Saturday, May 17, 2025
- 10:30 AM2hAcademic ReceptionToday's Events | Merrill House, Tent
Graduating students and their families are invited to celebrate with Colgate’s faculty and other academic community members. Refreshments will be served. - 12:00 PM1h 30mMulticultural CelebrationToday's Events | James C. Colgate Hall, Hall of Presidents
The ALANA Cultural Center is excited to host and invite all graduating multicultural seniors to attend this special celebration. - 1:30 PM1hCommencement Seminar: "SEAL Stories"Today's Events | Lawrence Hall, 20
Distinguished honorary degree recipient Richard Trusty Patrick Woolard ’65, Captain, Navy SEALs (retired), shares inspiring insight based on his experiences. - 3:30 PM1hBaccalaureate ServiceToday's Events | Colgate Memorial Chapel
This traditional event offers both reflection for, and a farewell to, the graduating class. The service includes comments from the class's 1819 Award recipient and the recipient of the Jerome Balmuth Award for Teaching and Student Engagement. Graduating seniors offer readings from diverse religious and humanist traditions and present musical and dance selections.The graduates will line up for the procession at 3 p.m. and will be seated in the chapel.With all the graduates attending, additional seating in the chapel is extremely limited. Guests should plan to view the live stream of the event at our provided alternate on-campus viewing locations or at colgate.edu/commencement at a location of their choice. Viewing locations:Tent on Academic QuadLawrence Hall, 105 Ho Lecture Room Olin Hall, Love AuditoriumLearn more at colgate.edu/commencement. - 8:30 PM1hTorchlight ProcessionToday's Events | Academic Quad
Graduates will line up on the Academic Quad at 7:45 p.m.First enacted in 1930 under the guidance of the Alumni Association of the University, the Senior Torchlight Procession celebrates the culmination of the graduates’ four years and signifies their transition to life outside of the University.The graduating class members process down the hill carrying torches as a symbol of the “light of knowledge” they have gained through their Colgate education as represented by the torch on the University seal.Families will be able to watch the procession from a designated viewing area. We ask spectators not to interrupt the procession and to refrain from tossing objects to the graduates as they process.Immediately following the Torchlight Procession, the graduates and their families are invited to gather under the Oak Drive tent to enjoy music, dancing, and refreshments.Learn more at colgate.edu/commencement. - 9:00 PM1h 30mPresident's ReceptionToday's Events | Oak Drive Reception Area
Immediately following the Torchlight Procession, graduates and their families are invited to gather under a large tent on Oak Drive near the lower campus to enjoy music, dancing, and refreshments.Learn more at colgate.edu/commencement.