Preparing to Graduate

Student Guide to Commencement

Congratulations Class of 2026! Below is everything you need to know for your big moment.

Commencement Related Events

Students facing stage in Norton Centre for Baccalaureate
Wednesday, May 13
  • Cap and Gown pickup, 10:30am - 3:00pm in the Ewen Room. (students only)
Wednesday, May 20
  • Senior Week Check-in, 10:00am – 2:00pm, Ewen Room
  • Senior Toast, 7:30-9:00pm. (students only), Craik House
Thursday, May 21
  • Commencement Rehearsal and Class Photo, Andy Frye Stadium, TBD
  • Casino Night, TBD
Saturday, May 23
  • Phi Beta Kappa Initiation (Invitation only), 10:00am, Weisiger Theatre
  • Baccalaureate Line up, 3:30pm, Old Centre (rain plan: Hazelrigg Gymnasium), (Graduates wear regalia)
  • Baccalaureate Service, 4:00pm (doors open at 3:00pm), Newlin Hall, General admission, no ticket needed
  • Dinner on the Lawn, 5:00pm, Roush Campus Center and Lawn, Advance ticket purchase required for family and guests. Graduates eat free, no ticket required.
  • Honor Walk, 7:00pm, Old Centre lawn, General admission, no ticket needed
Sunday, May 24
  • Commencement Line up, 9:00am, Old Centre lawn (rain plan: Hazelrigg Gymnasium)
  • Commencement Ceremony, 10:00am, (gates open at 8:30am ), Andy Frye Stadium (inclement weather plan: Newlin Hall, each graduate will have 4 tickets), General admission, no ticket needed
  • Majors Reception, 12:00pm, Crounse Hall Lawn
  • Farewell Lunch, 12:30pm, Roush Campus Center and lawn, 12:30pm. Advance ticket purchase required for family and guests. Graduates eat free, no ticket required
  • Residence Halls close, 6:00pm

 

Senior Fair

Centre College provides a cap and gown for each graduate. Graduates will place their order on February 24 from 10:00am - 5:00pm. A Josten’s representative will be on hand if graduates are interested in ordering any other Commencement items, such as announcements or a custom stole. A Centre Bookstore representative will also be on hand to sell Centre’s gold stoles.

In addition to ordering their cap and gown, graduates will be asked to provide how many guests they anticipate for Commencement Weekend, as well as to request any needed accessible seats or parking passes.

 

Senior Exit Survey

All graduating seniors are required to complete the Senior Exit Survey prior to cap and gown pick-up. 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 2026 in early spring 2026 and must be completed in order to pick up caps and gowns. If you do not receive the Senior Exit Survey link email by mid-April, please contact the Academic Affairs office.
 

Commencement Participation

Four students holding graduation certificates and smiling at photographer

Students eligible for graduation on Sunday, May 24 must formally complete all academic and degree requirements by one of the following dates: December 12, 2025,  January 27, 2026, or May 20, 2026.

Students who complete their degree requirements in December or January will participate in and receive their degrees at the May ceremony.

Students are required to participate in the May 24 ceremony. If students do not plan to participate in person, approval must be granted from the Academic Affairs Office through the Registrar.

Students with questions about their status or who wish to graduate in absentia must contact the Registrar office as soon as possible.

The last date to request in absentia graduation or to request a name other than a graduate’s legal name is April 15, 2026.

IN ABSENTIA APPROVAL AND NAME PREFERENCE REQUEST

Clearing Financial Debts and Other Obligations

Any balance due on a student’s account must be paid in full for graduates to participate in Commencement and receive a diploma. Graduates with a financial hold on their account will not be able to pick up their regalia until the account is cleared. Make your final payment as early in April as possible to confirm your participation in Commencement. These charges include Tuition/Room and Board, library fines or overdue items, parking tickets, and other campus charges.

ACCOUNT STATUS QUESTIONS

Materials, Registration, and Tickets

Register for Senior Toast and Honor Walk 

Watch your email in mid-April 2026 for information about registering for these two events.

Receive Commencement Materials

Wednesday, May 13, 2026, Ewen Room -- Graduates will receive their cap and gown, Honor Walk Talent, Commencement Inclement Weather tickets, and any requested accessible tickets/passes at this time. Custom stoles ordered through Jostens will be shipped directly to the address supplied when the order was placed.

Purchase Meal Tickets

No later than May 11, 2026, Advance ticket purchase required for family and guests. Seniors eat free, no ticket required.

Purchase meal tickets

Senior Week Wristbands

Wednesday, May 20, 2026, Wristbands will be distributed.

Commencement Information