• What personal belongings are allowed to be brought into the Giant Center? 
  
  Please note that graduating students and guests must follow Giant Center guidelines. Everyone will need to go through metal detection before entering the building.
   
  • Items that are permitted
    • Hand-held cameras
    • Bags that are 5 x 8 x 1 inches or smaller
    • A medical equipment bag and/or a parenting needs bag that is smaller than 14 x 14 x 6 inches
    • Handheld umbrellas
  • Items that are not permitted:
    • Bags larger than 5 x 8 x 1 inches, unless it is a diaper or parenting needs bag
    • Signs
    • Balloons, wrapped gifts or gift bags
    • Food or beverages
    • Golf umbrellas

• Can caps be decorated?

  Yes! We encourage you to show how #HACCproud you are of your accomplishment!

  *Please note: The Giant Center will not allow any battery packs through security. Please do not use lights or other electronic features.

• Can graduates wear honor cords and stoles?

  Yes! Graduating students are welcome to wear cords and stoles that represent their identities and celebrate achievements. For example, stoles for military or veteran status and cultural representation are available from the bookstore.

  Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) members can purchase stoles and cords at the PTK store.

  The HACC bookstore provides honor cords for graduating students of HACC's Nursing Program taking part in the spring 2026 nursing pinning ceremony. Please note that only students on a pre-approved list will be allowed to purchase a pack.

• How can family and friends send a congratulatory message to their graduating student?

  We are #HACCproud of our graduating students. To celebrate their remarkable achievements, we need YOUR help!

  By April 27, 2026, please complete this form to share your congratulatory message and best wishes for your graduating student. Your submission may be shared during the ceremony and/or on HACC's social media sites.

• How can I request accessible accommodations?

  Please submit the accessible accommodations request form.

• How long does the ceremony last, and do I need to participate in the full ceremony?

  The ceremony will last approximately two hours. All graduates are asked to remain seated for the entire ceremony.

• How many guests can graduating students invite to the ceremony?

  There is no limit on how many guests can attend the ceremony. Please indicate the approximate number of guests who will be attending in the participation form.

• If I am not able to attend the ceremony on May 6, 2026, how will I receive my diploma?

  Graduating students will not receive their diploma at the Giant Center on May 6, 2026. Spring 2026 graduates will receive their diploma in mid-June. Summer 2026 graduates will receive their diploma in September 2026.

  Please note the ceremony will be posted on HACC's YouTube channel after the event and can be accessed any time.

• If I graduated in the fall 2025 semester, can I participate in this ceremony?

  The spring 2026 Commencement ceremony is for students who are eligible to graduate in spring and summer 2026 semester only.

• What time will the doors open for graduating students and guests?

  Doors will open for graduating students and guests at 4:30 p.m. on May 6, 2026. Students may check in to the left of the Giant Center entrance from 4:30-5 p.m.

• What is the dress code for the ceremony?

  The attire for the ceremony for all graduates is a cap and gown. You can purchase graduation merchandise through the HACC bookstore.

• What if I completed the participation form and can no longer attend the ceremony? 

  Please email commencement@hacc.edu if you can no longer attend the ceremony.

• Will the graduate's names be called at the ceremony? 
  
  Yes. HACC will utilize Tassel name pronunciation service for the spring 2026 Commencement ceremony. Graduating students will receive a name card when they check in at the entrance of the Giant Center. Please hold onto the name card until you walk on stage. You will hand the name card to a HACC volunteer to scan. Then, your name will be called out on stage and you will be shown on the jumbotron screen.

• Will there be a ceremony rehearsal? 

  No. There will not be a ceremony rehearsal. HACC volunteers will guide our graduating students through the ceremony process.

• Will there be food and snacks sold at the concession stands during the ceremony?

  Yes. There will be food and snacks sold at concession stands for guests. Bottled water will also be available for sale for guests and graduating students.

If you have additional questions that are not answered above, please email commencement@hacc.edu. Thank you!

No matter where you're celebrating, please share YOUR Commencement excitement with us on social media!

1. Post your Commencement images
2. Tell us how you're celebrating this remarkable achievement
3. Give shout outs to your favorite HACC employees and fellow graduating students
4. Tag HACC in your posts
5. Use our hashtag: #HACCproud

Dr. Benjamin Henry 
Mace Bearer

Dr. Benjamin Henry is a visionary educational leader, transformational change agent and steadfast advocate for students. With over 20 years of unwavering service in public education, Dr. Henry currently serves as the Superintendent of the Harrisburg School District, where he leads a bold mission to reimagine what’s possible for every child. 

From the classroom to the boardroom, Dr. Henry has consistently championed innovation, equity and excellence. His career is defined by courageous leadership, a relentless belief in the potential of all students and a deep commitment to building inclusive systems that uplift entire communities. Under his leadership, Harrisburg is not just improving -- it is rising. 

Dr. Henry’s work has ignited academic progress, restored trust and inspired a culture of achievement. Whether designing strategic reforms, mentoring future leaders or forging community partnerships, his focus remains constant: to ensure every student -- regardless of background -- has access to a world-class education and the opportunity to thrive. 

Respected by peers and admired by students and families, Dr. Henry is more than a superintendent -- he is a builder of futures, a beacon of hope and a catalyst for lasting change. His legacy is one of empowerment, transformation and purpose-driven leadership that will impact generations to come.

Isaac Witte
Student Singer for “America the Beautiful”

Isaac Witte is delighted and honored to perform the beloved anthem “America the Beautiful” at tonight’s Commencement ceremony. 

Isaac is a native of Harrisburg. He graduated from John Harris High School and the Capital Area School of the Arts in 2009 and the Berkshire Hills Music Academy in 2011. Since that time, Isaac has performed in plays and concerts in community schools, churches and choruses throughout the area, including the 2009 production of “Oliver,” presented by the Jewish Community Center. 

Isaac is currently enrolled at HACC, where he is studying education and drama in preparation for becoming an early childhood education teacher. Isaac made the dean’s list in fall 2025.

John Cline
Faculty Representative

John Cline was born and raised in Cumberland, Maryland, but arrived at HACC in 2023 after teaching visual art to college and high school students in eastern Wyoming for 12 years. He now lives in Harrisburg with his wife Nancy. They have three adult daughters who come and go as their lives lead them on their separate paths.

Isadora Ritenour
Student Representative

Isadora Ritenour is graduating from HACC’s Nursing Program. As a 2020 high school graduate, she is thrilled to finally celebrate a traditional Commencement ceremony. For the past four years, Isadora has worked as a nursing assistant at WellSpan Surgery and Rehabilitation Hospital. Following graduation, she is excited to work as a registered nurse on their post-surgical unit after passing her NCLEX, continuing her passion for helping patients heal and get back home. Outside of her career, Isadora enjoys reading, crafting and spending time with her supportive family and friends. She is also looking forward to marrying the love of her life this upcoming October.

Dear HACC Nursing Graduate,

We are happy to announce the details for the spring pinning ceremony for HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, students who will complete programs in May and August 2026. The Collegewide Pinning Ceremony will honor the Associate Degree RN graduates from the Gettysburg, Harrisburg and Lancaster Campuses.

The pinning ceremony will occur on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, from noon-2 p.m. at the Giant Center (550 Hersheypark Drive, Hershey, PA 17033). This is the same day as HACC’s Commencement ceremony,  so we must conclude the pinning ceremony and vacate the Giant Center no later than 2 p.m.  Doors open for Commencement at 4:30 p.m.. For students who plan to attend both events, we are providing you and your families with a list of area restaurants and activities to fill the time between the two ceremonies.  

To ensure the success of both events, students should arrive for the pinning ceremony no later than 10:45 a.m. (doors open at 11 a.m.). The event will begin promptly at noon. Student graduates will be seated on the floor of the arena. Guests will be seated in the arena seating. On entry, guests will be directed to the arena seating area by faculty greeters.  There is no limitation on the number of guests you invite.

Students who have purchased a pin will need to be sure to bring their nursing pin to the ceremony. Students will enter and be directed by faculty greeters to proceed to the right side of the Giant Center. You are to gather in the Club Lounge.

While in the Club Lounge, you will complete a student information index card for the photographer. Students will then be organized by campus for the procession onto the floor of the arena. Students wishing to be seated together, need to be in line together. Faculty Marshalls will direct students for the procession. Students will take the nursing pin and information index card to the arena floor seating area. These cards will be handed to the faculty announcer when crossing the platform for pinning. Faculty greeters will be in the Club Lounge to assist students with any questions as you complete your cards. 

The following includes more details:

• Arrival Time (Day of event): No later than 10:45 a.m. (doors open at 11 a.m.). Park in the front of the main entrance to the Giant Center. Your family may also park in front of the main entrance. Accessible parking is available. Students will enter the front of the Giant Center and will be directed to the right side of the Giant Center by “Faculty Greeters”. Please give all belongings (including purses and coats) to your family, as there is no place to store belongings.  Your family will be directed by the same greeters to the left side of the Giant Center to arena seating.  Your family will be handed a program for the event at the entrance. Programs for students will be on the students’ seats on the arena floor.  Students do not need to take a program at the entrance. Families of graduates are encouraged to arrive in time to enjoy the Jumbotron slide show showcasing the graduates.

• Giant Center Policies and Security: All attendees will pass through metal detection/wanding prior to entering the Giant Center. Please see this webpage for details.
  Items that are permitted:

  • Hand-held cameras
  • Bags that are 5 x 8 x 1 inches or smaller
  • A medical equipment bag and/or a parenting needs bag that is smaller than 14 x 14 x 6 inches
  • Handheld umbrellas

  Items that are not permitted:

  • Bags larger than 5 x 8 x 1 inches, unless it is a diaper or parenting needs bag
    Signs
  • Balloons, wrapped gifts or gift bags
  • Food or beverages
  • Golf umbrellas
• Accessible Accommodations: Please use the accessible accommodations request form for yourself or family members for pinning and Commencement.
• Jumbotron Slideshow (prior to event): Students will receive instructions to download a slide template, populate the slide with the information requested and to submit the completed slide to a dropbox on your D2L course. During the time guests arrive and prior to the pinning ceremony, the slideshow of graduates will play on the Jumbotron to showcase each of you. The picture included on the slide needs to be a headshot. Your slide can have no logos, foul language or messaging. This is a family friendly event, so please provide an image that is professional.
  • Photos must be tasteful with no profanity, alcohol, etc.
  • Same applies to the text on the template.
  • Don’t change the template, i.e. the wording, font, box size etc.
  • All photos, written reflections and other submitted content may be edited for clarity, formatting and alignment with the College’s standards.  
  • The College reserves the right to determine the appropriateness of any submission and may modify, replace or exclude content at its discretion prior to publication or display.
• Attire: Graduating students should wear any combination of black and white. This could be a black or white dress, a black skirt or black pants/slacks and a white shirt. Students who choose may also wear a tie and jacket. Dress should be professional interview attire. Students not complying can be refused participation. The floor of the arena will have a covering over the ice.  The arena can get cold as the ice is under the floor,  so please dress appropriately. Sharp stiletto heels can damage the floor and are not permitted.  Students will need to walk down the steps from the Club Lounge to the arena floor and will exit back up the steps and through the Club Lounge. Please choose appropriate footwear.
• Pinning: On each floor seat, there will be a burgundy ribbon/lanyard. Students are to pin their pin to the lanyard. When directed to the platform, keep your pinned lanyard in your hand along with your student information index card. Once on the platform, students will pause, and a faculty member from your campus will place the pinned lanyard over your head. Students will pose for the photographer to take a picture before departing the platform. Faculty Marshals will guide students to and from the platform.
  • We embrace the spirit of camaraderie and celebration! Hugs are encouraged in the lounge before and after the pinning ceremony. However, during the ceremony, we kindly request graduating students refrain from attempting to hug faculty on stage. This onstage moment is dedicated solely to you, the graduating student. We want you to fully immerse yourself in receiving the pin and experiencing the pride of this significant milestone.
• Programs: Programs will be prepared in advance of the event. Students who have met criteria for Alpha Delta Nu membership and student award recipients will be highlighted in the program.
• Departure: At the conclusion of the event, the platform party will exit the stage and students will be directed off the floor by Faculty Marshals. Students will exit back up the stairs and through the Club Lounge. No loitering inside is permitted. Weather permitting, students can gather outside for pictures. We must exit the building and premises so that the Commencement team can get organized for the Commencement ceremony.  Please leave the floor seating in tidy order and remind your guests to remove all waste from the arena seating.
• Between Pinning and Commencement: For students who are attending both events, please be sure to complete your participation form to attend Commencement by the deadline (April 13, 2026). You will receive a Commencement ceremony invitation via Hawkmail. If you miss the deadline, you will need to reach out to commencement@hacc.edu. The application to graduate and the invitation to attend Commencement are two different applications. Please check Hawkmail. There is NO application to attend the pinning ceremony. If you plan to attend both and would like to celebrate with your guests between the events, the following are a few restaurants in the Hershey area.  This is not a complete list.
  • The Chocolatier: 100 W Hershey Park Drive, Hershey, PA 17033
  • The Hotel Hershey: 100 Hotel Rd, Hershey, PA 17033 (offers several dining options))
  • Applebee’s: 1181 Mae Street, Hummelstown, PA 17036
  • Devon Seafood Grill: 27 Chocolate Ave, Hershey, PA 17033
  • Fenicci’s of Hershey: 102 W. Chocolate Ave, Hershey, PA 17033
  • The Chocolate Avenue Grill: 114 W. Chocolate Ave, Hershey, 17033
  • Troegs Brewing Company: 200 E. Hershey Park Drive, Hershey, 17033
  • Hershey Grill inside the Hershey Lodge: 325 University Drive,Hershey, PA 17033
  • Red Robin: 621 Park Ave, Hershey, PA 17033

We look forward to celebrating with you all in this joyous event! We are so grateful that you chose HACC, and we delight in sharing your success with each and every one of you.

The Department of Nursing and the Administrative Team for the College