Mid-Cycle Students

January 2023

To mid-cycle 23.5 students and families,

The college has revised its policy around participation in Commencement beginning  in June, 2023. Contrary to what we explained in our November message (that you would be invited to the ceremony but not called up on stage to receive a diploma), we are now inviting students who are up to 5 courses short (with some exceptions) to process and cross the stage with their class. If you’re unclear about your own status in this regard, please consult the new policy.

You will also be invited to participate fully in Commencement activities in June of 2024. For both Commencement 2023 and 2024, you will be asked by the Registrar’s Office whether or not you plan to attend.  Your name will be read at both ceremonies (unless you specifically request we not do so).

While you may participate in both Commencements, you may only attend the Mt. Hope event during Senior Week once. (Senior Week is organized by the Office of Campus Life.)  In addition, for students on financial aid, we can only offer the family lodging assistance one time.e

As a result of this change in policy, we no longer plan to hold a Winter Celebration Ceremony in December of 2023.

We’re happy to answer any questions you might have at college_marshal​@williams​.edu, and we greatly look forward to celebrating your accomplishments in ways that work best for you and your loved ones.

Please note: We are relying on digital communication with you at this time. We will forward this email communication to your families, but we realize not all families have registered their email addresses with the college. If you could please ensure your friends and family have this information, that would be greatly appreciated.

Lee Park
College Marshal and William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Chemistry
Department of Chemistry

Carrie Greene
Director of Commencement and Academic Events

Letter from the College Marshal on Nov 7, 2022

———-

Mid-Cycle 2023.5 students and families:

We have had some questions regarding opportunities for families of mid-cycle 23.5 students to gather. It is really up to the family and their student to determine what makes the most sense for you, but we lay out the options here.

1. In June 2023, Seniors who are mid-cycle 23.5 will be invited to process in cap and gown as a group, they will sit as a group, and they will be recognized from the stage as a group during the Commencement Ceremony.
2. In December 2023, there will be a Winter Celebration ceremony and reception (on a date yet to be determined) for any of the 23.5 mid-cycle seniors and their guests who would like to gather to celebrate nearing the end of their time at Williams. This will be an informal ceremony that is totally optional for students and families, but one that we hope will be fun for all.
3. Mid-cycle 23.5 seniors who fulfill their degree requirements by the end of either the fall 2023 semester or Winter Study 2024 term will be invited to cross the stage to receive their diplomas in June of 2024. If they choose not to attend, their diplomas will be mailed to them.

___________________________________

Mid-Cycle 2022.5 Seniors:

We are pleased to invite you and your guests to a celebration of your time at Williams at 10 am on Sunday, December 11, 2022. This gathering will begin with a brief ceremony on the MainStage that will include remarks from President Mandel and Dean Long and others (see below). The ceremony will not involve cap and gown, but you will be called across the stage. The ceremony will be followed by a brunch reception for you and your guests in the MainStage Lobby.

Note: Visitors are expected to be fully vaccinated. Masks will be required when not eating.

Please fill out this form by October 14, so we can get a sense of your plans for attendance, your likely guest count, and your thoughts about speakers and performers. We will not be contacting your families directly, so please check with them before submitting the form. (We’ll ask for a final headcount in late November.)

We look forward to seeing you on December 11. If you have any questions about this event, please direct them to the College Marshal’s Office. If you have questions about travel/lodging support, please contact Dean Rachel Bukanc.

We remind you again that you will also be welcome to participate in the June 2023 Commencement ceremony.

Lee Park (she/hers)

College Marshal

Friday, Sept 30, 2022

Class of 22.5:

We are pleased to invite you and your guests to a Winter Celebration Ceremony on Sunday, December 11, 2022, at the ’62 Center for Theatre & Dance.  This celebration is for students who expect to fulfill their degree requirements at the end of fall 2022 term or Winter Study 2023. We will send a formal invitation closer to the date.

Your official graduation will take place on Sunday, June 4, 2023. You will be invited to cross the stage and receive your degree at that time. You are welcome to participate in all the Commencement Weekend 2023  activities. In addition,  you’ll be able to participate in all the Senior Week activities in 2023 (with the exception of Mount Hope, if you attended in 2022.)

• Ivy Exercises on Saturday June 3, 2023
•  Baccalaureate  on Saturday June 3, 2023
• Commencement  on Sunday June 4, 2023