Car-mencement

For 2022 graduates, Central Oregon Community College (COCC) will host a drive-thru graduation for the safety of students, staff, and anyone who attends the ceremony.

When graduates are in their vehicles, they will only be on college roads so graduation will not affect other traffic. 

Graduates are able to celebrate their accomplishments by being closer to family and friends during the graduation process and can show off their accomplishments to anyone on the Bend campus. Even though COVID-19 created a lot of negative changes, this change can be positive in many ways to many people. 

“I don’t have to sit around in a (probably) uncomfortable chair all day long while my family stands around with almost as much anticipation as I will have,” said Tylara Clark, a graduating senior. 

Alicia Moore, vice president of student affairs, said that the ceremony will be the same as last year. Students will be grouped together based on their major and be able to exit their vehicles to walk across the stage in those groups to receive their degree or certificate. 

“The whole ceremony is so unique, but incredibly special and personal for students. Last year, some students brought their kids or grandparents across the stage with them. Others decorated their cars and packed people in, while others chose to come by themselves and celebrated with friends and family after. Regardless, this ceremony allows students to make it their own – something that is a great outcome of this non-traditional format,”

SAID ALICIA MOORE, VICE PRESIDENT OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

Drive-through graduation is unusual and allows graduates to decorate more than just their caps. They can also decorate their vehicles. 

“I get to decorate a vehicle and ride around town in it for a couple days announcing to everyone that ‘I did it!’” said Clark.  

“In the end, I’m most excited about getting to celebrate our students and their accomplishments,” said Alicia Moore. 

REGISTRATION

To register to be a part of this event, email [email protected] or call Admissions at 541-383-7500.
For more information please visit, Commencement – Central Oregon Community College – Central Oregon Community College (cocc.edu). There will be more information about the ceremony released in the upcoming weeks.