December Academic Reception

December Academic Reception 2019

December academic reception

Photos of reception - families students president

The December Academic Reception recognizes the academic achievements of MCLA’s August graduates and  students who have applied for December graduation.  All students invited to attend the December Academic Reception are also invited to return to campus for the May 11, 2024 Commencement ceremony.

The December Academic Reception will take place on Friday, December 1, 2023 in the atrium of the Feigenbaum Center for Science and Innovation, from 5:30 pm-7:00 pm. The event will start at 5:30 and usually ends by 6:30. We ask students to arrive at the event before 5:30 to check in.

Who’s Invited & Seating

Students who graduated in August or have applied for December graduation will receive an invitation letter from President Birge by mail to their home address, and by email to the student's MCLA email address. 

Students are welcome to bring family and friends to the December Academic Reception.  Students do not need tickets for guests, but we ask students to RSVP to let us know they plan to attend and the number of guests they plan to bring.  Seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

All MCLA faculty and staff are invited to attend.  We ask faculty and staff to please use the chairs in the back of the atrium to allow the students’ families and friends to have seats closer to the event.  

Please scan the QR code below to RSVP, or click on it for a link to the RSVP form.

QR Code for 2023 December Academic Reception RSVP

What Happens at the Event

The event includes brief remarks by Dean Carolyn Dehner, President Birge, a representative from MCLA Alumni, and Provost and Vice President Richard Glejzer.  There is no procession, and students do not typically wear regalia (cap and gown) for this event.

We ask students to arrive at the event before 5:30 to check in.  Students will be given a name tag and a card with their name and major. 

Students will sit together in designated rows in the front of the atrium and, after the remarks, will line up next to Professor Graziana D'Elia-Brillante.  Each student will hand their card to Professor D'Elia-Brillante, and she will read the student’s name and major from the card to the audience.  Then, the student will walk across the stage, greet the President, and receive a gift from the Alumni Association.

What should I wear?

We don’t have a required dress code, and many students choose to wear business attire (shirt and tie, dress/skirt, nice pants, etc.) since this is a special occasion and families and friends take pictures during and after the event. 

Masks are optional.

MCLA's current mask policy is that masks are optional around campus and individuals should decide to wear or not wear a mask based on their personal choice.

Are refreshments available?

At this time, we plan to serve light refreshments.  Additionally, here is a list of local restaurants if you would like to grab a bite after the event.

RSVP

Students do not need tickets for guests, but we ask them to RSVP and let us know they plan to attend and the number of guests they will bring. 

Please scan the QR code below to RSVP, or click on it for a link to the RSVP form.

QR Code for DAR 2023 RSVP

Questions

Please contact Jonathan Del Sordo at (413) 662-5071 or jonathan.delsordo@mcla.edu with any questions.