Centre students walking on stage at commencement ceremony

Commencement Headquarters

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

Welcome to Centre’s 2024 Commencement Headquarters. Below you will find a complete schedule of events, information about ticketing and simulcasts, Baccalaureate and Commencement attire, event photography, Senior checklist, and other logistical information. We look forward to celebrating this milestone with you all! Congratulations to the Class of 2024!

Commencement Weekend Schedule

Saturday, May 18

4:00 p.m.
Baccalaureate Ceremony, Newlin Hall, Norton Center for the Arts
General Admission.

5:00 p.m.
Family Picnic, Susie Miller Roush Lawn
Tickets required: $18 per adult, $12 per child under 12, Free for children under 3.

7:00 p.m.
Honor Walk, Behind Old Centre
Registration required.

Sunday, May 19

10:00 a.m.
Commencement Ceremony, Newlin Hall, Norton Center for the Arts
Tickets required: Limit 4 per student.
*Overflow live-stream viewing available in Weisiger Theatre for those without tickets.

12:00 p.m.
Commencement Lunch, Susie Miller Roush Lawn
Tickets required: $15 per person, Free for children under 3.

Guest Registration and Tickets

Graduating seniors will register their guests (parents, families, and friends) for Commencement ceremony tickets. Guests should register themselves for other Commencement Weekend events (Honor Walk, Family Picnic, and Commencement Lunch).

Register guests for Commencement Weekend events

Senior Checklist

The Registrar′s Office will review and approve each student′s academic record. Once approved, potential graduates are presented to the faculty having completed requirements for a degree.

Students eligible for graduation on Sunday, May 19 must formally complete all academic and degree requirements by one of the following dates—December 13, 2023, January 25, 2024, or May 15, 2024—to be eligible to participate in the ceremony and receive their diploma. Students who complete degree requirements in December and January will officially graduate and be awarded a diploma at the May ceremony. If members of the Class of 2024 have any questions about their academic record, they should contact the Registrar′s Office as soon as possible.

Contacting the Registrar′s Office: 
Jacob Johnson
Registrar
jacob.johnson@centre.edu
859.238.5361 

Students are required to participate in the May 19 ceremony. If students do not plan to participate in person, approval must be granted from the Academic Affairs Office. Please contact Registrar Jacob Johnson (jacob.johnson@centre.edu) to make a formal request to graduate in absentia no later than April 15, 2024.

For students with an account balance, bills are sent at the beginning of each month. The balance due on the bill must be paid in full for Seniors to participate in Commencement Weekend and receive a diploma. Make your payment as early in April as possible to confirm your participation in graduation. Any additional fines, charges, or fees on a student account must be paid to be cleared for graduation. Charges accrued after May 1st will be billed to the student in June, following Commencement.

Financial charges to consider: 
  • Tuition/Room and Board  
  • Library fines and overdue or lost items 
  • Parking tickets  
  • Wellness Center charges 
  • Fines from DPS  
  • Bookstore charges 
  • Residence hall damage charges

Contacting the Finance Office: 
rita.rogers@centre.edu
859.238.5451

Residence Halls will close at 6:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 19. Graduates must be completely moved out of their residence hall at that time. Contact your Resident Assistant to find out about checkout and key return.

Senior Exit Survey

All graduating seniors are required to complete the Senior Exit Survey prior to cap and gown pick-up on May 15, 2024. The survey will likely take about 30 minutes to complete. This information will serve as a tool to provide feedback on your Centre Experience and share your new contact information in addition to future plans. The Senior Exit Survey link will be emailed to the Class of 2024 on April 1, and must be completed in order to pick up caps and gowns. If you do not receive the Senior Exit Survey link email, please contact the Academic Affairs office.

Attending Commencement Weekend

For parents and family who plan to attend Commencement Weekend, here are a few important links to help you get familiar 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

Looking for a place to stay for the weekend? Visit Danville has you covered with a comprehensive listing of hotels, bed and breakfasts, and short term rentals.

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 Danville provides a listing of restaurants, eateries, bakeries, coffee shops, and nightlife spots in the community.

Helpful Weekend Tips

Baccalaureate is a Centre tradition dating back to the College’s Presbyterian heritage. Now drawing from the wider diversity of traditions that characterize the Centre community, the ceremony of reflection and challenge inspires graduates spiritually on their journey forward. This ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at 4:00pm in Newlin Hall, Norton Center for the Arts.

The Honor Walk Ceremony was born in 2003 with Centre's 20th President, John A. Roush. Each year on the eve of Commencement the senior class gathers at Old Centre to honor those who had the most profound impact on their Centre Experience.

If your Senior is participating in Honor Walk, make sure they are seated no later than 6:45 PM in front of Old Centre. Seniors and honorees will sit together on the Walnut Street (left) side of Old Centre. Other guests should sit on the Main Street (right) side. The first row has reserved seating for guests needing special assistance. Seating at this ceremony is first come, first serve.

Kentucky weather in May is typically sunny, very hot, and humid. Please plan accordingly by checking the most recent weather forecast. Most guests wear dressy casual attire throughout the weekend. It is important to be comfortable, wear comfortable shoes, and bring a hat and umbrella! Guest seating for the Honor Walk Ceremony and weekend meals takes place outside.

Seating inside Newlin Hall is limited to up to 4 tickets per Senior. Guests who do not have tickets inside Newlin Hall for the Commencement Ceremony are invited to join us in Weisiger Theater to view the simulcast. Remember, anyone can view the Baccalaureate and Commencement ceremonies from a mobile device. Please direct your family and friends to this page to watch the live-stream! 

Graduate receiving diploma on stage during commencement

Capture the Moment

Photography

Professional photographer, Kirk Schlea, will capture your graduate’s photo when they receive their diploma so you can enjoy the moment. These and all Commencement Weekend images can be viewed and purchased online by clicking the link below. Once on the website, click on Events and select Centre Honor Walk or Centre Commencement from the drop down. The photo lab will print and send purchased photos.

A lawn with a 2024 Centre graduate yard sign

Class of 2024

Yard Sign

Display your accomplishment as a Centre graduate! Download the official class yard sign art and send to your local sign printer. 18"w x 24"h.

Cap and Gown

multiple students leaning in for a selfie photo in graduation attire

Jostens provides custom caps and gowns for Centre College graduates at no cost to families. Cap and gown orders ship directly to Centre College for distribution on campus during Senior Week. To purchase custom stoles, announcements, jewelry, and additional Commencement accessories, click the button below and select Centre College as your school. These items will ship directly to the purchaser. The deadline to purchase custom stoles is March 29, 2024.

Order additional Commencement items

Commencement Regalia

Centre pays for your cap and gown. You may also purchase a customized stole from Jostens, choosing from a selection of background colors. Stoles may be customized with College approved ornamentation. Alternative stole ornamentation may be requested with required application.

This policy specifies the criteria and procedures for student use of regalia (cap and gown) as well as other symbols of distinction or ornamentation at Centre College Commencement exercises. The College recognizes the importance of stoles in symbolizing academic achievement, participation in college activities, and celebration of identity. 

Centre pays for your cap and gown.  For modest extra cost, you may purchase a customized stole from the vendor.  You may choose among four background color options for your stole, and then customize it with a variety of student club, organization name, varsity athletic team, scholarship cohort, and identity marker seals and logos. To complete your custom stole, visit the Jostens website. Enter Centre College in the Find My School search. From the landing page, select Personalized Stoles and build your stole. Custom stoles will be delivered to the customer. Complete your order no later than March 29 to ensure on-time delivery.

Custom Stole Guidelines

If the stole options described above do not include a Centre affiliation group or social identity marker or do not adequately represent that affiliation group or social identity, permission may be requested to wear an alternative or additional stole or ornamentation.  Centre affiliation refers to scholarship groups, affinity groups, academic societies or similar. Social identity refers to ability/disability, ethnicity, faith background, gender identity, national origin, race, and sexual orientation.

Permission requests are submitted to the Commencement Committee composed of fellow seniors, administrators, and faculty and staff members. The student or applying organization will be responsible for the cost of any such regalia. Your application must be submitted for review by March 15, 2024.

Commencement Regalia Application

NOTE: All adornments must be school-approved and must not disrupt the formality of the occasion. No adornment may contain vulgar language or offensive images, draw undue attention to an individual person or group that would detract from the occasion, or include other inappropriate content. We believe that these guidelines are necessary to ensure that our commencement ceremonies are respectful and dignified. We also understand that our students have the right to express themselves, and we hope that you will use this opportunity to personalize your graduation regalia in a tasteful and appropriate manner.  Students not in compliance with the requirements of this policy may be asked to remove and/or conceal any unapproved regalia adornment.

Commencement Information

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Commencement Coordinator.