies will take place in the Votta Hall Auditorium. The celebrations will begin at 9:30 am with the first of the Humanities, Business, and Social Sciences ceremonies, for graduates with the last names A-K. For the time of the following ceremonies, please check rcbc.edu/commencement.
Scheduled speakers for both original ceremonies will now be divided into different ceremonies. Freedom Mortgage CEO and Phillies minority owner Stanley C. Middleman will speak at the 9:30 ceremony. Strive Physical Therapy’s chief marketing officer, Jamie Martin, will speak at the 1:30 ceremony. Student speakers Emmanuel Lewechi, Emma Marett, and Nakul Mittal will speak at the 11:30, 3:30, and 5:30 ceremonies, respectively.
Since seating is limited in the auditorium, graduates may pick up three tickets at the Student Success Center an hour before the ceremony to distribute to guests. Afterwards, graduates will line up for their ceremony in room 146 of Votta Hall.
Any guests without a ticket may view the ceremony in the Student Success Center on the large screen or watch the livestream at rcbc.edu or youtube.com/RowanCollegeatBurlingtonCounty.
Last year’s commencement was delayed a day because of rain. This year, the college decided it would be fairer for graduates and their families to have a rain plan that kept the ceremony on the same date with a schedule that was published on the college’s website at the beginning of the academic year.
Rain forced ceremonies inside once again—in 2018. The college had five ceremonies that year. Four were held in one day, with one held the previous evening.
