2023 GRADUATES

Congratulations Class of 2023!

This page is where you will find all the up-to-date Graduation information for the 2023 graduates.  All graduation information is sent to students via their Gateway Community College student e-mail address.

The ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 25, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. at the Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater located at 500 Broad Street in Bridgeport.

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Spring 2023 graduates must complete a Graduation Workshop and the application by March 31, 2023.

Summer 2023 graduates must complete a Graduation Workshop and the application by June 30, 2023.

All potential graduates are required to attend a Graduation Workshop.  Please email for additional information.

All caps & gowns will be available for pick up at the Graduation Fairs with all of your other requirements for graduation.  See Below for additional information.

The Graduation Fairs will be held at the following dates and times:

• Monday, April 17, 2023 – 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – N-100
• Tuesday, April 18, 2023 – noon – 4:00 p.m. – N-100
• Wednesday, April 26, 2023 – 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. – 2^nd Floor Fairway
• Thursday, April 27, 2023 – 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – N-100

*Other dates will be added as needed

At the Graduation Fairs:

• Pick up tickets • Pick up pre-ordered cap and gown • Participate in Cap Decorating Contest • Receive Graduate Name Card • Receive information regarding class rings(dates: 4/26 & 4/27) • A professional photographer(dates: TBD) • Area Colleges Available will be on hand to answer questions about transferring

COMMENCEMENT SITE

This year’s commencement will take place at the new Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater in Bridgeport, at 4:00pm. Guests will be allowed to enter the Amphitheater at 2:45p.m. Please check back for updates on the entrance information. Doors will close at 3:30p.m. and the ceremony will begin promptly at 4:00p.m.

Directions to the Amphitheater can be accessed at: https://hartfordhealthcareamp.com/. Please allow extra time for travel and parking.

GRADUATE ENTRY & PROCESSION ASSEMBLY

Graduates should arrive by 2:00p.m. Important updates related to graduate assembly, entry and procession directions will be posted here. Please check the site regularly for updates.

Students who have chosen to participate in the commencement ceremony must plan to stay for the entire ceremony which will take approximately two hours.

CAPS AND GOWNS

Graduates must have their height and weight to order their cap and gown online at: https://www.bkstr.com/gatewayccfollettstore/product/gateway-community-college-associate-set-9291-1 . The charge for your cap & gown is $36 + tax. Caps and gowns will be available for pick up at a scheduled Graduation Fair. Please have your confirmation number available.

GUEST TICKETS

• If you have a blue guest ticket, you arrival time will be 2:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
• If you have a green guest ticket, your arrival time will be 2:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• If you have a red guest ticket, your arrival time will be 3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.

The doors will close at 3:40 p.m. for the procession and will reopen once the graduates are all in their seats.

Please note guests are not allowed in the tunnel area where the graduates will be lining up.

HONOR CORDS

Honor cords will be distributed at the Amphitheater prior to the ceremony to students who have a total GPA of 3.4 or higher.

SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS

If you are a graduate with a disability who needs special accommodations, please contact Ron Chomicz at or by calling 203-285-2231. Please contact him no later than Friday May 5, 2023.

PARKING

The Amphitheater has two parking lots available across the street from the venue. There is no fee for parking.

GRADUATE NAME CARDS

Please pick up name cards at a scheduled Graduation Fair. Name cards will be used to call your name and degree/certificate at the ceremony. When graduates are approaching the stage to receive their diploma cover, they must hand their name card to the announcer. When your name is read, please walk across the stage to receive your diploma cover from the College CEO.

PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY

A professional photographer will be available to take your photo before and after receiving your diploma cover on stage. You will be able to fill out your contact information on your Graduation Name Card. This will enable the photographer to contact you directly to make arrangements directly with the studio for purchasing the photographs. Guests are not permitted in the aisles to take photographs during the Commencement exercises as such activity can be distracting and may create safety concerns. A photographer from the Amphitheater will also be available to take family portraits at designated locations.

DIPLOMAS

All participating graduates will be given a diploma cover on stage at Commencement. You will receive notification from the Dean of Student Affairs when diplomas will be available for students.