NEWS
This Weekend is Commencement Weekend: What You Need to Know
It is Commencement Weekend at Davidson College.
Davidson College’s 187th Commencement, celebrating the Class of 2024 will take place on Sunday, May 12, 2024.
A livestream of commencement and digital event program will also be available for loved ones unable to attend the ceremony.
This live stream will also be projected in the C. Shaw Smith 900 Room in the Alvarez College Union. In the event of inclement weather, the stream will be projected in the Duke Family Performance Hall as well.
In addition to the commencement ceremony, family and friends of students are welcome to attend a number of events held on Saturday and Sunday, including department open houses and performances by the Davidson College Chorale featuring senior soloists and the Jazz Ensemble.
Friday, May 10, 2024
| Event/Time | Details |
|---|---|
| Picture This: Vintage Selfie Station with the College Archives 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Library |
Stop by the Davidsoniana Room (2nd floor of the Library) between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to take selfies with Davidson memorabilia from the College Archives. There will be a vintage megaphone, beanie, and pennant, among other fun props. |
| A Sweet Farewell for Seniors 3–4 p.m. Matthews Center, Alvarez College Union |
Kick off graduation weekend by enjoying sweet treats with the Matthews Center staff. Parents and family members also welcome. Register on Handshake. Hosted by the Matthews Center for Career Development |
Saturday, May 11, 2024
| Event/Time | Details |
|---|---|
| Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony 10-11 a.m. Hance Auditorium, Chambers Building |
There will be a reception immediately following the ceremony. Contact Captain Phillip Brown at [email protected] for more information. |
| Senior Goodbye Song 10-11 a.m. Tyler-Tallman Hall, Sloan Music Building |
Come and hear our senior voice students as they sing their last solos on the stage of Tyler Tallman. All friends and family are invited to this special moment. |
| Required Meeting for Graduating Seniors 1:45 p.m. Duke Family Performance Hall, Knobloch Campus Center |
Required meeting for graduating seniors in lieu of a rehearsal. Wear caps and gowns if you plan to attend the Baccalaureate Service. |
| Baccalaureate Service 2:30-3:30 p.m. John M. Belk Arena in Baker Sports Complex |
Drawing on the college’s Presbyterian heritage, the Baccalaureate Service is an inclusive, non-denominational spiritual celebration for faculty, staff, seniors, parents and their families. The seniors will process in wearing caps and gowns. President Doug Hicks, Associate Chaplain Daniel Heath, and DCPC Campus Minister Caitlyn Zold preside alongside Chaplain Julia Watkins. Chaplain Watkins will offer a sermon with words of blessing for the seniors. Casual dress clothes are appropriate and attendance is encouraged but optional. Live captioning will be available for viewing on personal devices during the Baccalaureate Service. |
| Open Houses 4-5:30 p.m. Varying Locations |
Open Houses hosted by various departments. |
| Graduate’s Dinner 5:30 p.m. Vail Commons (tickets required) |
In celebration of the graduates, Vail Commons will host an exquisite dinner serving classical dishes with a twist. Tickets are required and are free; must be obtained in advance by students. |
| Farewell to Seniors Concert 7:15 p.m. Davidson College Presbyterian Church |
Davidson College Chorale performs the Farewell to Seniors Concert. |
| Senior Class Party 9 p.m.–12 a.m. Former Tennis Courts, adjacent to Qdoba |
Party is open to seniors and their guests. The event will take place in the lawn adjacent to Qdoba, former location of the tennis courts. |
Sunday, May 12, 2024
Commencement
| Event/Time | Details |
|---|---|
| Seating Opens 8:30 a.m. |
Seating for Commencement Ceremony opens for family and friends. |
| Graduating Seniors Meeting 9 a.m. |
Required meeting for graduating seniors at the Lilly Family Gallery, Chambers Building. Wear caps and gowns. Rain Plan: Lowest level of Baker Sports Complex, far basketball practice court |
| Procession Begins 9:50 a.m. |
Academic Procession |
| Commencement Ceremony 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. |
Commencement, Front Campus A live stream will be available. Visitors may view the live stream in the C. Shaw Smith 900 Room, in the Alvarez College Union, for those who would like to watch the ceremony in a climate-controlled environment. Live captioning will be available for viewing on personal devices during Commencement. Rain Plan Ceremony will move to the John M. Belk Arena in Baker Sports Complex. Tickets will only be required in the case of inclement weather. The 900 Room, as well as the Duke Family Performance Hall, will serve as overflow locations should the ceremony move to the Belk Arena due to inclement weather. |
Future Commencement Dates
- Class of 2025: Sunday, May 18, 2025
- Class of 2026: Sunday, May 17, 2026
- Class of 2027: Sunday, May 16, 2027