Updated Commencement Plan
Ocean County College will hold three smaller graduation ceremonies on Thursday, May 22, 2025, to accommodate all our graduates and three guests per graduate. These ceremonies will take place in the HPE Gymnasium (Building #29) at 10:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m.
Ceremony assignments will be:
- 10:00 a.m. – High School Academy students and graduates with last names beginning A-C
- 1:00 p.m. – Graduates with last names beginning D-M
- 4:00 p.m. – Graduates with last names N-Z
Graduates should arrive one hour prior to their assigned ceremony time. Upon arrival, graduates must report to the Auxiliary Gymnasium for check-in.
Due to limited space, we must strictly enforce the three-guest limit per graduate. We ask that everyone comply with this request to be considerate of fellow graduates and their families.
Additional details:
- Doors to the Gymnasium will open one hour prior to each ceremony.
- Each ceremony will begin promptly at the designated start time and guests should plan accordingly.
- All campus parking lots will be open on Commencement day. However, due to the number of guests expected, parking in the lot closest to the Gymnasium may not be available. We ask attendees to allow extra time for parking.
- A livestream will be available for additional family and friends to view the ceremony remotely.
- The livestream will be available for on-campus viewing in the Student Center and the Conference Center.
For questions, please contact the Office of Student Life at 732-255-0348.
Dear Graduate:
We received many messages of disappointment about our original plan for commencement. Please know that it was never our intention to diminish the hard work, perseverance, and support that brought each student to this graduation milestone. We know how much this moment means, not just to our graduates, but to every person who stood beside them on this journey.
This year, we’ve been faced with an unusually rare weather threat—two consecutive days of rain—which we haven’t encountered in many years of outdoor ceremonies. The need to respond to this unexpected situation has required flexibility and creativity, and we want you to know that our commitment to honoring our graduates has never wavered.
To that end, we are moving forward with three smaller ceremonies tomorrow and allowing three guests per graduate. We believe this adjustment will provide a more personal and celebratory experience, ensuring that each student is meaningfully recognized and surrounded by loved ones on their special day.
To ensure the safety and comfort of all attendees, the three ceremonies will be held on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m., all in the HPE Gymnasium (Building #29).
Ceremony assignments will be:
- 10:00 a.m. – High School Academy students and graduates with last names beginning A-C
- 1:00 p.m. – Graduates with last names beginning D-M
- 4:00 p.m. – Graduates with last names N-Z
Graduates should arrive one hour prior to their assigned ceremony time. Upon arrival, graduates must report to the Auxiliary Gymnasium for check-in.
Due to limited space, we must strictly enforce the three-guest limit per graduate. We ask that everyone comply with this request to be considerate of fellow graduates and their families.
Additional details:
- Doors to the Gymnasium will open one hour prior to each ceremony.
- Each ceremony will begin promptly at the designated start time and guests should plan accordingly.
- All campus parking lots will be open on Commencement day (see campus map). However, due to the number of guests expected, parking in the lot closest to the Gymnasium may not be available. We ask attendees to allow extra time for parking.
- A livestream will be available for additional family and friends to view the ceremony remotely: https://vimeo.com/event/5134545
- The livestream will be available for on-campus viewing in the Student Center and the Conference Center.
For questions, please contact the Office of Student Life at 732-255-0348
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we celebrate this important milestone together.
Pamela
Pamela Monaco, Ph.D.
President
Congratulations Graduates!
May marks graduation time at Ocean County College. Find Ceremony Times & Dates, Order your Cap & Gown, Where to pick up your Special Regalia Items, Venue information for guests & More!
Cap and Gown Orders
- For verification purposes, please enter your OCC student email address and your full name (as shown on your student ID) on the shipping address at checkout.
- Before check out, please enter the graduation promo code (see below). After entering the promo code, you will NOT need to pay for this order.
- Each student must place their own order under the student’s name. Please do not include more than one set of caps and gowns in your order.
- Students ordering caps and gowns use the code OCC2025 to apply the 100% off shipping discount code.
- All cap and gown orders must be submitted by May 9th, 2025
Special Regalia Items
Honor Societies
- Students with a final grade point average of 3.5 or higher are eligible for gold tassels.
- NJStars students are eligible to receive a pin.
- Honors by Contract students who complete the program are eligible for a tassel and stole.
- Psi Beta, Psychology Honor Society members are eligible to receive a cord.
- Sigma Kappa Delta, English Honor Society members, are eligible to receive a pin.
Pick up during Commencement Week
Monday and Tuesday
9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Student Center – Information Desk (first floor)
Please contact Student Life at 732-255-0348 with any questions about special regalia items.
Veterans
- All eligible graduating student veterans will be entitled to wear a branch specific stole as part of their graduation regalia provided and distributed by the VMRC.
- Any veterans who are members of the SALUTE honor society will also be entitled to an honor cord to wear at graduation.
Commencement Week Ceremonies Dates and Time
Find the official schedule for all Commencement Week ceremonies, including times, locations, and broadcast details for those viewing remotely.
58th Annual Commencement Ceremony
Ocean County College will hold three smaller graduation ceremonies on Thursday, May 22, 2025, to accommodate all our graduates and three guests per graduate. These ceremonies will take place in the HPE Gymnasium (Building #29) at 10:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m.
Ceremony assignments will be:
- 10:00 a.m. – High School Academy students and graduates with last names beginning A-C
- 1:00 p.m. – Graduates with last names beginning D-M
- 4:00 p.m. – Graduates with last names N-Z
Graduates should arrive one hour prior to their assigned ceremony time. Upon arrival, graduates must report to the Auxiliary Gymnasium for check-in.
Due to limited space, we must strictly enforce the three-guest limit per graduate. We ask that everyone comply with this request to be considerate of fellow graduates and their families.
Additional details:
- Doors to the Gymnasium will open one hour prior to each ceremony.
- Each ceremony will begin promptly at the designated start time and guests should plan accordingly.
- All campus parking lots will be open on Commencement day. However, due to the number of guests expected, parking in the lot closest to the Gymnasium may not be available. We ask attendees to allow extra time for parking.
- A livestream will be available for additional family and friends to view the ceremony remotely.
- The livestream will be available for on-campus viewing in the Student Center and the Conference Center.
For questions, please contact the Office of Student Life at 732-255-0348.
Nurses Pinning Ceremony
Watch the Nurses Pinning Ceremony
Inclement Weather
Students and guests will report to the HPE Gymnasium on Tuesday, May 20, for the 5:00 p.m. ceremony.
The decision to move the Nurses’ Pinning Ceremony due to inclement weather will be made by noon on Monday, May 19, and will be announced on the College website (ocean.edu) and Ocean TV20.
Awards Ceremony
TV Schedule
2025 Commencement Broadcast Schedule
Ocean County College’s ceremonies will be broadcast live on Ocean.edu and Ocean TV 20 via Comcast Channel 20 and Verizon FiOS of Northern Ocean County Channel 24.
Nurses Pinning Ceremony
- Tuesday, May 20 – 5:00 p.m. – Watch the Nurses Pinning Ceremony Live
- Wednesday, May 21 – 7:00 p.m.
- Thursday, May 22 – 8:30 p.m.
- Friday, May 23 – 8:30 p.m.
- Saturday, May 24 – 7:00 p.m.
- Sunday, May 25 – 7:30 p.m.
- Monday, May 26 – 7:30 p.m.
Awards Ceremony
- Tuesday, May 20 – 7:00 p.m. – Watch the Awards Ceremony Live
- Wednesday, May 21 – 8:00 p.m.
- Thursday, May 22 – 9:30 p.m.
- Friday, May 23 – 9:30 p.m.
- Saturday, May 24 – 8:00 p.m.
- Sunday, May 25 – 8:30 p.m.
- Monday, May 26 – 8:30 p.m.
Commencement Ceremony
- Thursday, May 22 – at 10:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. – Watch Commencement Live
- Thursday, May 22 – 7:00 p.m.
- Friday, May 23 – 7:00 p.m.
- Saturday, May 24 – 9:00 p.m.
- Sunday, May 25 – 9:30 p.m.
- Monday, May 26 – 9:30 p.m.
Guest Information
This section provides important details to help guests prepare for Commencement. Learn about on-site photography services, safety and security guidelines, seating policies, and accessibility accommodations. We encourage all attendees to review this information in advance to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone.
Photography
Family and friends may take pictures at the ceremony from their seats.
Island Photography is our official Commencement Photographer for 2025.
- They will provide professional photo coverage for every graduate as they are recognized during the ceremony.
- Proofs will be delivered via email within 48-72 hours after the ceremony.
Please contact their customer service team at custserv@islandphoto.com or 800-869-0908 if you have any concerns or questions.
Guests
- Guests must arrive by 4:00 p.m., but no earlier than 2:30 p.m.
- Guests are not permitted to save seats.
- There is no limit on the number of guests. Tickets are not required.
- Strict Security Regulations will be followed. ALL umbrellas, backpacks, and large bags are prohibited from campus during the Commencement Ceremony. All other bags will be subject to search.
Handicapped Access
Students participating in the Commencement Ceremony who require special accommodations should contact Student Life at studentlife@ocean.edu at least three days before the ceremony.
A section of Parking Lot 4 is designated for Handicapped Parking on a first-come, first-served basis. A state-issued Handicapped Parking Pass is required.
Please use our up-to-date Campus Map for directions for parking and accessible walkways on campus.