Campus News

The Calhoun Community College Administration team has decided to waive all graduation fees for students who plan to participate in the college’s annual commencement ceremony on May 12 at 6:00 p.m.

According to Interim President, Dr. Jimmy Hodges, the fees being waived for students includes their cap and gown purchase, as well as the cost for diploma covers. “It’s been difficult for our students, faculty, and staff to maneuver around the continuous COVID restrictions these past two years,” commented Hodges. “But this year, for 2022, we are planning to celebrate the accomplishments of our students like never before,” he added.

“Every year, the logistics of planning graduation continues to be difficult as the college is always at the mercy of Mother Nature to determine whether or not the ceremony will be held on the front lawn of campus or in the gymnasium where occupancy restrictions are a burden,” said Hodges. In the event of rain, the college is forced to hold the ceremony in the Kelley Gymnasium, which has a maximum capacity of 2,500 people, preventing students who are walking to invite all of their family and friends. “The weather in our region is very hard to predict in May, and has brought too many uncertainties in the past on graduation day. This year, I’ve asked the Calhoun Graduation Committee and the Administration team to work with me to help remove all obstacles that would prevent our students from having their family and friends present as they walk across the graduation stage, and we did just that. Calhoun is excited to announce that for the first time in the college’s history, graduation will be held in the arena at the Von Braun Center (VBC) in Huntsville,” added Hodges.

School officials hope this new decision will not only help increase graduation participation numbers, but also that a record turnout of family and friends will be in attendance to help celebrate the great accomplishments of its students. The VBC arena can seat 6,000 people, and the college felt it was the best solution. During rain, the college would hold graduation in the gym where students were given a limited number of tickets to provide to family and friends to attend. Others who did not have tickets were allowed to sit in a designated overflow section on campus to view the graduation ceremony virtually.

“Our students work so hard throughout their time at Calhoun to earn their certificates/degrees, and we most certainly feel they deserve to not be limited on the number of family and friends to invite on their milestone day,” commented Dr. Patricia Wilson, Calhoun Vice President of Student Services. “We are looking forward to starting a new tradition at the college. We hope this solution not only excites our students but that it also encourages them to allow us to celebrate them as they deserve,” added Wilson.

The college has not announced its graduation speaker. For more information about Calhoun’s graduation, please visit www.calhoun.edu/graduation.