°µÒ¹³ÉÈËÊÓƵ students walking on stage at commencement ceremony

Commencement Headquarters

This is your one-stop shop for all things Commencement at °µÒ¹³ÉÈËÊÓƵ—from schedules to live streams to accommodations, it’s all here.

Welcome to °µÒ¹³ÉÈËÊÓƵ’s 2025 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 2025!

Ceremony Live Stream Links

Baccalaureate Livestream

Commencement Livestream

Key Commencement Weekend Events

Saturday, May 24

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

5:00 p.m.
Dinner on the Lawn, Susie Miller Roush Lawn
Tickets required: $18 per adult, $12 per child under 12, Free for children under 3. Graduates eat free.

7:00 p.m.
Honor Walk, Old °µÒ¹³ÉÈËÊÓƵ Lawn

Sunday, May 25

10:00 a.m.
Commencement Ceremony, Andy Frye Stadium
Tickets required: Each graduate will receive up to seven assigned seats in the central grandstand sections. Additional guests may sit in designated general admission seating on the field on a first come, first serve basis. Gates will open at 8:30 a.m.
*Rain plan: Each graduate will receive four tickets in Newlin Hall. Additional guests may view the ceremony simulcast in Weisiger and Vahlkamp Theatres.

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

Guest Registration and Tickets

Graduating seniors will receive Commencement tickets on May 21. Guests should register themselves for other Commencement Weekend meals (Dinner on the Lawn and Commencement Boxed Lunch).

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 25 must formally complete all academic and degree requirements by one of the following dates—December 10, 2024, January 28, 2025, or May 13, 2025—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 2025 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 25 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, 2025.

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: 
julie.rawlings@centre.edu
859.238.5451

Residence Halls will close at 6:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 25. 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 21, 2025. The survey will likely take about 30 minutes to complete. This information will serve as a tool to provide feedback on your °µÒ¹³ÉÈËÊÓƵ Experience and share your new contact information in addition to future plans. The Senior Exit Survey link will be emailed to the Class of 2025 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

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

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 °µÒ¹³ÉÈËÊÓƵ tradition dating back to the College’s Presbyterian heritage. Now drawing from the wider diversity of traditions that characterize the °µÒ¹³ÉÈËÊÓƵ community, the ceremony of reflection and challenge inspires graduates spiritually on their journey forward. This ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 24, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. in Newlin Hall, Norton Center for the Arts. Seating for Baccalaureate is general admission. Any accessibility requests should be made by graduates at Senior Fair on Feb. 20. 

The Honor Walk Ceremony was born in 2003 with °µÒ¹³ÉÈËÊÓƵ's 20th President, John A. Roush. Each year on the eve of Commencement the senior class gathers at Old °µÒ¹³ÉÈËÊÓƵ to honor those who had the most profound impact on their °µÒ¹³ÉÈËÊÓƵ Experience.

If your Senior is participating in Honor Walk, make sure they are seated no later than 6:45 PM in front of Old °µÒ¹³ÉÈËÊÓƵ. Seniors and honorees will sit together on the Walnut Street (left) side of Old °µÒ¹³ÉÈËÊÓƵ. 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. Guests typically wear dressy casual attire throughout the weekend. Most activities take place outside. NOTE: Please do not wear pointy heeled shoes on the turf or track inside Andy Frye Stadium.

Each graduate will receive four assigned seats in the central portion of the grandstand (or in Newlin Hall in the event of inclement weather). For anyone not wishing to sit outside, or in the event of inclement weather, simulcast viewing will be available in Weisiger and Vahlkamp Theatres.

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 °µÒ¹³ÉÈËÊÓƵ Honor Walk or °µÒ¹³ÉÈËÊÓƵ Commencement from the drop down. The photo lab will print and send purchased photos.

Photo of the class of 2025 °µÒ¹³ÉÈËÊÓƵ yard sign in a grassy lawn

Class of 2025

Yard Sign

Display your accomplishment as a °µÒ¹³ÉÈËÊÓƵ graduate! Download the official class yard sign art and send to your local sign printer. 18"w x 24"h.

Download the 2025 yard sign art

Cap and Gown

multiple students leaning in for a selfie photo in graduation attire

Jostens provides custom caps and gowns for °µÒ¹³ÉÈËÊÓƵ graduates at no cost to families. Cap and gown orders ship directly to °µÒ¹³ÉÈËÊÓƵ for distribution on campus during Senior Week. To purchase custom stoles, announcements, jewelry, and additional Commencement accessories, click the button below and select °µÒ¹³ÉÈËÊÓƵ as your school. These items will ship directly to the purchaser. The deadline to purchase custom stoles is March 28, 2025.

Commencement Regalia

°µÒ¹³ÉÈËÊÓƵ 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 °µÒ¹³ÉÈËÊÓƵ Commencement exercises. The College recognizes the importance of stoles in symbolizing academic achievement, participation in college activities, and celebration of identity. 

°µÒ¹³ÉÈËÊÓƵ pays