Commencement Ceremony
Congratulations on your accomplishment! Years of hard work and dedication culminate in this timeless academic tradition and celebration of student success. Mat-Su College faculty and staff extend their heart felt congratulations to all of our graduating students. This years ceremony will be held on May 10, 2024 at 7:30 pm, at the Glenn Massay Theater.
Pre-commencement Information:
- Reserve your cap and gown
Our caps and gowns were purchased by the Mat-Su College Student Government Council and are available for your use free of charge. Please go to the Campus Cache during their normal business hours and reserve a gown in your size. Monday - Friday 8:30 am-5 pm. Note: If you wish to purchase a cap and gown, you can order online through the UAA bookstore or call 907-786-1194.
- RSVP for the ceremony
Please let us know if you will be attending the ceremony and how many will be in your party. This will help the committee plan this timeless event.
- Honors CordsGraduates who are receiving honor cords will receive an email with instructions on picking up their cords before commencement in Student Services office.
- Military and Veteran CordsMilitary service members and veteran graduates can pick up a red, white, and blue graduation cord from Student Services.
- May 10 instructions
Commencement at the Glenn Massay Theater
- Rehearsal - 1 pm to 2 pm
- Break - 2 pm to 6 pm
- Commencement
- Graduates must arrive for check-in by 6:00 p.m.
- Group photograph, compliments of Mat-Su College, taken at 6:30 p.m. (SHARP)
- An individual complimentary graduation photo will be provided by Student Government
- You may order additional prints through Ambience Photography at https://bit.ly/GradPhotos24
- Graduate processional line-up at 7:15 p.m.
- Commencement ceremony begins at 7:30 p.m.
- Diplomas and PhotosWe will contact you when your diploma and/or photos(s) are ready for pick up. This will be sometime in early summer.
Leadership and Recognition
Student Commencement Speaker
The Student Commencement Speaker offers an address during the Mat-Su College commencement ceremony and serves as the representative of this year’s graduating class. Providing the student address during this important university event is an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of the graduating class, reflect upon the past few years, and convey a message for the future. Along with notable members of Mat-Su College, UAA and UA community, as well as other important Alaskan representatives, the Student Commencement Speaker participates in pre-commencement activities and is seated on the main stage during the program.
Requirements to be Student Commencement Speaker
- Must have graduated or will be graduating with an associate degree through Mat-Su College during at least one of the following semesters: Summer 2023, Fall 2023 or Spring 2024
- Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher
- Must complete and submit the Application for Student Speaker by April 17, 2024 at 5 p.m.
- Submit Application and Essay to Student Services.
The Mat-Su College Commencement Speaker application requires you to write and attach a short essay to the application. In the essay, explain why you think you would make a good representative for this year’s graduating class and why you would like to be the speaker.
Leadership Honors
Leadership Honors are awarded to individuals upon graduation to recognize and honor their leadership contributions to the UAA Mat-Su College (MSC) and the Mat-Su community while maintaining academic excellence. Leadership activities and involvement must promote individual and collective growth, demonstrate increased engagement with the community at MSC and beyond, thereby enhancing student life at MSC. Recipients of MSC Leadership Honors are commemorated at the MSC commencement ceremony, bestowed crimson honor cords, and receive a permanent notation on their academic transcript.
Requirements to qualify for MSC Leadership Honors
- Must have graduated or will be graduating with an OEC, certificate, or associate degree through Mat-Su College during at least one of the following semesters: Summer 2023, Fall 2023 or Spring 2024
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Complete and submit the MSC Leadership Honors application, including 2 letters of recommendation by April 17, 2024 at 5 p.m.
To Applicant: Give the link above to any Mat-Su College faculty or staff who know you well and can speak directly and specifically about your MSC campus leadership experience, ability and potential. Please allow adequate time for the person providing a recommendation to complete this form before the application deadline of April 17, 2024.
To the Recommender: Students may apply for Student Leadership Honors to be awarded upon graduation. If a student has asked you for a recommendation letter, please describe the student’s strengths with regard to academic achievement, campus leadership, and/or character. Support your statements with reference to your personal academic/campus experiences with the student. Please feel free to attach additional pages if necessary.
*Printed application packets are also available in the Student Services office.
2023/2024 Mat-Su College Graduates
Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
Graduate | Major | Honors |
Aidan Barnett | General Business | |
Kaitlynn Bennett | Accounting | |
Jillian Bowman | Human Services | |
Blainey Dunyon | General Business | Summa Cum Laude |
Kiley Hall | General Business | |
Mariann Kerns | Accounting | |
Jordan Martin | Computer Systems and Network Technology | |
Julia Palko | Accounting | |
Nolan Reid | General Business | |
Kassidy Shoemaker | General Business | |
James Smith | Refrigeration and Heating | |
Associate of Arts (AA)
Graduate | Major | Honors |
Emily Beiler | General Program | |
Nicole Bell | General Program | |
Alla Beregovoy | General Program | |
Jonathan Boss | General Program | |
Amilia Bowles | General Program | |
Remington Bowles | General Program | |
Darian Cabales | General Program | Cum Laude |
Shaunna Campbell | General Program | Magna Cum Laude |
Kamila Carnahan | General Program | |
Brenda Carpenter-Davis | General Program | |
Katelynn Chapman | General Program | |
Cheyanne Cline | General Program | |
Anna Cobb | General Program | Magna Cum Laude |
Jonathan Cuddy | General Program | |
Savanna Davis | General Program | |
Myriah Edwards | General Program | |
Amber Godin | General Program | |
Jasmine Gray | General Program | Cum Laude |
Sophia Harper | General Program | |
Sumner Hayden | General Program | |
Rosalia Hennemann | General Program | |
Trinity Hopkins | General Program | |
Nicholas Kerle | General Program | Summa Cum Laude |
Carston Lee | General Program | |
Ellianna Loudon | General Program | |
Beatrix Merlo-Morris | General Program | |
Megan Nichols | General Program | |
Isabella Sanchez | General Program | |
Sabella Smith | General Program | |
Benjamin Snively | General Program | |
Gage Spencer | General Program | |
Addison Stepchinski | General Program | |
Emily Stocker | General Program | Cum Laude |
Abby Strobel | General Program | |
Ileana Tassie | General Program | Cum Laude |
Kylee Willhite | General Program | |
Hailey Wissler | General Program | |
Occupational Endorsement Certificate (OEC)
Graduate | Certificate |
Zackory Bowman | Cisco-Certified Network Associate |
Sophie Cin | Veterinary Assisting |
Melanie Clayton | Refrigeration and Heating |
Jon Gordaoff | Refrigeration and Heating |
Abagail Harvey | Veterinary Assisting |
Jacklyn Jennings | Veterinary Assisting |
Lindsey Kinion | Veterinary Assisting |
Angela Lamont | Veterinary Assisting |
Keegan Longshore | Refrigeration and Heating |
Daniel Miller | Veterinary Assisting |
Elizabeth Piekarski | Veterinary Assisting |
Dean Tampke | Refrigeration and Heating |
Graduate from UAA, UAS or UAF
Graduate | Major | Degree | Honors |
Madison McDonald | General Program | AA | |
Graduate with Honors
Standing | GPA Requirement | |
Summa Cum Laude | 4.00 | |
Magna Cum Laude | 3.80 to 3.99 | |
Cum Laude | 3.5 to 3.79 |