Full List of Events

9:30am Line up on Waterman Street by Faunce Arch

Commencement Procession 

The Commencement Procession is a joyous celebration. Candidates for degrees march across College Green and through the Van Wickle Gates, which are opened only twice each year. Undergraduate alumni who have returned for Reunion march with their classes. Once the last person is through the Van Wickle Gates, the Procession inverts and undergraduates continue down College Street with each participant applauding the others; graduate and medical students also process to their respective ceremony locations, with participants and spectators applauding the graduates. Graduates should wear full regalia (cap and gown).

Parents, relatives and friends of seniors are strongly advised to find seats on College Green during the opening Procession, where they can view the livestream of the Procession. The Procession is made up of approximately 7,000 participants who line the route, making photography and lines of sight challenging for guests.

10:30-12:30pm Pembroke Field

Class of 2024 Doctoral Commencement Ceremony

Doctoral students process to Pembroke Field for the Doctoral Ceremony. The Doctoral Ceremony celebrates the academic achievements of Ph.D. graduates and includes an invocation, student speaker, awards presentation, conferral of degrees and benediction. Both the Procession and Doctoral Ceremony are available to view via livestream.  

12:30-2:00pm McKinney Conference Room, 111 Thayer Street 3rd floor

Ph.D. Departmental Celebration Lunch

Lunch will be available starting at noon for graduating Political Science Ph.D.'s, their family and faculty. Come over when the Doctoral Ceremony finishes.  There is no need to rush. There will be plenty of time to relax and celebrate.

12:15pm First Baptist Church

Class of 2024 College Commencement Ceremony

The senior class assembles on the lawn of the First Baptist Church in America for the official conferral of undergraduate degrees at the College ceremony. After the ceremony ends, the seniors walk up the hill and take seats on College Green for the University Ceremony. Family and friends should remain on College Green during the College ceremony, where large screens offer a continuous view of the proceedings. 

1:15pm College Green

Class of 2024 University Commencement Ceremony

Undergraduate, graduate and medical students unite on College Green for this ceremony. President Christina H. Paxson presides, senior orations are delivered and honorary and symbolic degrees are awarded. 

2:30-3:30pm Next to the Circle Dance sculpture by American artist Tom Friedman on the South Walk between Angell and Waterman Streets

Class of 2024 Political Science Department Ceremony

All degrees are symbolically conferred during the University Ceremony. Separate departmental ceremonies for each academic department follow the main ceremony and provide a more intimate atmosphere for families and graduates. Political Science also welcomes graduate students. No tickets required.

A reception will follow immediately after the ceremony. 3:30-4:15pm