Commencement Information

This is your one-stop shop for all things Commencement at Centre—from schedules to live streams to accommodations.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026

Welcome to Centre College’s 2026 Commencement Headquarters. Below you will find a schedule of events and the key information needed to plan. If you have additional questions, please contact Krista Rinehart, Executive Director of Alumni & Family Engagement.

We look forward to celebrating this milestone with you!

FAMILIES: Have you secured your Family Meal Tickets? Pre-purchase is required for both Saturday's dinner and Sunday's lunch for all family members and guests. We cannot guarantee service without a ticket. Purchase tickets here! (Graduates eat free — no ticket needed)

LIVE STREAM LINKS

Baccalaureate

Commencement

Students wearing caps & gowns walking in front of the library

Senior Information

For the Class of 2026

Find out where you need to go and everything to know for participating in Commencement.

More information for graduates

Commencement 2026 Schedule

Phi Beta Kappa Initiation
  • Saturday, May 23, 2026, 10:00am, Weisiger Theatre
  • Invitation only
Baccalaureate
  • Saturday, May 23, 2026 at 4:00pm, Newlin Hall
  • Livestream Link
Dinner on the Lawn
Honor Walk
  • Saturday, May 23, 2026 at 7:00pm on Old Centre lawn
Commencement
  •  Sunday, May 24, 2026 at 10:00am Andy Frye Stadium (Gates open at 8:30am)
  • Livestream Link
Majors Reception
  • Sunday, May 24, 2026 at 12:00pm, Crounse Hall Lawn
Farewell Lunch

 

Ticketing

All Commencement Weekend events will be general admission seating. The only tickets issued will be accessible seating requests for Baccalaureate and severe weather tickets for Commencement. In the event Commencement is moved inside Newlin Hall due to severe weather each graduate will receive four (4) tickets when they pick up their cap and gown.

We will survey graduates at Senior Fair on February 24 from 10:00am - 5:00pm, when they order their regalia, to collect expected guest totals. Please help your student provide an estimated guest count to assist with our planning. Students will also be able to request accessible tickets for Baccalaureate and accessible parking passes on this date.

Livestream

Simulcast viewing of the Commencement ceremony will be available in Weisiger Theatre. A livestream link will also be available at the top of this page for viewing from any location.

Meal Tickets

Families and friends may purchase tickets for Saturday and Sunday Commencement meals. Graduates eat for free and do NOT need a ticket.

Purchase Meal Tickets 

 

group of students in caps & gowns smiling at photographer at graduation

Photography

Professional photographer, Kirk Schlea, will capture each graduate’s photo when they receive their diploma. These and other Commencement Weekend images can be viewed and purchased online by clicking on the link below. Once on the website, click “Events” and then select the Centre College event of your choice.

Order photography

Attending Commencement Weekend

For out-of-town guests planning to attend Commencement Weekend, follow these links for important information to familiarize yourself with campus and the Danville community.
Section of an illustrated map of campus focusing on parking and Admission office locations

Where to Go

View and download a detailed campus map with labeled parking areas available for Commencement family and guests.

A double bed with green and white covering and pillows in a white room

Where to Stay

There are a variety of private rentals and hotels available in the Danville-Boyle County area. Accommodations will fill up quickly, so please be sure to make a reservation.

Close up of grilled chicken and vegetables

Where to Eat

Danville has a variety of local and chain restaurant dining options to choose from. Visit this link for a listing of restaurants, eateries, bakeries, coffee shops, and nightlife spots in the community.

FAQs

Graduates typically wear dressy casual attire for all weekend ceremonies and will wear their regalia during Baccalaureate and Commencement ceremonies. Most events are outside, please plan accordingly. Kentucky weather in May is typically sunny, hot, and humid. Occasional rain showers may occur. Outside festivities will only move indoors in the event of hazardous conditions. 

Please note: pointy-heeled shoes are not permitted on the track and turf surfaces of Andy Frye Stadium.

In the event of hazardous weather, Honor Walk and/or Commencement will be held in Newlin Hall. Honor Walk will remain a general admission event. If Commencement is moved indoors, each graduate will receive four (4) tickets inside Newlin Hall. Overflow seating for livestream viewing will be available in Weisiger and Vahlkamp Theatres with general admission seating.

Students will be notified of venue changes via text message and email. Family members who wish to be included on text notifications may sign up for alerts here until May 1, 2026.

To help ensure that everyone can enjoy and celebrate this special day, please note that certain items are not permitted at Commencement. These include confetti, champagne, balloons, pointy-heeled shoes, posters or signs, noisemakers, bullhorns or other amplifying devices, tripods, drones, and umbrellas.

If the weather is uncertain, we encourage guests to plan ahead with rain jackets or ponchos rather than umbrellas, which can block the view of others.

Families may park in all available lots during Commencement weekend. Accessible parking passes are available for the lot next Champions Hall. Graduates will be able to request parking passes at Senior Fair on February 24.

Commencement Information