Commencement

May 4-5, 2024

Update: Friday, May 3, 2024 – Unfortunately, the weather forecast is not cooperating with our Commencement plans this weekend, and we will need to move Saturday’s activities and the Sunday ceremony indoors. See the Schedule and the General Information pages for more information.

Quicklinks: Schedule | Livestream | Program (PDF) | Speaker | Local Weather | News & Features | Squires | Logistics and General Information

Schedule at a Glance

Saturday, May 4^

• Daisy Chain, 10:45 a.m.
• Phi Beta Kappa, 1:30 p.m.
• MAT Ceremony, 2:30 p.m.
• MACSL Ceremony, 3 p.m.
• Garden Party, 4 p.m.

Sunday, May 5^

• Commencement Ceremony, 9 a.m.

View Full Weekend Schedule – all events, details, information, weather contingencies
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News, Features, Photos, and More

Poet Nikki Giovanni to serve as 2024 Commencement speaker

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• Meet the graduates: Natalie Clark '23, '24 MACSL
• Meet the graduates: Sam Hey '24
• PHOTOS: 2024 Commencement
• Randolph announces 2024 Phi Beta Kappa inductees
• Meet the graduates: Jenna Rozenboom ’24
• Meet the graduates: Tristian Palmer ’24
• Meet the graduates: Marcela Izquierdo Poza ’24
• Randolph holding Commencement ceremony on May 5
• Poet Nikki Giovanni to serve as 2024 Commencement speaker
• Randolph welcomes Class of 2024 to campus

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The Squires Tradition

It is tradition for each senior to select a graduation squire who will march with the senior and sit directly behind them during Commencement. At the designated moment during the ceremony, the squire will ceremoniously place the Randolph College baccalaureate hood around the senior’s collar.

Although most seniors choose fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, grandparents, alumnae relatives, or siblings to act as their squire, some choose a friend, professor, mentor, or other non-relative with whom they want to share this very special occasion.

2024 Schedule of Events

Saturday, May 4, 2024

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• 10:45 a.m. Seniors Meet for Daisy Chain Moore Hall Stairs
  (Rain Site: Smith Memorial Building, Smith Hall Theatre)
• 11 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Daisy Chain Moore Hall Stairs
  (Rain Site: Smith Memorial Building, Smith Hall Theatre)
• 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Brunch Cheatham Dining Hall
  A brunch buffet is available for purchase; no reservations required.
• 1:30 p.m. Phi Beta Kappa Initiation Ceremony Smith Memorial Building, Alice Ashley Jack Room
  Initiation ceremony and reception for initiates and their guests.
• 2:30 p.m. MAT Awards Ceremony Maier Museum of Art
• 3 p.m. MACSL Graduate Recognition Ceremony Smith Memorial Building, Alice Ashley Jack Room
• 4 p.m.–5:30 p.m. Garden Party Student Center: Hampson Commons and Alice’s E-Cade and Michels Plaza
  Celebration for Master’s degree students, undergraduates, families, and guests with the College President, administration, and faculty. Dress: Cocktail attire.

Sunday, May 5, 2024

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• 6:30–8:30 a.m. Breakfast Cheatham Dining Hall
  A breakfast buffet is available for purchase; no reservations required.
• 7:45–8:45 a.m. Commencement Rehearsal Tennis Courts
  (Rain Site: Smith Memorial Building, Smith Banquet Hall)
  Participation is mandatory for graduates and squires. Graduates should come dressed and ready for Commencement. Cap, gown, and hood should be readily available. Please eat breakfast before rehearsal, as you will not have time afterward.
• 8:45 a.m. Commencement Procession Forms Graduates line-up on the Tennis Courts
  (Rain Site: Smith Memorial Building, Smith Banquet Hall)
• 8:50 a.m. Commencement Procession Begins
• 9 a.m. Commencement WildCat Stadium
  (Rain Site: Smith Memorial Building, Smith Hall Theatre)
  Livestream | Digital Program
• 10:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Commencement Brunch Cheatham Dining Hall
  A buffet brunch is available for purchase; no reservations required. The College will provide brunch free of charge for all graduates.
• 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Hood Return Main Hall Lobby
  Undergraduate hood return will be located in Main Hall Lobby. Hoods are available for purchase at $35.00 each.
• 6 p.m. Residence Halls Close for the summer (No exceptions)