FREEPORT — The northwest Illinois community and friends of Highland Community College are invited to join the 2022 graduates and their families as they celebrate the 59th annual Commencement Ceremony at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 21, at Highland Community College, 2998 W. Pearl City Rd., Freeport.

The ceremony is outdoors on the Highland campus. Commencement will take place in the courtyard between the Marvin-Burt Liberal Arts Center and Natural Science Center. Guest parking is located in lot D on the south side of campus outside of the Natural Science Center/Ray and Betty Stamm Health Science Nursing Wing.

The commencement speaker is Michael Maher, a 1993 graduate of Highland, and a current sociology instructor at Spoon River College at the Macomb, Ill. campus.

Julia Wells, who will graduate Magna Cum Laude with the Class of 2022, will give the Student Commencement Speech. 

The college is expecting a large number of participating graduates, so, guest seating is limited and available in the order of arrival. 

In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the Larry F. Kahl Gymnasium located in the YMCA/Sports Center on Highland’s campus. Due to a large number of graduates, tickets are required to attend the ceremony if held in the YMCA/Sports Center.