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Commencement

Spring 2025 Commencement — Saturday, May 10

91探花 proudly celebrates the many accomplishments of its spring 2025 graduates.

91探花 will host spring commencement on Saturday, May 10. The conferring of degrees ceremony for students receiving a master's degree and students receiving a bachelor's degree will be held at 2:00 p.m., in Ursprung Gymnasium, Lou Higgins Recreation Center.

Preparing for Commencement Day

Caps, Gowns and Hoods

Bachelor's degree students are required to wear a cap and gown. Master's degree students are required to wear a tam, hood and gown.

Purchase Regalia

To help you prepare, the Bookstore is holding a Grad Fair on Monday, March 17, and Tuesday, March 18, in Strosacker Hall. A representative from Jostens will be present to assist you with questions about your regalia as well the purchase of items like class rings, announcements and diploma frames.

Regalia and diploma frames will also be offered online through the Bookstore in mid-April. You will receive an email when online ordering is available.

Orders must be placed by Friday, May 2.

Cords and Stoles
Students earning a bachelor's degree with honors (cumulative GPA of 3.6 or above) will be issued Honor Cords by the University. Qualifying students will receive an email with instructions for obtaining their cords.

Stoles are distributed by the sponsoring organization. Contact the appropriate organization for information.

Pick Up Regalia

Those who order their regalia through the Bookstore, will receive an order confirmation email and an "order ready for pick up" email when your order is ready. The Bookstore order pick-up location is the lower level of Strosacker Hall. The deadline for pick up is before 4 p.m. on Friday, May 9.  Call the Bookstore at (440) 826-2205 with any questions.

Tickets

Tickets are required for guests at the 2 p.m. commencement ceremony in the Lou Higgins Recreation Center.

Starting March 19, each graduate can claim up to five (5) guest tickets online. Unused tickets may be shared with other graduates and their families.

Instructions on how to claim your tickets will be emailed to you at your @bw.edu account. Please claim your tickets by April 17. After that date, unclaimed tickets will be made available to other students. You will receive an email explaining how to claim additional tickets after April 21 based on availability.

Virtual Rehearsal and Procession Lineup

All graduates will receive email communications from the Marshal of Commencement to confirm their participation and provide information on arrival times, lineup and procession (including a rehearsal video that you will need to watch). Please look for emails from marshal@bw.edu the week before commencement. If you need special accommodations to participate in commencement, please notify the marshal.

Commencement Ceremony and Celebration Events

Parking

Almost all parking on campus is open on the day of commencement.

  • Accessible parking: The 91探花 parking lot located immediately west of the Lou Higgins Recreation Center is designated for accessible parking to accommodate any graduates, families, or guests with a disability placard and those with limited mobility. Accessible parking is also available in every lot on campus.
  • No parking is allowed in fire zones.
  • Parking questions? Contact Parking Services at (440) 826-2410 if you have questions prior to the day of commencement. Contact Safety and Security at (440) 826-2336 if you have questions on the day of commencement.

Baccalaureate Service

10:00 a.m., Lindsay-Crossman Chapel, 56 Seminary St., Berea
Baccalaureate is a non-denominational service that gives thanks for the achievements of the graduates, celebrates the completion of their academic careers, and asks for God's blessings on their futures. Rev. C.J. Harkness will preside. Faculty and student leaders will conduct the ceremony. All students and families are invited to attend.

President's Reception

11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Strosacker Hall Ballroom, 125 Tressel St., Berea
The President's Reception welcomes all graduates and their families and guests to celebrate their achievements together. This informal event features light refreshments. Formal dress is not required, and reservations are not necessary. Caps and gowns are not worn at this time. (Individual academic departments may host receptions for graduating students and parents. Contact departments directly for information.)

White Rose Ceremony

12:00 p.m., Lindsay-Crossman Chapel, 56 Seminary St., Berea
The White Rose Ceremony is held annually during spring commencement weekend in memory of Philura Gould Baldwin. An oration is given by one of the selected participants, and a portion of the White Rose song is sung. A white rose serves as a memorial to the honoree.

Philura Gould Baldwin, 1886, was the granddaughter of John Baldwin, founder of Baldwin University. As an undergraduate, Philura collected books, cataloging them according to Dewey's new decimal system, to begin a library. The traditional colors of brown and gold, which carried over from Baldwin University, had been Philur's suggestion. Following her death from consumption at age 26, Philura's parents donated funds for a library that was dedicated in her memory in June 1894. The building still stands today as part of the Malicky Center.

Conferring of Degrees Ceremony

2:00 p.m., Ursprung Gymnasium, Lou Higgins Recreation Center, 136 E. Bagley Rd., Berea (Doors open at 12:30 p.m.)
The conferring of degrees ceremony for students receiving a master's degree and students receiving a bachelor's degree will be held at 2:00 p.m. The ceremony typically runs less than two hours.

Arrival time for ceremony:

  • Graduates are to arrive early and report to the Lou Higgins Recreation Center by 1:15 p.m.
  • Guests should be seated in Ursprung Gymnasium by 1:45 p.m. Tickets are required for guests at the commencement ceremony. Details will be announced in March.

Accessible seating:

Accessible seating is available on the floor of Ursprung Gymnasium. Please see an usher for assistance.

Livestream Video

Livestream video of the commencement ceremony will stream on this page for family and friends who are unable to attend. A video recording of the ceremony will also be posted on this page the week following commencement.

After Commencement Day

Graduation Photos

91探花 has partnered with to provide graduate photos. All graduates will be directed to a photo station immediately after exiting the commencement stage and have a photo taken. For information about ordering photos, visit online, contact their customer service department at (800) 261-2576 or . Students who register with GradImages before Commencement Day at can receive a 20% discount on their entire order.

Diploma Mailing

Once final grades are recorded (in June 2025), you will receive a mailing with your official diploma. If you have changed your address in the last year, please complete the . If you are having trouble accessing the form, or no longer have access to your 91探花 login, address change requests can be emailed to registrar@bw.edu.

Future Commencement Dates*

Fall 2025: December 13
Spring 2026: May 9
Fall 2026: December 12
Spring 2027: May 8
Fall 2027: December 11
Spring 2028: May 6
Fall 2028: December 9
Spring 2029: May 5

*Subject to change