Commencement

Harford's Sixty-Ninth Annual Commencement Ceremonies

Thursday, May 20, 2027

The ceremonies recognize all August and December 2026 graduates and May and August 2027 candidates for graduation in the College’s associate degree and certificate programs.

Overview

2027 Commencement takes place on May 20, 2027. Ceremonies are held in the morning and afternoon in the APGFCU Arena at Harford Community College for graduates of the following divisions:

Morning Ceremony:
For graduates of Arts and Humanities and the Behavioral and Social Sciences divisions.

Afternoon Ceremony:
For graduates of the Business and Applied Technology, Nursing and Allied Health Professions, and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math divisions.

Visit the Academic Catalog, Programs of Study if you need assistance determining which division applies to you.

Guests are welcome and encouraged to attend in-person, and tickets are NOT required. The ceremonies will be live-streamed and recorded. A recorded version for each ceremony will be available for viewing on our website at a later date.

See Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) below for further Commencement information or contact the Commencement Planning Committee tri-chairs at commencement@harford.edu.

Attention Graduates!

Students who graduated in August or December 2026 or applied to graduate in May or August 2027 are invited to attend Commencement 2027.

Timeline and Important Dates

Second Week of March
Commencement Ceremony invitations emailed to students

First Week of April
Official Commencement Ceremony invitations mailed to students | NOTE: Complete the change of address form to update your address. Allow time for delivery.

Mid-May | Cap and Gown Pick-up
The College Store in the Student Center*
Hours: MON—THU: 8:30 AM—5 PM | FRI: 8:30 AM—3 PM *Excluding weekends

Frequently Asked Questions

GRADUATION VS. COMMENCEMENT

Graduation refers to the conferring of an academic degree. At Harford Community College, you must meet specific requirements to graduate, and you must apply for graduation. Commencement is an optional College-sponsored ceremony in which graduating students dress in regalia, process, and are formally conferred a degree or certificate. To participate in the Commencement ceremony, you must meet all graduation requirements and reserve a spot in the ceremony. RSVPing for Commencement is a separate form from the graduation application.

Deadline to apply to graduate is MAY 1. To RSVP for commencement, please refer to the links above depending on the division you are receiving a degree/certificate in.

REGALIA

The college provides caps and gowns to all students that RSVP to Commencement. Regalia will be able to be picked up at the bookstore in May, excluding weekends. For hours, please visit the The College Store website.

While it is not the practice of the College to encourage the decoration of regalia at the Commencement ceremony, if it is your intention to do so, please do it tastefully and with respect for the dignity of the occasion. The College holds Commencement to celebrate the academic achievements of all the graduates of the Class of 2027. We ask that you recognize it as a formal and prestigious occasion and to hold the event in proper perspective.

Stoles and/or cords are provided by Honor Societies. If you are part of an Honor Society, you will receive information from your Honor Society advisor. If you believe you should have received an Honor Society stole or cord and have not, please reach out to your advisor or the Office of Student Life at studentlife@harford.edu.

CEREMONY ATTENDANCE

Students should arrive at the auxiliary gym in the Susquehanna, up to 1 hour before their ceremony start time, but no later than 30 minutes. Bring limited belongings and leave them with guests before heading to the Auxiliary Gym. Belongings may not be stored in the Auxiliary Gym during the ceremony.
We recommend that graduates dress semi-casual or semi-formal depending on your level of comfort walking across the stage and being recorded/photographed wearing. Gowns are blue.

TICKETING

There are no tickets needed for guests to attend either Commencement Ceremony. Seating is first come, first serve.

Live Streaming

2027 Commencement will be live-streamed on YouTube. 2026 Commencement recordings are available to view:

10 AM Ceremony Recording: for graduates of the Arts and Humanities and the Behavioral and Social Sciences divisions.
2 PM Ceremony Recording: for graduates of the Business and Applied Technology, Nursing and Allied Health Professions, and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math divisions.

Visit the Academic Catalog, Programs of Study if you need assistance determining which division applies to you.

ACCESSIBILITY

Harford Community College is committed to promoting the full participation of all individuals with disabilities in the Commencement Ceremony.  For disability-related accommodations, contact 443.412.2402 or accessibility@harford.edu.  Additional information regarding accommodations is below:

Drop Off/Pick Up: The main entrance of the APGFCU Arena offers a convenient drop off/pick up option for guests.
ADA Parking: Accessible parking is available in the S Lot closest to the Arena.  A disability placard or disability license plate is required to park in these designated spaces.
Ramp: In addition to the stairs leading from the parking lot to the main entrance of the Arena, there is a ramp to the left-hand side when facing the Arena.
ADA Seating: Seating for individuals with wheelchairs is in row A on the floor in bleacher sections B, C, L, and M, and on the concourse in row P in bleacher sections F, G, and H (under the flags).
Elevator: Upon entering the Arena’s main entrance, the elevator is located just beyond the restrooms on the concourse.    
ASL Interpreting is available upon request. Contact 443.412.2402 or accessibility@harford.edu. 
Large Print Programs: Large print programs are available upon request, as supplies last, in the lobby.

Photography

If you participated in this 2026's in-person Commencement Ceremony and took part in the formal portrait session, your portraits are now available for download at no cost – a small gift from all of us at Harford.

Click here to download your graduation portrait: https://harfordcc.smugmug.com/2026-Commencement-Portraits

View all of the day's photos at this link here: https://harfordcc.smugmug.com/Commencement-2026

Congratulations, Harford Class of 2026!

PHOTOGRAPHY: Be advised that photographs and/or video may be taken at this event for use by Harford Community College. By taking part in this event, you grant the event organizers full rights to use the images resulting from any photography or video taken. Photos and video become the property of Harford Community College.