Whitman College celebrates our graduates through variety of events leading up to Commencement. The following events are confirmed for 2024:
Schedule of Events
A Student Recognition Awards event will take place on Monday, May 6, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. in the Reid Campus Center Young Ballroom.
The Distinguished Faculty Awards will be presented on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 4 p.m. in the Reid Campus Center Young Ballroom (or on the side lawn, weather permitting).
The second annual Inclusive Excellence Awards and Recognition Ceremony will recognize individuals and student clubs that made important contributions to inclusive excellence during the academic year. This event will take place on Wednesday, May 9, 2024 at 6 p.m. in the Reid Campus Center Young Ballroom.
Alumni Relations will host a Blues Brunch, open to all graduates, on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Reid Campus Center.
An Athletics Awards event will take place on Thursday, May 16, 2024 at 8 p.m. in the Reid Campus Center Young Ballroom.
The Intercultural Excellence Stole Ceremony is a celebration that honors the dedication and resilience of students. The Intercultural Excellence Stole Ceremony provides an affirming space for graduating students to celebrate with their classmates, families, and friends; reflect upon the strengths developed and obstacles overcome; and recognize the community of support that developed during their time at Whitman. All are invited to attend and celebrate with us as we honor our graduating seniors!
The Intercultural Excellence Stole Ceremony will take place on Friday, May 17, 2024 at 5 p.m. in the Reid Campus Center Young Ballroom.
The Baccalaureate ceremony is an opportunity to pause in reflection and gratitude, to celebrate remarkable accomplishments and to honor the important transition from student to graduate.
Hosted by the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life, Baccalaureate is an hour-long celebration featuring music from graduating music majors and brief readings, prayers and reflections from a wide range of religious traditions including humanist/non-religious perspectives. It is an opportunity to gather in community around whatever each of us finds meaningful or sacred—for those of all faith traditions, for those of no faith tradition and for everyone in between.
Baccalaureate will take place on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at 2:30 p.m. in Cordiner Hall. The keynote address will be delivered by the Venerable Thubten Chodron, an innovative American Buddhist teacher and founder of Sravasti Abbey, north of Spokane, Washington.
The 138th Commencement ceremony for the Class of 2024 will take place on Sunday, May 19, 2024 at 11 a.m. on the lawn in front of Memorial Building. (Visitor seating opens on a first-come, first-serve basis beginning at 8:30 a.m.). The processional and livestream will begin at 10:50 a.m.
Please note that tickets are not required to attend the Commencement ceremony.