Commencement Speaker
Donna Hylton has been active in community service for over three decades. For 25 years, she was a member of the faculty of Middlesex Community College where she served as professor and Program Coordinator for the Computer Information Technology and Management Information Systems degree programs until her retirement as Professor Emerita in July 2022. During her tenure at MxCC, Donna started and served as the Faculty Advisor for the Computer Club, and founded the Technology Center, the club’s technical service-learning hub for the campus. She was also an inaugural faculty member of the Transitional Year Program that helps shepherd students to success in college. Donna’s passion for helping people from all walks of life discover their greatness and achieve success did not find expression only in her work at Middlesex Community College but is evident in other areas as well.
In 2002, Donna created Adventures in Learning, a free summer program that inspires children to get excited about learning. That initiative, which she continues to lead, has become Adventures in Learning STEM GEMS Camp which helps children discover the wonders of STEM.
In 2017, Donna took a sabbatical leave from MxCC to attack the problem of underrepresentation of women, girls, and people of color in STEM. Out of this sabbatical project, Donna founded STEAM Train, a non-profit organization that works to move generations of under resourced and underrepresented populations to careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, (STEM), and beyond. Today, Donna is grateful to serve as STEAM Train’s President/CEO.
Donna earned her undergraduate degree in Administrative Computer Systems from Hofstra University, and her master’s degree in Computer Information Technology from Central Connecticut State University. She has also earned a second master’s degree in Professional Counseling from Liberty University. She began her IT career in New York City before transitioning to Connecticut where she worked as a computer programmer for 12 years before beginning her teaching career in 1997.
Donna is married to Paul Hylton and they have four daughters, three granddaughters, and three sons-in-law. Together the Hyltons serve as pastors of Shiloh Christian Church, Middletown.
Student Singer, Speaker, & Poet
Student Poet
Mack Toomey is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, a graduate of the Connecticut General Assembly Legislative Internship program, and a senior at MXCC. He is graduating with an English Studies Degree and will be transferring to the University of Utah to study Writing and Rhetoric Studies. He hopes to one day use his education to write about politics as a columnist.
Student Singers
Briana Lynne Jump is a warm line operator, a mother to a rescue cat and a vocalist in her local church choir. She is graduating with an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts. She will be continuing her education and aspires to be a certified sound healer. She hopes that her education will help her to help others.
Katherine Dole is a senior at Middlesex Community College. She is graduating with a degree in General Studies and a certificate in entrepreneurship. She is planning to study physical therapy and vocal performance in the future.
“Middlesex has been a wonderful place to learn, and I have loved my time here.”
-Katherine Dole
Student Speaker
Katherine Tocto Quituisaca is a member of the Honor Program, Vice-president of the Beta Gamma Xi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa International honor society, and secretary of the student senate at Middlesex Community College. During her time at Middlesex, she has been involved in multiple clubs and organizations, such as the Organization of Latin American Students, the Math Club, and the Business Club, in which she has served in different levels of officer roles. She has also been involved in other leadership positions in the educational community, as a representative student of the foundation board of Middlesex, and representative student in the council of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, positions in which her role has been based on being a communication channel for students and their needs. She is graduating with a Liberal Arts and Science degree and has a second major in Business Administration. She plans to transfer to a 4-year institution to study Business Analytics and Managerial Economics, and minor in Mathematics or Actuarial Science.
Graduate Information
Diplomas and Certificates
Diplomas will be available immediately after graduation in Chapman Hall, room 808.
If graduation takes place at O.H. Platt High School, diplomas will be available immediately after the ceremony in the cafeteria. Summer completers — diploma/certificate(s) will not be available until September 2023.
Photographs
GradImages® will photograph all students with the chief executive officer as they receive their diplomas at the Commencement ceremony.
Their statement: GradImages® is proud to support one of the biggest moments in a graduate’s life: walking across the stage and into the next chapter. With over 40 years of experience, we understand the importance of this moment and the desire to preserve these memories for a lifetime. Finding graduate photos after the ceremony is easy. Visit www.GradImages.com to view and purchase custom photo products like prints, plaques, specialty gifts, and more. If there are any questions or concerns regarding the graduate’s photos, please contact the Customer Service Department at 1-800-261-2576, online at www.gradimages.com, or email ecc.giservice@gradimages.net. We have a large team of customer care representatives ready to help graduates and family members with anything they may need.
Faculty and Staff Information
Faculty and Staff are expected to be in Snow Hall on campus and robed by 5:30. In the event of rain, the ceremony will be moved indoors to O.H. Platt High School located at 220 Coe Avenue in Meriden, CT
For inclement weather – venue change: Notification will be sent to all via email and a posting will be placed on the main page of the college website (www.mxcc.edu) on Thursday, May 25 (the day of the ceremony) noting if the alternate (rain) location will be used. Staff and faculty are expected to arrive at the high school by 4:30 p.m., enter through the main door, and go to the hallway on the right before the grand staircase
Ceremony begins at 6:00 p.m. sharp.
Cap and Gown Pickup Days
Caps, Gowns, Tassels, Tickets, and Reader Cards
Graduates are invited to pick up their graduation packet which includes regalia, tickets, and Reader Cards during regular business hours in the Bookstore (which is located in Founders Hall) on May 22, 23, or 24. Students need to complete the Reader Cards and bring them to commencement. Reader Cards are used to announce the graduate’s name, degree(s) and/or certificate(s) awarded to the recipient. Tickets will be used at O.H. Platt High School if the ceremony is moved indoors due to rain.
Commencement Venue and Parking
The Middlesex Community College Commencement ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, May 25, 2023, at 6 p.m. on the east lawn of the campus, which is located at 100 Training Hill Road in Middletown. For individuals unable to attend, the event will be available through a livestream via Facebook.
Graduates are expected to be at Wheaton Hall in their regalia by 4:30 p.m. and line up according to their academic program by 5 p.m. Graduates will need to bring their completed Grad Reader Card (see Cap & Gown pickup tab) which is used to announce name and degree(s) or certificate(s) awarded to the recipient.
It is recommended that individuals wear flat-soled shoes as the event is outdoors on the east lawn which is sloped.
Seating for guests will begin at 5 p.m., and the ceremony begins at 6 p.m. sharp.
Parking
Parking is available on campus. Please follow the directions of security personnel.
Inclement Weather
In the event of rain, the ceremony will be moved to O.H. Platt High School located at 220 Coe Avenue in Meriden, CT. Notification will be sent to all graduates via e-mail and a posting will be placed on the main page of the college website (www.mxcc.edu) on Thursday, May 25 (the day of the ceremony) noting if the alternate (rain) location will be used.
In the event of rain, graduates will arrive at O. H. Platt High School, enter through the main doors and go to the grand staircase (hallway to the left of the auditorium). Graduates will need to bring a completed Grad Reader Card (see Cap & Gown pickup tab) and be dressed in their cap and gown. The Reader Cards are used to announce names and degree(s) or certificate(s) awarded to the recipient.
Parking is available for graduates and guests at Platt High School and across the street at Lincoln Middle School. When parking at Lincoln Middle School, a shuttle bus will bring attendees to the main entrance of Platt High School. Shuttles will be available before and after the ceremony.
Tickets and Guests
Tickets (given to students when picking up caps and gowns) will only be used in the event of inclement weather. Due to limited seating in the auditorium at O.H. Platt High School, each graduate will be given two tickets. Guests will enter through the main and must have a ticket to enter the auditorium. There will be no exceptions. Those without tickets may sit in overflow seating in the gymnasium where the event will be livestreamed.
Balloons
Balloons are not permitted in the building at O.H. Platt High School.
Recognition 2023
MxCC would like to thank Donna Crum, M.S., R.T., Program Director of the School of Radiologic Technology at Middlesex Hospital. For 14 years, Donna has worked closely with our Program Coordinator of Radiologic Technology and our college to ensure that our students and community partnership flourish. Donna has been an integral part of the MxCC family and has been awarded the “Forever with Us” certificate to acknowledge her dedication to our students, our program, and our community partnership.
Commencement 2023 Graduate Guide
The Middlesex Community College Commencement ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, May 25, 2023, at 6 p.m. on the east lawn of the campus, which is located at 100 Training Hill Road in Middletown. For those individuals unable to attend, the event will be available through a livestream via Facebook.
Alternate Location – Inclement Weather
In the event of rain, the ceremony will be moved indoors to O.H. Platt High School located at 220 Coe Avenue in Meriden, CT. Notification will be sent to all graduates via email and a posting will be placed on the main page of the college website (www.mxcc.edu) on Thursday, May 25 (the day of the ceremony) noting if the alternate (rain) location will be used. Graduates are expected to arrive at the high school by 4:30 p.m., enter through the main door, and go to the grand staircase (hallway to the left of the auditorium). They will need to bring their completed Grad Reader Card and be dressed in cap and gown to line up (with Reader Card in hand) according to their academic program by 5 p.m. Doors for guests will open at 5 p.m. The ceremony begins at 6 p.m. sharp. Parking is available for graduates and guests at Platt High School and at Lincoln Middle School located across the street. When parking at Lincoln Middle School, a shuttle bus will bring attendees to the main entrance of Platt High School. Shuttles will be available before and after the ceremony. Please note: Balloons are not permitted in O.H. Platt High School.
Caps, Gowns, Tassels, Tickets, and Reader Card Pick-up
Graduates are invited to pick up a graduation packet which includes regalia, tickets, and Reader Card during regular business hours in the Bookstore located in Founders Hall May 22, 23, and 24. Students need to complete the Reader Card and bring it to Commencement. A Reader Card is used to announce the graduate’s name, degree(s) and/or certificate(s) awarded to the recipient. Tickets will only be used at O.H. Platt High School if the ceremony is moved indoors due to rain.
Diplomas and Certificates
Diplomas will be available immediately after graduation in Chapman Hall, room 808. If graduation takes place at O.H. Platt High School, diplomas will be available immediately after the ceremony in the cafeteria. Summer completers – diploma/certificate(s) will not be available until September 2023.
Directions
For directions to the campus, use the following addresses in GPS-Middlesex Community College, 100 Training Hill Road, Middletown, or O.H. Platt High School, 220 Coe Avenue, Meriden. Information is also on the college website at https://mxcc.edu/learning-locations.
Line-up and Robing
Graduates, properly robed, should go to Wheaton Hall to line-up. Bring the completed Reader Card.
How To Properly Wear the Cap, also known as a Mortarboard: The inside of the cap will denote which part is worn in front. The top of the hat should be worn level on the head, horizontal to the ground. Undergraduate students should wear the tassel on the right side of their face until instructed during the graduation ceremony to move it to the left side.
Parking
Parking is available on campus. Please follow the directions of security personnel.
Photographs
GradImages® will be photographing all students with the Chief Executive Officer as they receive their diplomas at the Commencement Ceremony. Their statement: GradImages® is proud to support one of the biggest moments in a graduate’s life: walking across the stage and into the next chapter. With over 40 years of experience, we understand the importance of this moment and the desire to preserve these memories for a lifetime. Finding graduate photos after the ceremony is easy. Visit www.GradImages.com to view and purchase custom photo products like prints, plaques, specialty gifts, and more. If there are any questions or concerns regarding the graduate’s photos, please contact the Customer Service Department at 1-800-261-2576, online at www.gradimages.com, or email ecc.giservice@gradimages.net. We have a large team of customer care representatives ready to help graduates and family members with anything they may need.
Rehearsal
There will not be a rehearsal prior to the ceremony.
Tickets and Guests
Two tickets (given to students when picking up cap and gown) will be used only for O.H. Platt High School in the event of inclement weather. Due to limited seating in the auditorium, each graduate will be given two tickets for guests who will enter through the main doors. Each attendee must have a ticket to enter the auditorium. There will be no exceptions. Those without tickets may sit in overflow seating in the gymnasium where the event will be live streamed.
