Graduating Seniors

Senior Handbook

Please read the Senior Handbook cover-to-cover to make sure you know all of the academic deadlines and requirements for graduation.

Graduation Caps and Gowns

All graduating seniors are required to purchase their cap and gown online by April 12, 2013 at 8:59 p.m.  Graduation caps and gowns will be distributed in the Whitman College Bookstore.

You may choose to keep your cap and gown after graduation, or if you would prefer, you may choose to recycle your cap, gown, and tassel after the Commencement ceremony.  Collection bins will be placed in Reid Campus Center from 1:00-3:00pm on Sunday, May 19 to collect cap and gown downations.  For more information about recycling and other green initiatives related to Commencement, please contact your Campus Sustainability Coordinators.

Senior Memo

Stay tuned for the Senior Memo which will be distributed in late April/early May!  Learn how graduating seniors participate in the Commencement ceremony, from how to wear your cap and gown to where and when you line up for the procession.

Commencement Weekend Schedule

Want to know what's going on during your final days at Whitman?  Check out all of the events and activities taking place during Commencement weekend: May 17-19, 2013.  You can also view details for the Commencement and Baccalaureate programs.

To submit additional events or activities for the schedule, contact Commencement Coordinator Mara Sorkin no later than May 10, 2013:  sorkinml@whitman.edu

Flowers and Leis

Pre-order flowers and leis to wear at Commencement. (optional)

Diploma Frame

Order a frame for your diploma. (optional)

Transcripts

Order official transcripts via web, mail, fax, or in person.

Yearbook

The Waiilatpu covers popular events, student housing, club and varsity sports teams, art shows, plays, theatre productions, Greek life, student clubs and more.  Order a copy!

Professional Photos

Click thru for detailed instructions for how to pose for your official Commencement photo.  You can also learn how to order professional graduation photos or a DVD following Commencement.

Senior Speaker Competition

Are you ready to pick the senior speaker for graduation?  This year's speech competition will be held on April 18, 2013. Stay tuned for more information in early April.

The Senior Brown Bag

Being a Senior is often a mixed bag of ups and downs, challenges and celebrations, fearfulness and confidence. Anticipating this transition can be very stressful. Many Seniors express a desire to talk about these experiences. Some commonly raised issues are...

Moving away from Whitman College
Saying "goodbye" to friends and life at Whitman but "hello" to other opportunities
The stress associated with finding work
Answering others' questions about future plans
Your heart's desires vs. your mind's logic
Dealing with romantic partners
Finishing up classes and "senior stuff"

The Counseling Center is sponsoring an open meeting time for any Senior throughout the entire semester during the lunch hour (12:00 to 12:45) --- every Wednesday in Reid 240.  No RSVP necessary, just show up, bring a lunch and a friend, and talk about anything concerning you.

If you need to discuss a sensitive matter privately, you may contact the Welty Health Center to schedule an appointment with a counselor:  (509) 527-5295

Post-Grad Careers & Internships

Get the career advice and help you need, from fine-tuning job search materials to identifying potential employers to researching graduate programs and post-baccalaureate internships.  Seniors are encouraged to contact the Student Engagement Center to obtain a list of mentors from our Career Consultant Network who can help you learn about their career field, their employer and sometimes help with job leads.

Green Pledge

Show your commitment to sustainability and improving the environment by taking the Green Pledge.

Accessibility Information

To learn more information about seating, restrooms, and other accessibility information for friends or family with disabilities, please visit the Accessibility page.  Special parking and a drop-off zone is available for guests with limited mobility. An ASL interpreter will be provided at both the Baccalaureate and Commencement ceremonies.

Commencement Map

Check out locations for restrooms, seating, water stations, first aid, and much more before Commencement weekend.

Extreme Weather

In the event of extreme weather, the Commencement ceremony will move indoors and begin at a later time than regularly scheduled.  Due to limited seating indoors, different groups attending Commencement will be asked to watch the ceremony at different locations. Extreme weather is defined as conditions that are unsafe, such as severe winds, hail, or lightning.  Conditions which are merely uncomfortable, such as steady or intermittent rain, will not result in the invoking of the Extreme Weather Plan. 

Please click through to learn more about the Extreme Weather Plan.