RIVERSIDE, Calif. (CNS) — Graduation ceremonies for the Riverside Community College District's three colleges will be in-person Friday — for the first time since 2019 — with nearly 6,400 students slated to receive certificates or degrees.

"Graduation is the highlight of the education journey," RCCD Chancellor Wolde-Ab Isaac said. "And the journey has not been easy for the last three graduating classes. These graduates learned a number of lessons over the last three years, the biggest perhaps being how to make adjustments in order to stay the course."

To make up for the missed celebrations during the coronavirus public health lockdowns, officials are inviting all of the graduates from 2020 and 2021 to take part in ceremonies alongside the 2022 graduating classes. It was unclear how many intended to respond to the invitation.

At Moreno Valley College, 1,648 students comprise the 2022 graduating class, 501 of whom received "distinction honors" for earning grade point averages of 3.3 or higher.

At Norco College, 1,296 students are in the graduating class, 637 of whom earned GPAs that landed them honors, according to officials.

At Riverside City College, the largest of the three campuses, 3,413 students are in line for degrees or certificates, with 1,270 on the honor roll.

The graduating class at Riverside City College includes a 16-year-old as well as 65 military veterans, a district official said.

"I and the Board of Trustees, our college administrators, faculty and professional staff are particularly proud of the graduating classes represented this year at the commencement ceremonies," Isaac said. "My hope is that each graduate will realize what their accomplishment means to themselves, their families and their respective communities."