To the Johnson College Graduating Class of 2020 (and their families),

Due to weather, the Johnson College Commencement Ceremony scheduled for August 4, 2020 is being postponed until Wednesday, August 5, 2020. The location of the ceremony will still be the Circle Drive-In, 1911 Scranton Carbondale Highway, Scranton and will still begin at dusk.

This has been a unique and trying semester for all of us, and this decision was made with the health and well-being of all members of our campus community and their loved ones in mind. We know this news leads to many associated questions, and we will share answers as they become available on the College’s website.

We also know this is unexpected news, especially for you, our 2020 graduates, and your loved ones. While the ceremony that culminates your hard work and dedication will be different this year, we want you to know that your accomplishments are absolutely impressive. It is important to note that even though we will not be having a formal commencement ceremony until August, you will be a graduate of Johnson College as of either May or August 2020, whichever date coincides with the completion of your degree requirements.

Our campus members are strong, adaptable, and dedicated to each other and to caring for their communities. We take comfort knowing that in these uncertain times, you, our graduates, are leading us into the future. We appreciate your understanding and commitment to join together as a Johnson College Community and as a nation to support our collective efforts to protect those most vulnerable to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Thank you,

Kellyn Williams, PhD
Chief Academic Officer

GRADUATION 2020

General Information

The College will be hosting its graduation ceremony on Wednesday, August 5 beginning at dusk at the Circle Drive-In Theater. Grad Finale will be held on July 27^th and 28^th on Johnson College’s campus.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is Grad Finale?
A. This event is held in two sessions to allow for all graduates to attend. Students will fulfill all obligations regarding the senior exit survey, financial aid, student business services, and the registrar. This is when students will receive caps, gowns, and commencement tickets.

Q. Wait, so there is a new date for 2020 graduation?
A. Yes! Due to weather the graduation ceremony has been moved from Tuesday, August 4 to Wednesday, August 5 at the Circle Drive-In Theater [1911 Scranton Carbondale Highway, Scranton]. We will be sending details to graduating students by email.

Q. Wait, so there is a new date for Awards Night?
A. No, awards will be given to students at Grad Finale. We will recognize your accomplishments at commencement.

Q. I paid the graduation petition fee. Will I get a refund if I do not attend the new graduation date?
A. No, the fee is not used for the ceremony. The graduation fee is non-refundable.

Q. Will I still receive my cap and gown?
A. Yes! If you ordered a cap and gown during Grad Application, they are in and will be distributed to students at Grad Finale.

Q. Can I keep my cap and gown?
A. Yes, you sure can. Once you receive it, it is yours to keep.

Q. When will I receive my actual diploma?
A. Students graduating in May 2020 and August 2020 should make an appointment with the Registrar Office to pick it up on campus. In the meantime, transcripts are available through our Registrar Office and can be used as education verification. https://johnson.edu/registrar

Q. If I wasn’t planning to walk in the May graduation ceremony, but I’d like to walk in the August ceremony, what do I do?
A. Be on the lookout for an email from the Registrar Office in July asking you if you would like to walk in the August ceremony.

Q. Can my parents, friends, and relatives attend the August graduation ceremony?
A. Yes. Check the commencement webpage as we get closer for more detailed information.

Q. Where will I park for the August graduation?
A. There is parking at the Circle Drive-In. Parking areas will be assigned closer to the date. Check the commencement webpage as we get closer for more detailed information.

Like most high school graduates, Carter Terysen wasn’t sure what the future might hold after he graduated from Honesdale High School in 2018. Two years later, after obtaining his associate degree in Carpentry and Cabinetmaking Technology from Johnson College, Carter has discovered that his career is quickly headed in the right direction.

The day after his last class at Johnson on May 8, Carter learned he was hired as a carpenter at Dakan Enterprises in Honesdale, Pa. He has been working at Dakan for several weeks and loves his new job. In addition to his own initiative and hard work, Carter credits the education and skills he obtained at Johnson for helping him obtain a great job in a field he loves.

Carter, who placed first in Skills USA College Division carpentry competition, particularly credits Todd Campbell ’82, director of Johnson’s Carpentry and Cabinetmaking Technology program for helping him refine his craft.
“Mr. Campbell was absolutely great. I’m using so much of what he taught me every single day. My supervisors were really impressed with how much I knew even though I’m just starting out,” he said.

“Carter was really a great student and it’s a pleasure to see him succeed,” Todd said. “He’s dedicated and extremely hard working.”

While jobs in many professions are difficult to find in the wake of COVID 19 pandemic, recent Johnson graduates such as Carter are taking advantage of the essential skills they have learned. Many are finding jobs in a variety fields such as manufacturing, electronics, welding, health sciences, and more, that are critical to the regional and national economy.

“I’m really glad I went to Johnson after high school. I feel like I’m in a great place in my life right now and I’m looking forward to the future,” Carter said.

Under normal circumstances, I would be welcoming you this morning to our Johnson College Open, our annual golf tournament, originally scheduled to take place today, at Pine Hills Country Club in Taylor. I appreciate your past support and how it has impacted the lives of our students.

As you realize, however, these are anything but normal times. Therefore, I’m sure it will come as little surprise that we are cancelling this year’s tournament due to the many restrictions in place surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Of course, we are disappointed that we will not be able to hold this year’s tournament which is always a wonderful time for everyone and, most importantly, raises much-needed funds for our Johnson College Presidential Scholarship fund. In lieu of the golf tournament you will still be able to support our Presidential Scholarship fund by participating in another special event, our Johnson College Day of Giving, which will conducted on August 18, 2020.

By participating, you will still have the opportunity to assist Johnson students who need your help to make their career dreams come true. Given the current circumstances, there has never been a more important time to support our students through the Presidential Scholarship fund. Our degrees turn into essential careers and ours students are the employees fueling our economy. They are supporting us through these difficult times, and now, we can show our support of them.

As you know, Johnson College students receive the education, training and skills needed in today’s essential industries – logistics and supply chain, transportation, manufacturing, and health care, among others — that are so critical in helping others and supporting our economy. The more you are able assist our students meet their educational goals, the more you will support our community in this unusual and critical time period, and in the months and years that follow.

We will be in touch with you soon with more information about our Day of Giving. As always, thank you for all you do for Johnson College, and our students.

Sincerely,
Katie Leonard, Ed.D.
President & CEO

President Honors students who have finished fall semester with a 3.90 GPA or higher

Katie Leonard, President & CEO of Johnson College, has announced the President’s List of students who have completed the Fall 2019 semester with a grade point average of 3.90 or higher. All students are from Pennsylvania.

Ilvin Carmona-Perez, Logistics & Supply Chain Management, Scranton

Dylan Harhut, Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Greenfield Township

Brian  Hill, Computer Information Technology, Scranton

Joshua Hinkley, Computer Information Technology, Sweet Valley

Regina McCaffery, Radiologic Technology, Pocono Summit

Joseph Minzak, Architectural Drafting & Design Technology, Falls

Christine Noldy, Radiologic Technology, Jessup

Joseph Stoffey, Computer Information Technology, Jessup

Kerri Wydeen, Radiologic Technology, Scott Township