HERSHEY, Pa. – More than 430 of the 808 students eligible to graduate in fall 2023 received their associate degrees, certificates or diplomas during the Commencement ceremony for HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, on Dec. 14, 2023.

Mary Tonge received an associate degree in political science and was selected as the student representative. She began her speech with a quote from Denzel Washington, who said, “Fall forward. Every failed experiment is one step closer to success.” During her time at HACC, Tonge said she and her peers “gained invaluable skills of advocating with boldness and fearlessness.” She added, “Knowing how to effectively express our needs, wants and desires while also considering the needs of those around us, we have been empowered to take risks that life has to offer.”

John J. “Ski” Sygielski, MBA, Ed.D., president and CEO of HACC, congratulated each graduating student on their hard-earned achievement.
“We are a better college because of the strong bonds that exist between our graduates. These bonds are ‘HACC proud’ here in Central Pennsylvania and across the globe,” Sygielski said.

Please visit HACC’s fall 2023 Commencement ceremony webpage to learn more about the Commencement speakers andview photos of the graduates.  

Photo Caption: HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, welcomed the College’s newest alumni during its Dec. 14, 2023, Commencement ceremony.

About HACC 
HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, is the first and largest of Pennsylvania’s 15 community colleges. HACC offers approximately 100 career and transfer associate degree, certificate and diploma programs to approximately 14,023 students. Also, the College serves students at its Gettysburg, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon and York campuses; through virtual learning; and via workforce development and continuing education training. For more information on how HACC is uniquely YOURS, visit hacc.edu. Also, follow us on Twitter (@HACC_info), follow us on Instagram (@HACC_edu), like us on Facebook (Facebook.com/HACC64) and use #HACCNews.