Commencement

Commencement 2024

Instructions for Graduation Day

Graduates must arrive by 9:15am and check-in at the desk in F-building. Please provide arrangements for bags and/or personal belongings during the ceremony (they will not be secured in D, E, or F buildings).

Guest Information

Tickets are not required. The ceremony is open admission and seating is first come, first serve. There will be a designated area for handicap seating. Please check with a BRCC Staff Member upon arrival.

Rain Location

If the ceremony is postponed due to inclement weather, it will be held at the James Madison University Atlantic Union Bank Center, Harrisonburg, VA on May 13 at 6:00 p.m.

Graduation Photos

Graduation photos are available online by clicking here. You may download, share, and/or print as you please.

2024 Speaker

Keynote Speaker – Tassie Pippert

Tassie Pippert is a faculty emeritus member of the Hart School of Hospitality, Sport and Recreation Management at James Madison University and is currently the Chef in Residence at Hotel Madison in Harrisonburg. Her areas of teaching expertise included culinary arts and menu management, food and beverage planning and analysis, leadership, events management, and wine studies. Tassie is a member of the board of Directors for VPM, a Virginia PBS conglomerate, the Virginia Wine Benefit, and the Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation. She is a frequent speaker for activities involving Virginia wine production, sales, and marketing, as well as a host and producer of the Emmy Award-winning PBS show, Un-Wine’d, featuring regional wine pairings and assessments. 

Mrs. Pippert is a member of International Council of Hospitality, Restaurant, and Institutional Educators (ICHRIE) where she served most recently as the international secretary for the organization. For several years, she has presented workshops at conferences focused on food and beverage management and the use of industry technology, and has presented workshops on technology innovation for faculty and staff at universities across the country. Tassie has taught beverage management in California, France, Scotland, England, Ireland, and Italy. In 2016 and 2023 she served as Faculty Member in Residence for JMU in Florence, Italy. She is a judge for the Shenandoah Cup, Monticello Cup, and Virginia Governor’s Cup wine competitions.

Mrs. Pippert is a graduate of Blue Ridge Community College and a double graduate of JMU. She is a native of Harrisonburg where she lives with her husband, Tom, and is actively involved in many communities throughout Virginia and California. Tassie is a certified chef, a Certified Specialist of Wine, and holds certifications through the Wine and Spirits Educators Trust.

Student Speaker – Robert Adkins

Robert Adkins will be receiving his Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Business Administration. Like many community college students, Mr. Adkins came to BRCC a little later in life to earn training and credentials to improve his career options.

In addition to working full-time and taking classes at BRCC, Robert enjoys spending time with his family, especially hiking with his son, Carson. Robert and his wife, Lisa, enjoy every opportunity to try new locally-owned restaurants. After graduation, he will transfer to the University of Minnesota – Crookston to pursue a bachelor’s degree in manufacturing management online.

Get Ready for Commencement

Apply for Graduation

If you believe you are on track to graduate this May, please complete the Graduation Application in SIS. It can be found in the Student Message Center under the Academics Section.

Invitations

Students may order customized graduation announcements through Herff Jones at www.collegegrad.herffjones.com. Contact John Shewmaker for assistance at jtshewmaker@herffjones.com or (434) 326-0344.

RSVP

Attendance is not required. Please confirm your intent to participate in the ceremony by picking up your FREE cap, gown, and tassel from the College Bookstore by May 7.

Caps, Gowns, and Tassels

You may pick up your cap, gown, and tassel at the College Bookstore beginning April 8. Students are eligible for one set at no charge.

PTK – Current members of the PTK Honor Society may purchase honor stoles, tassels, and cords at the College Bookstore, (proof of membership in the Society will be required).

Diplomas

Diplomas and certificates will be mailed to students in mid-June. Name and address changes should be emailed to Graduation@brcc.edu by May. 15. Diploma frames are available at the College Bookstore.

Accommodations

If you need accommodations in order to participate in the ceremony, please contact The Office of Student Accessibility at accessibility@brcc.edu by Friday, April 26.