Commencement

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. Please look for emails from marshal@bw.edu the weeks leading up to commencement. If you need special accommodations to participate in commencement, please notify the marshal.

Remember to watch this rehearsal video before commencement day:

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, and faculty and student leaders will conduct the ceremony. Associate professor Chisomo Selemani will be the speaker, and the title of her talk is “What Will You Build?" 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.)

White Rose Ceremony

12:00 p.m., Lindsay-Crossman Chapel, 56 Seminary St., Berea
The White Rose Ceremony is held annually during spring commencement weekend in memory of Philura Gould Baldwin. An oration is given by one of the selected participants, and a portion of the White Rose song is sung. A white rose serves as a memorial to the honoree.

Philura Gould Baldwin, 1886, was the granddaughter of John Baldwin, founder of Baldwin University. As an undergraduate, Philura collected books, cataloging them according to Dewey's new decimal system, to begin a library. The traditional colors of brown and gold, which carried over from Baldwin University, had been Philur's suggestion. Following her death from consumption at age 26, Philura's parents donated funds for a library that was dedicated in her memory in June 1894. The building still stands today as part of the Malicky Center.

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 typically runs less than two 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 required for guests at the commencement ceremony. View details for tickets.

Accessible seating:

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

Commencement Speaker

President-designate Lee Fisher will be the keynote speaker during the commencement ceremony. Already a welcomed and familiar face on campus, Fisher officially begins his role leading BW on July 1. Read more.

Livestream Video

Livestream video of the commencement ceremony will stream on this page for family and friends who are unable to attend. A video recording of the ceremony will also be posted on this page the week following commencement.