Commencement

Rehearsal for all eligible graduating students will be held Friday, May 5, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. in Ursprung Gymnasium in the Lou Higgins Recreation Center, 136 E. Bagley Rd., Berea.

BACCALAUREATE SERVICE

10:00 a.m., Gamble Auditorium, Kulas Hall, 96 Front St., Berea

Baccalaureate is a non-denominational service that gives thanks for the achievements of the graduates, asks for God's blessings on their futures and celebrates the completion of their academic careers.

PRESIDENT'S RECEPTION

11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Strosacker Hall Ballroom, 120 E. Grand St., Berea

The President's Reception welcomes all graduates and their families and guests to celebrate their achievements together with President and Mrs. Helmer. This informal event features a buffet with heavy hors d'oeuvres and 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 seniors and parents. Contact departments directly for information.)

WHITE ROSE CEREMONY

12:00 p.m., Strosacker Hall (front steps), 120 E. Grand St., Berea

The White Rose Ceremony is held annually during Spring Commencement weekend in memory of Philura Gould Baldwin. An oration is given and selected senior women participate in the presentation of books. 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 Philura's suggestion. Following her death from consumption at age 27, Philura's parents donated funds for a library which was dedicated in her memory in June 1894. The building still stands today, as part of the Malicky Center.

COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY

2:00 p.m., Ursprung Gymnasium in Lou Higgins Recreation Center, 136 E. Bagley Rd., Berea

Caps and gowns are required during the entire ceremony. Men should wear white shirts and dark shoes. Women may wear light (including white) or dark shoes but should avoid bright colors. Commencement ceremony usually lasts approximately two hours.

The commencement speaker is Dee Bagwell Haslam, a successful businesswoman, television producer and philanthropist who has made a positive impact in Northeast Ohio as co-owner of the Cleveland Browns with her husband Jimmy. She also is CEO of RIVR Media.

Tickets are required for the Spring Commencement and will be available for pick up in both the Office of Registration & Records and the Bookstore. Each student will be given six tickets after completing the electronic ticket confirmation process. Students will receive a text message in April with instructions to complete the electronic confirmation, and upon completion, will receive an email receipt required to pick up tickets.

Accessible seating is available on the ground level of the gymnasium floor. The person needing accessible seating may be accompanied by one individual. Guests should arrive by 1:30 p.m. and inform the usher upon arrival.

Almost all parking on campus is open on the day of commencement. No parking is allowed in fire zones. Accessible parking is available in every lot on campus. A limited number of accessible parking spaces are available in the lots adjacent to the Lou Higgins Recreation Center. If you have specific questions, please contact Parking Services at (440) 826-2333.

To request a sign language interpreter or other accommodations, please contact (440) 826-2325 at least two weeks prior to the Commencement ceremony. 

The BW Bookstore is your one-stop shopping for all of your graduation needs: academic regalia (cap, gown, tassel) as well as class rings, personalized announcements, diploma frames and campus memorabilia.

GradImages is a professional company that takes several photos of each graduate — including the moment he/she walks across the stage. Proofs are mailed to students, along with an order form, directly from GradImages. Contact GradImages at (800) 261-2576 or giservice@gradimages.net with any questions regarding photography. Pre-register at gradimages.com and click on Pre-Event Registration.

To view and download photos after the ceremony, visit BW on flickr. A free flickr account is required to download photos. You can also visit the BW Facebook page the week following commencement to view photos from the event. 

The commencement ceremony is streamed live and then archived.

2017

Fall - Saturday, December 9, 2017

2018

Spring - Saturday, May 5, 2018
Fall - Saturday, December 8, 2018

2019

Spring - Saturday, May 4, 2019
Fall - Saturday, December 14, 2019

2020

Spring - Saturday, May 9, 2020