The First In-Person Commencement in Years

by John McDowell

After two years of commencement being a virtual occasion, Cape Cod Community College (4C's) will once again be hosting the ceremony as an in-person event at the Cape Cod Melody Tent. 

Patrick Stone, the college’s director of strategic communications and marketing, was the emcee for the event in 2019 – the last time it was in-person – and will once again serve in this capacity in the 2022 ceremony, which will be held at 4 p.m. May 25.

Stone says the safety of those attending is the “chief concern.”

“Masks will be required at all times. We’ll have the air flow going. ... We do request that all guests be fully vaccinated or test negative 48 hours prior to the ceremony.” 

Stone says it will be “a traditional Cape Cod Community College commencement” outside of the additional safety measures. For those unable to attend, the ceremony will also be livestreamed on the official 4C’s YouTube channel. 

“The most special fact is that we’re back,” Stone says. “But what’s also special is our keynote speaker.”

The speaker is Marc Randolph, best known as the co-founder of the streaming service Netflix, who has also authored several books about his life and experience as an entrepreneur. 

Stone says he and his fellow members on the commencement committee are excited the event is back in-person.

“For me, it’s the best day of the year. And for the graduating students ... it might end up being one of the most memorable days of their lives.” 

President John Cox with a graduating student during Commencement of 2019 

Photo taken by Andrew Nasser

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