Commencement Ceremony Information | HCTC

Current Students

Commencement Ceremony Information

Commencement/Pinning Ceremony Information

Hazard Community and Technical College will host two commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 6, 2023. The ceremonies will be held at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. with information about attendance at each ceremony located below.

The graduation ceremonies will be held at the Forum in Hazard, Kentucky.

The Forum
101 Bulldog Lane
Hazard, KY 41701

Rehearsal for both Commencement Ceremonies will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 5, at The Forum.

Morning Commencement Ceremony, 10:00 a.m.*

If you are graduating from any program listed below (including related certificates), you should arrive by 8:00 a.m. for check-in. Your commencement ceremony will begin at 10:00 a.m.

  • Diagnostic Medical Sonography
  • Medical Assisting
  • Medical Information Technology
  • Medical Laboratory Technician (Phlebotomy)
  • Nursing (RN, LPN, KMA, MNA)**
  • Physical Therapy Assistant
  • Radiography
  • Surgical Technology

*Nursing Pinning Ceremony information is located at the end of the page.

**Includes students who receive the nurse aide certificate.

Afternoon Commencement Ceremony, 1:00 p.m.

If you are graduating from any program listed below (including related certificates), you should arrive by 11:30 a.m. for check-in. Your commencement ceremony will begin at 1:00 p.m.

  • Associate in Arts
  • Associate in Science
  • Advanced Integrated Technology (Lineman)
  • Air Conditioning Technology
  • Automotive Technology
  • Business Administration
  • Computer Aided Drafting & Design
  • Computer and Information Technology
  • Construction Technology
  • Cosmetology
  • Criminal Justice
  • Diesel Technology
  • Electrical Technology
  • General Occupational/Technical Studies
  • Heavy Equipment Operations
  • Human Services
  • Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education
  • Manufacturing Engineering Technology
  • Surveying and Mapping Technology
  • Truck Driver Training (CDL)
  • Unmanned Systems Technology
  • Visual Communications
  • Welding Technology

Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Students

PTK students should contact their PTK advisor to arrange to pick up their stole and tassel; these items will be worn with the cap and gown during the graduation ceremony.

Graduation Attire For the Commencement Ceremony

Academic Attire is Required. Students will need to purchase Graduation Attire online from the HCTC Bookstore (change your bookstore to Hazard community and Technical College-if necessary). You can also purchase your cap and gown directly from the HCTC Bookstore. Contact Penny Francis, Manager, by email or by phone at (606) 487-3142 or (606) 436-1091.

Your cap and gown should be blue; however, if you are a high school student who is also graduating from HCTC, you may wear your high school cap and gown.

A representative from the Hazard Bookstore will be available at the Lees College Campus on Monday, March 13, 2023, in Telford 210, from 9:30 a.m. to Noon for students to stop by in person to order graduation caps and gowns.

The Hazard Campus Bookstore is open daily, Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., for ordering and picking up graduation attire. Once the product arrives at the Hazard Bookstore, we will contact those students who have ordered to make arrangements for pickup. The last day to order graduation apparel is Monday, March 13, 2023.

Graduation Photographs

Individual photos will be taken by the HCTC marketing team during the ceremony. These pictures will be posted on the HCTC Facebook Page by Monday following the ceremonies. HCTC will also live stream all two ceremonies on May 6th. If you do NOT want your picture posted on the HCTC Facebook page, please contact Delcie Combs in the President?s Office.

There will also be a backdrop set up at the front of The Forum where you may take your own pictures with family and friends before or after the ceremony.

Receiving Multiple Credentials

If you are graduating from programs listed above at different times, you may choose which Commencement to attend. You will be recognized for all credentials earned, regardless of which time you attend. 

Nursing Pinning Ceremonies

Registered Nursing Ceremony, May 6, 2023, 3:00 p.m., will be held at the Hazard Campus in Hazard, Kentucky. This includes Nursing graduates from both the Hazard and Lees College Campuses.

Hazard Campus, First Federal Center
One Community College Drive 
Hazard, KY 41701

For More Information

For more information or if you have questions about commencement, you may contact Jessica Barger by email or by phone at 606-487-3532.