Dominica State College moves graduation ceremony to morning due to weather forecast

The Dominica State College (DSC) has announced a change to its highly-anticipated commencement ceremony originally scheduled for the afternoon of Thursday, July 3rd. Due to a forecasted tropical wave expected to affect the island, the ceremony will now begin at 9:30 a.m. at Windsor Park Sports Stadium.

Officer-in-Charge, Trudy Christian, explained during an interview on Q95 Radio, that the decision was based on guidance from the Dominica Meteorological Service, which has projected deteriorating weather conditions by Thursday afternoon.

“In an abundance of caution,” Christian stated, “we’ve pushed the ceremony forward to the morning. The weather in Dominica can be unpredictable, and the safety and comfort of our students, guests, and staff are paramount.”

The ceremony, originally set for 2:30 p.m., is expected to draw over 300 graduates along with guests from across the island. This large turnout prompted the college to consider travel logistics in addition to weather concerns.

The updated schedule for the Dominica State College graduation ceremony is as follows: The ceremony will commence promptly at 9:30 a.m., with all guests expected to be seated by 9:00 a.m. Graduates are asked to check in by 8:30 a.m. to ensure a smooth start to the event. Additionally, all media houses covering the ceremony should be in position by 9:00 a.m. to capture the celebration.

Christian acknowledged that the earlier start time may pose a challenge, especially for students preparing for this momentous occasion, but emphasized the importance of professionalism and punctuality.

The college has expressed its sincere apologies for any inconvenience the change may cause and thanked the public for its understanding and support.