Commencement
Spring 2025 Commencement — Saturday, May 10
Baldwin Wallace University proudly celebrates the many accomplishments of its spring 2025 graduates.
BW 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.
- Commencement Ceremony and Celebration Events
- Keynote Speaker: President-designate Lee Fisher
- Video of Commencement Ceremony
- Map for Commencement
- Preparing for Commencement
- Tickets for Commencement Ceremony (required for guests)
- Commencement Program
- Graduation Photos and Diploma Mailings
- First Destination Survey
- Future Commencement Dates
Commencement Ceremony and Celebration Events
Parking
Almost all parking on campus is open on the day of commencement.
- Accessible parking: The BW 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, and faculty and student leaders will conduct the ceremony. Associate professor Chisomo Selemani will be the speaker, and the title of her talk is “What Will You Build?" 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. View details for tickets.
Accessible seating:
Accessible seating is available on the floor of Ursprung Gymnasium. Please see an usher for assistance.
Commencement Speaker
President-designate Lee Fisher will be the keynote speaker during the commencement ceremony. Already a welcomed and familiar face on campus, Fisher officially begins his role leading BW on July 1. Read more.
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
Regalia can be ordered online through the Bookstore. Orders must be placed by Friday, May 2 to ensure delivery before commencement.
Pre-ordered regalia can be picked up at the Bookstore in the lower level of Strosacker Hall. The deadline for pick up is before 4 p.m. on Friday, May 9. View Bookstore hours. Call the Bookstore at (440) 826-2205 with any questions.
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.
Tickets
Tickets are required for guests at the 2 p.m. commencement ceremony in the Lou Higgins Recreation Center.
All available guest tickets for the ceremony have been claimed.
If additional tickets are needed, students should check with other graduating students to see if they may have extra tickets.
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. Please look for emails from marshal@bw.edu the weeks leading up to commencement. If you need special accommodations to participate in commencement, please notify the marshal.
Remember to watch this rehearsal video before commencement day:
After Commencement Day
Graduation Photos
BW has partnered with GradImages 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 GradImages online, contact their customer service department at (800) 261-2576 or through email. Students who register with GradImages before Commencement Day at gradimages.com/preregistration 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 request for change of record form. If you are having trouble accessing the form, or no longer have access to your BW login, address change requests can be emailed to registrar@bw.edu.
Complete the First Destination Survey
All graduating students are asked to complete the First Destination Survey to help Baldwin Wallace understand your post-graduation plans — a job, continuing education, volunteering, or just trying to figure things out. All of your answers remain confidential.
Your response is important. It helps BW to improve programs, understand career interests and celebrate your success. As a thank you, everyone who completes the survey will be entered into a drawing for $25 Amazon gift card.