Planning for your Graduation Day

Graduation ceremonies feature some of Cornell's finest traditions. This page includes some important Baccalaureate and Commencement information to assist you in planning an exciting and memorable day for you and your family. 

The Ceremony:  Details about the Baccalaureate Service and Commencement Ceremony will be distributed to you in May.  The academic procession for Baccalaureate will form in front of Old Sem at 8:30 a.m., Saturday, May 30; the service will begin at 9:00 a.m.  Students will assemble in the basketball gym of the Small Multi Sports Center at 12:45 p.m., Saturday, May 30 for Commencement; the ceremony will begin at 1:30 p.m. Seating for persons with disabilities will be available at both Baccalaureate and Commencement and will be clearly marked.

Cap & Gown: Purchase your Cap and Gown at Senior Day on the Orange Carpet from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. March 20th!  If you are no longer on campus contact the Cornell Bookstore at 319-895-4378 or go on line at www.herffjones.com/college/graduation.

Senior and Faculty Speaker selection: One tradition is for the senior class to select the Faculty and Senior Speakers. Seniors may make their nominations on Senior Day, March 20 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Orange Carpet.    Final election from the top five nominees will be conducted during affinity seating sign up on April 8, 9, 10 at the Mortar Board table in The Commons during lunch and dinner.

Affinity Seating. Cornell seniors have the opportunity to sit with close friends from their class during the Commencement ceremony. To sign up for your seat, visit the Mortar Board table in The Commons during lunch and dinner (lunch only on April 10), on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday, April 8, 9, and 10.  Sign your name as you want it read aloud and include your ID number (the ID number is for reference only and will not appear on the program insert).  You may reserve places for friends if they have asked you to do so and have supplied their ID numbers.

Alternative Sign Up: The sign-up sheet will also be available in the Dean of Students Office in Old Sem on April 8 - 10 from 8:00 - 10:45 a.m. and 1:00 - 4:30 p.m., and the following week from 8:00 a.m. - noon and 1:00 - 4:30 p.m.  Seniors not on campus may sign up by calling (319) 895-4234, 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. or mail to: mlong@cornellcollege.edu. If you are unable to sign up, we will place your name on the seating chart.  No one will be forgotten! After May 1st, seating arrangements cannot be changed. No exceptions.

Reading of the Names: Dean Carlson will read your name as you submitted it on the seating chart.  If, for example, at your senior conference you indicated to the Registrar that you wished your name to be printed on your diploma and in the Commencement program as Elizabeth Catherine Smith, but you sign the seating chart as Betsy Kate Smith, your name will be read as "Betsy Kate Smith" even though your diploma reads "Elizabeth Catherine Smith."  If you are asking a friend to sign up for you, please make sure your friend knows how you wish your name to be read by the Dean and how to spell your name.  It is wise to write out the information so your friend may refer to it when signing the seating chart.

 If you have any questions about Commencement Weekend schedules and procedures, please feel free to call or stop by the Dean of Students Office on the first floor of Old Sem, 895-4234.

Print version of this information and schedule of events available here.