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Isothermal Community College has modified its graduation ceremonies to comply with state mandates in regard to the Covid-19 pandemic, officials said Wednesday.

The new plan for the Monday, June 15, commencement exercise will not include a traditional face-to-face ceremony, but will feature a broadcasted on the college’s radio station, WNCW 88.7 FM, along with a fireworks and luminaria display and several drive-through opportunities with individual departments.

“We congratulate you on your accomplishments and we are proud of you,” said Sandra Lackner, Dean of Students, in a letter to more than 500 graduates of the Class of 2020. “With the COVID pandemic, you have overcome more challenges than most. However, this will make you stronger as you go forward to ‘light the world.’”

“In honor of you and to signify that light, there will be luminaries around the lake on the night of graduation to honor you. There will be no specific names on the luminaries because we want to honor social distancing and keep everyone safe. Because of safety issues and state guidelines, our ceremonies will be unusual, but special. The ceremonies will be broadcast on our own WNCW at 88.7 on the FM dial or at www.wncw.org, between 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. on Monday, June 15. This means your names will be heard in four states.”

Graduates and their families are invited to park on campus and listen to the broadcast. Following the ceremonies, there will be fireworks over the lake in honor of the grads. Officials ask everyone to view the fireworks and luminaries from their cars, parked in marked parking places across campus.

Curriculum and College and Career Readiness (Adult High School Diploma/High School Equivalency) will be celebrated in a joint ceremony via WNCW and YouTube. This will be an event filled with pomp and circumstance, celebration, fireworks at Isothermal Community College, and luminaries around the lake. Even more, this will be broadcasted live across four states and streamed digitally around the globe.

College deans will announce all of the graduates’ names and the highest credentials earned via WNCW (audio) and YouTube (video stream). If loved ones are not able to join us on campus, they can listen or stream from the comfort of their own home.

In addition, graduates will have the opportunity to pick up a yard sign to show off their accomplishment to friends and family. WNCW will also read the names of graduates on the air from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. during regular broadcasts the week of June 8. Some departments will have special drive-through recognitions of their own students on the day of June 15. Individual departments will notify their students of any specific plans.

For questions, contact the Records Office by email at registrar@isothermal.edu, by phone at 828-395-1430, or you may schedule a video call or seated appointment.

Submitted by Michael Gavin