MSJC plans drive-through, virtual graduation ceremonies

News release from Mt. San Jacinto College:

Mt. San Jacinto College will celebrate its largest graduating class in its nearly 60-year history on May 27 when it holds a drive-through graduation celebration and a virtual graduation ceremony for the Class of 2021.

MSJC will award a record-breaking 3,730 degrees and certificates to 2,091 graduates. That’s 133 more graduates than last year, when the previous record was set. The graduates will earn a total of 3,190 associate degrees and 540 career certificates, as some students earn more than one degree, certificate or a combination. The graduation theme is "Today's Resiliency is Tomorrow's Hope."

The drive-through graduation celebration on May 27 at the Menifee Valley Campus will provide graduates an opportunity to be recognized for their hard work while remaining safe and adhering to COVID-19 social distancing guidelines. Graduates can bring family, wear their regalia (and a mask), walk across the stage, hear their name read, and have a photo taken.

Graduates will arrive at staggered times throughout the day. A pre-recorded virtual ceremony will also launch that day on YouTube for all graduates to enjoy and for those who wish to stay at home.

The 2021 virtual ceremony will feature speeches from MSJC Superintendent/President Dr. Roger Schultz; Vice President of Instruction Dr. Jeremy Brown; and videos with student speaker Jennifer R. Vargas, a nursing and science major from Lake Elsinore; Student Government Association President Brian Moreno-Alvarez, a Perris resident and quadruple major (sociology; kinesiology; liberal arts-mathematics and science; and liberal arts-social and behavioral science); Alliah J. Anid, a Wildomar resident and music major who will sing the National Anthem; Aaron Gonzalez, a Hemet resident and science major who will give the Land Acknowledgement; Mia Rose Leon, a Murrieta resident and triple major (science; social & behavioral sciences; and liberal arts-mathematics and science) leading the Turning of the Tassel; and Student Trustee Castin Chamberlain, a Murrieta resident and social justice major.

MSJC held a virtual graduation ceremony last year for the Class of 2020 as a result of the pandemic. This year, MSJC will hold a drive-through graduation celebration on May 26 at the Menifee Valley Campus for those from the Class of 2020.