May 10, 2022 - More than 1,000 local students are eligible to cross the stage at Merced College’s graduation ceremony later this month, and a full crowd of family members, friends and supporters are expected to 
fill Stadium ’76 for the first traditional graduation since 2019.
All graduates from the Class of 2022 will be honored during a single ceremony on Don Odishoo Field at 6 p.m. Friday, May 20. Pending any changes in public health guidance, no masking or distancing restrictions are expected to be in place—although health and safety protocols are encouraged. Tickets are not required for entry, and the ceremony can also be viewed via livestream at this link.
“Graduation is one of the most special and memorable moments in a person’s life,” Merced College President Chris Vitelli said. “I am proud of how creative and nimble our college has been in celebrating our graduates the past two years, but we are truly excited to be able to honor this year’s class without restrictions.”
The COVID-19 pandemic forced the college to adopt a virtual format for graduation in 2020, with graduates receiving special video messages and a gift box in lieu of a full graduation ceremony.
The festivities returned to campus in 2021, but due to ongoing public health restrictions, each ceremony was limited to 200 graduates, and only two guest tickets were given to each graduate, to ensure enough space for physical distancing. Masks were also required, and the classes of 2020 and 2021 were recognized in four separate ceremonies over two days.
About 1,150 students from the Class of 2022 are eligible to participate in this year’s graduation ceremony, and a total of 3,007 degrees and certificates were earned in the 2021-22 academic year. The most popular degrees among this year’s graduates were: AS-T in Business Administration, AS-T in Administration of Justice, AA-T in Psychology, AA-T in Sociology, AA in Social and Behavioral Science, AA in Psychology, AA in Health Science, AS-T in Early Childhood Education, AA-T in Elementary Teacher Education.
The Class of 2022 includes more than 300 students who are graduating with honors, having earned a grade-point average of 3.50 or better with a minimum of 45 units completed. And 50 of those students will earn Superintendent’s Honors by maintaining a GPA of 4.0 with at least 36 units completed.
“Students have endured many challenges and hardships in recent years, and they have persevered,” said Board of Trustees President John Pedrozo. “On behalf of the Board of Trustees and everyone at Merced College, we congratulate the Class of 2022 for their dedication, their resilience, and their remarkable achievements.”
Source: Merced College
