Commencement

Sent on behalf of the Commencement Committee

After careful consideration, the commencement committee, with the approval of senior team, is announcing the following adjustments to the May 2025 commencement ceremonies. We hope these changes will enhance the experience for both graduates and their guests: 

Separate ceremonies for undergraduate and graduate students 

• Commencement will now be held as two separate events. This change is intended to provide a more focused and personalized ceremony for each group. 
• By splitting the ceremonies, we anticipate a shorter duration, ensuring that families and graduates do not have to sit through nearly an hour of other degree recipients being called. 
• Doctoral hooding will now take place during the graduate ceremony. 

Indoor Venue 

• Due to increasing weather concerns in recent years, including excessive heat, sun exposure and rain (as experienced last year), we have decided to move both ceremonies into the Woodsboro Bank Arena in the Ronald J. Volpe Athletic Center.  
• This will provide a more comfortable and secure environment for all attendees. 
• AV equipment has been upgraded and will provide a strong live-streamed experience for those watching from home. 

Senior Week Schedule 2025 

• Wednesday, May 14, 6 p.m. – Graduate Degree Recipient Reception 
• Thursday, May 15, 10 a.m. – ROTC Commissioning Ceremony 
• Thursday, May 15, 5 p.m. – Senior Class Luau 
• Friday, May 16, 10 a.m. – Nursing Pinning Ceremony 
• Friday, May 16, 1 p.m. – Baccalaureate  
• Saturday, May 17, 7:30-9 a.m. – Strawberry Breakfast 
• Saturday, May 17, 10 a.m. – Undergraduate Ceremony 
• Saturday, May 17, 2p.m. – Graduate Ceremony, including hooding ceremony 

We are also exploring changes to regalia from black to navy. Please take a moment to share feedback via this survey link.

We will provide additional details in the spring, but we encourage you to share this information with your families now so they can plan accordingly. Please note that due to the indoor venue's capacity, each graduate will receive a limited number of guest tickets. We understand this may be an adjustment, and further details regarding the exact number of tickets will be shared in the spring. We will be unable to provide an exact number until the spring when we know how many graduates are taking part in the ceremony. 

Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to celebrating this milestone with you. 

Commencement 2024

• Saturday, May 18, 2024 at 10 a.m. on the Hood College Quad
• Commencement Ceremony Video 
• Commencement Program
• Photography
  • Commencement
  • Baccalaureate
  • Hooding Ceremony 
  • Graduate Degree Recipient Reception 
  • Nursing Pinning
  • ROTC Commissioning
  • Senior Luau
  • Grad Images