PCC Prepares for Over 800 Students to Participate in May 5 Commencement Ceremony

Pasadena City College will conduct its 97th commencement ceremony on May 5, 7 p.m. at Robinson Stadium at the PCC Colorado Campus.

The commencement exercise, the college’s largest public event, is traditionally held in Robinson Stadium in May or June, coinciding with the end of the spring term.

College spokesperson Alexander Boekelheide said over 3,100 students are completing a degree or certificate at PCC in the fall 2022, spring 2023, and summer 2023 terms.

“We estimate 800 students will participate in the ceremony that night,” he added.

Boekelheide said this year’s commencement speaker will be chosen from among the graduating students. 

The ceremony is a ticketed event. Each graduate will be given up to four guest tickets and will receive an email with direction on how to download these tickets for the ceremony. 

Those who will not be able to attend in-person can watch the ceremony, which will be live-streamed on the college’s YouTube channel at youtube.com/pcclancer.

GradFest, an event held by the PCC Bookstore to let graduating students ask questions about the Commencement process, purchase PCC memorabilia, and purchase their caps and gowns is scheduled for April 20 from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. at the PCC Bookstore.

The 2023 International End-of-Year Celebration will be held on April 21 at 4 p.m.

In addition to the main ceremony, students can also choose to participate in the cultural graduation ceremonies happening prior to the main ceremony which include the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Graduation which will take place on April 21 at 6:30 p.m., Black  Excellence Graduation, which will be held on April 21 at 5:30 p.m., Latinx/a/o Graduation, to be held on April 28 at 6 p.m., Lavender Graduation, which will be held on April 27 at 6 p.m. and UndocuGraduation which will be held on April 26 at 6 p.m.

More information about PCC’s commencement ceremony and related matters is available at pasadena.edu/commencement.