Below is this year’s schedule. We have a great group of honorary degree recipients, plus answers to your questions and a way to see the event live if you are following a Bates grad from afar.

Update May 23: Unless the forecast calls for significant and/or prolonged rain, we are committed to providing an outdoor Commencement for our seniors and their families; it is what they, and we, want. At this time, the forecast for Sunday morning is for less than a 50 percent chance of a passing shower between 8am and 2pm. No forecast at this time suggests heavy or prolonged rain Sunday morning. Unless the forecast changes, we will plan for an outdoor Commencement — and enjoy our interesting spring weather together. The forecast for Saturday afternoon, for our Baccalaureate, remains promising.

Thursday, May 23, 2019

5:30 p.m. Farewell celebration What: Faculty and students celebrate the academic accomplishments of the Class of 2019 Who: Seniors, faculty and coaches Where: Clifton Daggett Gray Athletic Building
Friday, May 24, 2019
2 p.m. Class of 2019 Photo  What: Class picture Who: Required for all graduating seniors Where: Garcelon Field (Rainsite Underhill Ice Arena)
3 p.m. Commencement rehearsal What: Commencement ceremony rehearsal Who: Required for all graduating seniors Where: Historic Quad (Rainsite Merrill Gymnasium)
5:00 p.m. College Key induction What: Membership in the College Key is awarded to juniors and seniors who distinguish themselves through their academic performance, athletic or extracurricular pursuits, service to the community and strength of character Who: Inductees, their families and guests Where: Olin Arts Center Concert Hall
6:30 p.m. Phi Beta Kappa induction What: Phi Beta Kappa is the national honor society for liberal arts colleges Who: Inductees, their families and guests Where: Olin Arts Center Concert Hall
7:30 p.m. Sigma Xi induction What: Sigma Xi is the national scientific society for liberal arts colleges Who: Inductees, their families and guests Where: Olin Arts Center Concert Hall
8:30 p.m. Senior/Parents Wine and Cheese Tasting What: Senior/parents wine tasting Who: Senior/Parents Where: Pettengill Atrium
Saturday, May 25, 2019
1 p.m. Legacy Group photo What: Photo of students with family histories at Bates Where: Hathorn Hall steps
1:30 p.m. Line up for Baccalaureate Who: Ceremony participants Where: Alumni Walk (Rainsite Merrill Gymnasium)
2 p.m. Baccalaureate service What: Baccalaureate celebrates students’ journey through Bates and beyond through the languages of many religions and spiritualities, and celebrates with poetry, music, dance and reflection Who: Graduating seniors, their families and guests Where:  Historic Quad (Rainsite Merrill Gymnasium)
Sunday, May 26, 2019
7:30–9 a.m. Breakfast What: A complimentary breakfast Who: Graduating seniors, their families and guests Where: Commons
8:30 a.m. Line up for commencement Where: Historic Quad (Rainsite Merrill Gymnasium)
9:30 a.m. Commencement procession What: Procession begins Who: All are welcome Where: Historic Quad (Rainsite Merrill Gymnasium)
10 a.m. Commencement What: The ceremony you’ve been waiting for! Who: All are welcome Where: Historic Quad (Rainsite Merrill Gymnasium) A live video feed will be available for viewing in the Olin Arts Center, and the event will be livestreamed at bates.edu/commencement/live
Noon (immediately following Commencement) Lunch What: Complimentary lunch Who: Graduating seniors, their families and guests Where: Library Quad (Rainsite Clifton Daggett Athletic Building and Alumni Gymnasium)