Graduation Celebrations Planned Online Plus Drive-Through Format

Eastern Florida State College will hold a Virtual Commencement Ceremony for Fall Term graduates Dec. 17 that will include special Drive-Through Celebrations on all four campuses.

The plan is in response to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and the college’s commitment to protect the health and safety of students, employees and the public.

Nearly 1,200 students will be eligible to receive their diplomas.

“These students have shown amazing resiliency and an unwavering commitment to their futures by completing their education and not letting the virus stop them. I’m extremely proud of them as they mark this important milestone in their lives,“ said college President Dr. Jim Richey.

The virtual ceremony will feature taped remarks from Richey, faculty and staff, and include the names of all graduates, including Summer graduates because they were eligible to take part in the Dec. 17 commencement.

The taped ceremony will be posted at noon, Dec. 17 on the college’s website at easternflorida.edu/go/efscgrad, plus featured on @easternflorida social media platforms such as Facebook and YouTube. It will also air at noon on WEFS-TV, with a television replay at 6 p.m. that day.

The drive-through events on the Titusville, Cocoa, Melbourne and Palm Bay campuses will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and college staff will be on hand to direct the traffic flow.

For the Titusville campus, enter through the main entrance from U.S. Highway 1; for the Cocoa campus, enter from Clear Lake Rd.; on the Melbourne campus the entrance is from Post Rd. near the Tennis Courts; and the Palm Bay campus entrance is from San Filippo Dr. near Lowe's.

Large congratulatory banners will be in place to serve as backdrops for student and family pictures and videos, with professional photography services available.

There will be two photography locations on each campus, with one staffed by GradImages, the same company that takes indoor commencement photos. GradImages will contact graduates directly after the drive-through events with details on available photos and how to purchase them.

At the second photography location, students must bring their own devices for photos plus come prepared to take their own photos due to COVID-19 safety protocols.

Students will also receive a diploma cover and celebratory yard sign at the drive-through events. 

Facial covering and social distancing requirements must be followed while on campus. Because of the increased number of people in the drive-through celebration and photo banner locations, that includes the requirement to wear a mask or other facial covering while outside a vehicle except when having a photo taken. College officials will be on site to direct traffic.

Students who graduated in the Summer Term can also participate along with Spring Term graduates who may have missed a similar drive-through experience on the Melbourne campus in May that attracted hundreds of students, families and friends.

The College's Bookstores are offering caps, gowns and tassels for students who would like to take photos wearing graduation regalia. The bookstores will be offering a selection of items for sale at the drive-through celebrations and items are in on-campus stores now. Visit the website at easternflorida.edu/go/bookstore for more information and store hours.

Students who are enrolled in EFSC’s Honors Program and are slated to graduate with their Honors designation or Honors Affiliate status for the Summer 2020 or Fall 2020 terms can pick up their honors certificates, tassels and medallion during the Dec. 17 drive-through event on their home campus. Honors Program graduates unable to attend should contact moneymakerp@easternflorida.edu.

White tassels for students who are graduating with a 3.5 or higher grade point average also will be available at the drive-through events.

Visit easternflorida.edu/go/efscgrad for graphics and other resources to help graduates celebrate online with family and friends. Graduates should post pictures and videos with the hashtag #efscgrad to have them included in EFSC's virtual Social Media Wall.