Commencement

Countdown to Graduation

All those who will be graduating this year are invited to pick up regalia, meet with various departments, and enjoy refreshments provided by the Office of the President during this come-and-go event. Learn about continued resources to you beyond Houghton and be entered into some prize drawings and giveaways too. Please direct questions to the Highlander Shop or the Office of Vocation and Calling. Specific instructions for ordering regalia will be sent to graduates’ Houghton email addresses.  Direct any ordering questions to: thehighlandersshop@houghton.edu 

Senior Events

Seniors should check hub.houghton.edu for updates on class events planned for the Spring semester.

• Commencement Rehearsal (required for graduating students)
  1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  John and Charles Wesley Chapel 
• Equestrian Senior Exhibition Show
  2:00 p.m.
  Houghton University Equestrian Center
• Through-The-Line Dinner 
  4:30 – 6:00 p.m. (no formal program) 
  Dining Hall 
• Graduates Assemble  
  6:00 p.m.
  Graduates assemble, in gowns (no caps), on the sidewalk in front of Luckey Building or in chapel lower level in case of inclement weather. 
• Baccalaureate Service 
  6:30 p.m.
  John and Charles Wesley Chapel
  Note: Doors open at 6:00 p.m. for guests
• Throughout the day – Senior Art Show
  9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
  Ortlip Art Gallery, Center for the Arts

• Through-The-Line Breakfast 
  8:00 – 9:30 a.m.
  Dining Hall 
• Graduates Assemble  
  9:15 a.m.
  Graduates assemble in cap and gown on the Luckey Building steps for class picture or in case of inclement weather, in chapel lower level.
• Commencement 
  10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
  John and Charles Wesley Chapel 
  Note: Doors open at 9:00 a.m. for ticketed guests
• Post-Commencement Lunch Reception 
  Noon
  Campus Quad
• Throughout the day – Senior Art Show
  9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
  Ortlip Art Gallery, Center for the Arts

No tickets are required to attend the Baccalaureate Service in John and Charles Wesley Chapel. The Baccalaureate service will be livestreamed on the Houghton University homepage; however, there will not be alternative on-campus viewing locations.

Tickets are free of charge. Selling commencement tickets is strictly prohibited. Tickets are needed for seating in John and Charles Wesley Chapel only. 

Each graduate will receive four (4) tickets for commencement at rehearsal on Friday, May 9 at 1:00 p.m. Tickets are designated for John and Charles Wesley Chapel but are not reserved by seat number (general seating only). Wheelchair or walker-accessible seating (plus one companion seat for each accessible seat) may be reserved in the back row of the chapel for ticketed guests by email commencement@houghton.edu before April 12, 2025.

Additional non-ticketed seating will be available in the Center for the Arts Recital Hall for livestream viewing.

Diplomas will be mailed to the graduate’s home address on file in the Registrar’s Office approximately 6 weeks after completion of degree requirements.

All university bills (including library charges and parking tickets) must be paid at least one week prior to Commencement; diplomas will not be mailed to students with outstanding balances or fines. 

All library books must be returned to the library at least one week prior to Commencement; diplomas will not be mailed to students with unreturned library books. 

Those in need of sign language interpretation should contact commencement@houghton.edu before April 12, 2025.

Wheelchair-accessible seating (plus one companion seat for each accessible seat) may be reserved in the back row of the chapel for ticketed guests by email: commencement@houghton.edu before April 12, 2025.

Each graduate will be individually photographed as he or she receives a diploma and walks across the stage. These photos will be provided to families by the University free of charge. Graduates should watch their Houghton email the week following the commencement ceremony for a link to download their photo.

Seniors should check hub.houghton.edu for updates on class events planned between now and commencement weekend.

Graduation honors will be verified by the Registrar’s Office.

Flowers will be available for purchase from The Highlanders Shop in May.

May be ordered from The Highlanders Shop.

The lot between Luckey Building and Wesley Chapel is designated for use by those who possess a state-issued handicap parking permit or special Commencement permits only.