Commencement

9:30 a.m., Commencement Procession
10:00 a.m., Commencement Exercises

12:00 p.m., President’s Reception Lunch on Chapin Lawn

Commencement begins with a formal academic procession. Three members of the Senior Class give brief speeches and honorary degrees are awarded. Hopkins Gate commencement 2016

Finally the College President awards a diploma to each senior. No tickets are necessary for outdoor Commencement in the Library Quad, though we do request each family limit the number of guests in the venue to six. Additional seating can be found in Chapin Hall. Guests will find hats, sunglasses, and a water bottle useful on a sunny morning.  Every effort will be made to hold the ceremony outdoors, even with a possibility of light rain. Guests should bring rain gear if the weather forecast includes rain.

For those who prefer to sit indoors, the ceremonies will be streamed live into Chapin Hall Auditorium. No tickets are required. This livestream will be made available on the College website as well.

The President will honor degree recipients at a lunch reception on Sunday, immediately following Commencement. Graduates and their guests are cordially invited to attend. Formal invitations will not be issued.

Rain Plans: In case of heavy rain or threat of lightning, the Chapel Bells will toll at 9 a.m. Sunday signaling that the ceremony will move to Lansing Chapman Ice Rink for indoor Commencement. Tickets are required for admission to Lansing Chapman. (Seniors will be given 4 tickets automatically.) Additional seating will be available on a first come basis in Chandler Gymnasium where the ceremony will be livestreamed on a large screen. Tickets are not required for seating in Chandler Gymnasium.  In the case of rain, the President’s Reception will be held in Towne Field House.

Notes: Indoor Commencement is not open to the public.  Due to code restrictions, each senior is only given four tickets.