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Commencement

Fall 2024 Commencement — Saturday, December 14

Baldwin Wallace University proudly celebrates the many accomplishments of its fall 2024 graduates.

BW will host fall commencement on Saturday, December 14. The conferring of degrees ceremony for students receiving a master's degree and students receiving a bachelor's degree will be held at 2:00 p.m., in Ursprung Gymnasium, Lou Higgins Recreation Center. The ceremony runs approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Livestream Video Replay of Commencement Ceremony

Watch a recording of the livestream from the Commencement ceremony.

Commencement Ceremony and Celebration Events

Parking

Almost all parking on campus is open on the day of commencement.

  • Accessible parking: The BW parking lot located immediately west of the Lou Higgins Recreation Center is designated for accessible parking to accommodate any graduates, families, or guests with a disability placard and those with limited mobility. Accessible parking is also available in every lot on campus.
  • No parking is allowed in fire zones.
  • Parking questions? Contact Parking Services at (440) 826-2410 if you have questions prior to the day of commencement. Contact Safety and Security at (440) 826-2336 if you have questions on the day of commencement.

Baccalaureate Service

10:00 a.m., Lindsay-Crossman Chapel, 56 Seminary St., Berea
Baccalaureate is a non-denominational service that gives thanks for the achievements of the graduates, celebrates the completion of their academic careers, and asks for God's blessings on their futures. Rev. C.J. Harkness will preside. Faculty and student leaders will conduct the ceremony. All students and families are invited to attend.

President's Reception

11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Strosacker Hall Ballroom, 125 Tressel St., Berea
The President's Reception welcomes all graduates and their families and guests to celebrate their achievements together. This informal event features light refreshments. Formal dress is not required, and reservations are not necessary. Caps and gowns are not worn at this time. (Individual academic departments may host receptions for graduating students and parents. Contact departments directly for information.)

Conferring of Degrees Ceremony

2:00 p.m., Ursprung Gymnasium, Lou Higgins Recreation Center, 136 E. Bagley Rd., Berea (Doors open at 12:30 p.m.)
The conferring of degrees ceremony for students receiving a master's degree and students receiving a bachelor's degree will be held at 2:00 p.m. The ceremony runs approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Arrival time for ceremony:

  • Graduates are to arrive early and report to the Lou Higgins Recreation Center by 1:15 p.m.
  • Guests should be seated in Ursprung Gymnasium by 1:45 p.m. Tickets are NOT required for guests at any of the fall 2024 commencement day events.

Accessible seating:

Accessible seating is available on the floor of Ursprung Gymnasium. Please see an usher for assistance.

Fall 2024 Commencement Speaker: Zarema Jaramillo '00

A prominent regulatory lawyer, Zarema Jaramillo '00 is the managing partner of the Washington, D.C., office of Lowenstein Sandler LLP, where she leads the firm's Antitrust/Competition practice. She represents clients ranging from start-ups to Fortune 100 companies in a broad range of antitrust matters. Read more.

Preparing for Commencement Day

Caps, Gowns and Hoods

Bachelor's degree students are required to wear a cap and gown. Master's degree students are required to wear a tam, hood and gown. (Note: Nursing graduates will receive their regalia through their department.)

Purchase Regalia

You can place your order for regalia in person at the Bookstore or online. Orders must be placed by Friday, December 6.

Pick Up Regalia

Those who order their regalia through the Bookstore, will receive an order confirmation email and an "order ready for pick up” email when your order is ready. The Bookstore order pick-up location is the lower level of Strosacker Hall. The deadline for pick up is before 4 p.m. on Friday, December 13. View Bookstore hours. Call the Bookstore at (440) 826-2205 with any questions.

Tickets

Tickets are NOT required for guests at any of the fall 2024 commencement day events.

Virtual Rehearsal and Procession Lineup

All graduates will receive email communications from the Marshal of Commencement to confirm their participation and provide information on arrival times, lineup and procession (including a rehearsal video that you will need to watch). Please look for emails from marshal@bw.edu the week before commencement. If you need special accommodations to participate in commencement, please notify the marshal. It is important that you watch the following rehearsal video to find out where, when and how to process into commencement.

After Commencement Day

Graduation Photos

BW has partnered with GradImages to provide graduate photos. All graduates will be directed to a photo station immediately after exiting the commencement stage and have a photo taken. For information about ordering photos, visit GradImages online, contact their customer service department at (800) 261-2576 or through email. Students who register with GradImages before Commencement Day at gradimages.com/preregistration can receive a 20% discount on their entire order.

Diploma Mailing

Once final grades are recorded (in January/February 2025), you will receive a mailing with your official diploma. If you have changed your address in the last year, please complete the request for change of record form. If you are having trouble accessing the form, or no longer have access to your BW login, address change requests can be emailed to registrar@bw.edu.

Future Commencement Dates*

Spring 2025: May 10
Fall 2025: December 13
Spring 2026: May 9
Fall 2026: December 12
Spring 2027: May 8
Fall 2027: December 11
Spring 2028: May 6
Fall 2028: December 9
Spring 2029: May 5

*Subject to change