Below are some of the questions frequently asked by students.
Your class committee will be putting together a schedule of activities for Senior Week. A detailed schedule will be available near the end of the spring semester.
No! You may invite as many people as you like. Even if it rains, our indoor site will have plenty of seating.
Guests will need to pre-register for tickets for any meals served by the College during Commencement Weekend. The two meals that you will particularly want tickets for are the Family Dinner on Friday and the Commencement Boxed Lunch on Saturday.
Guests who are only attending the ceremony do not require tickets.
Your parents will receive a registration reminder flier in the mail in late February. There will be online registration through the website from early March until late April.
Your family does not need to order meal tickets for you. Your meals are already covered.
Yes — if you don't plan on walking, please notify all of the following individuals:
Sam Filkens, Director of Student Engagement
filkinss@kenyon.edu
Ellen Harbourt, Registrar
harbourte@kenyon.edu
Bethanne Fowler, Assistant Director of Academic and Ceremonial Events
commencement@kenyon.edu
An email will be sent out in the first few weeks of second semester asking you to complete a form to order your cap and gown. You will also have an opportunity to complete the form at our Grad Fair in Peirce Atrium on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, where you can also order announcements, take a look at class rings and pick up information on special services for seniors from various office representatives.
All gowns will be distributed at Commencement rehearsal the Thursday before graduation. You must pick up your own gown — you cannot pick up gowns for friends. Any student who does not attend the rehearsal should schedule an appointment with the Dean of Students to discuss acquiring their cap and gown.
If the forecast calls for rain (or temperature extremes of any kind) outdoor activities will be moved to inside locations. In case of inclement weather, the alternate site for both Baccalaureate and Commencement is the Toan Track of the Kenyon Athletic Center.
Students will be notified of the final weather decision by email on the morning of each ceremony.
If Commencement is outdoors, Seniors will line up on Middle Path beginning near The Village Market.
If Commencement is indoors, Seniors will line up in the KAC tennis courts. If the ceremony is going to be indoors, students will receive an email that morning.
Regardless of site, students should arrive to line up no later than 10 a.m.
Announcing your name correctly at Commencement is very important to us. Included on the same form that you order your cap and gown will be some questions about pronunciation of your name. This form will be sent to you a few weeks after the start of the spring semester.
Graduates and their guests must be out of the dorms and apartments by 7 p.m. on the day of Commencement. Be sure to take a look at the End of Year Closing Information page on the Housing and Residential Life website.
The Phi Beta Kappa committee cannot make their final determination until after senior grades have been submitted to the Registrar. While important, grades are only one of several criteria considered by the committee.
Qualifying students will be invited to join Phi Beta Kappa during Senior Week. The spring induction into Phi Beta Kappa will be held on the Friday of Commencement Weekend, at 10:30 a.m. in Rosse Hall Auditorium.
No. Kenyon has a very strict policy of not allowing seniors to walk if they have not finished all of their graduation requirements. If you have further questions about this policy, please contact the Office of the Dean of Students, 740-427-5137.
Seniors who will not be graduating with their class must receive permission from the Office of the Dean of Students, 740-427-5137, to remain on campus for Senior Week activities.
If you have further questions that were not on this list or answered by the information on the Commencement webpages, please contact the Commencement Office at commencement@kenyon.edu.