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FAQs for Parents & Guests

Below are some of the questions frequently asked by parents and guests as Commencement Weekend approaches.

Class of 2013 - Saturday, May 18, 2013

Class of 2014 - Saturday, May 17, 2014

Class of 2015 - Saturday, May 16, 2015*

Class of 2016 - Saturday, May 21, 2016*

* Kenyon's official academic calendar is not formally approved until eighteen months to two years ahead. While the starred graduation dates are unlikely to change, they will not be absolutely certain until the calendar for that year has been officially confirmed.

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Registration instructions will be sent to the student's home address in late February 2012. (An earlier reminder will be sent just before Thanksgiving break.)

If you have not received a registration flier by March 1, 2013, please contact the Commencement office at commencement@kenyon.edu.

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Baccalaureate is historically a worship service at which a sermon is preached for the graduating class. During much of its history as an Episcopal college, Kenyon held the Baccalaureate service in the chapel according to the forms set forth in the Book of Common Prayer and featuring a prominent member of the clergy as a preacher. In recent years, the College's custom has been to expand this venerable ceremony in ways that highlight Kenyon's academic mission and make the occasion accessible to the broader College community.

To accommodate the growing number of graduates and family members over the years, the ceremony has moved to an outdoor setting. Academic and spiritual texts and chosen and read by members of the senior class to represent an aspect of their particular fields of study or to speak on behalf of communities of faith at Kenyon. In place of a sermon, an address is given by a representative of the College who has been selected by a vote of the graduating class. The invocation and benediction, which call to mind the historic purpose of Baccalaureate, are carefully framed by the participating religious leaders to reflect Kenyon's commitment to being an open and inclusive community.

The Baccalaureate service continues to grow and evolve in an effort to reflect the aspirations of the College's ever-changing community. All are cordially invited to join in this ceremony of reflection and celebration.

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While ceremonies like Baccalaureate and Commencement are formal occasions, you will want to plan to be comfortable outdoors for a sustained period of time for each event and various receptions. Most guests aim for "dress casual" during the weekend.

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No! You may invite as many people as you like. Even if it rains, our indoor site will have plenty of seating.

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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 e-mail on the morning of each ceremony.

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In a word...yes. (Sorry.) The good news is there are other options. On the Accommodations page, you will find resources for on-campus residence hall rooms, some (limited) private housing, and RV camp sites on- and off-campus.

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Yes. Beginning Friday, March 1, you may use the reservation page to reserve as many residence hall rooms as you like. Ground floor rooms are reserved for guests with accessibility issues and distributed on a first-request, first-served basis.

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Residence Hall rooms are $50/night for a single (one twin bed) or $60/night for a double (two twin beds).

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Yes. Each guest will be provided with a set of sheets, a blanket, and a set of towels.

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Yes! You will need tickets for MEALS served by the College. No other event or ceremony needs a ticket or invitation of any kind. Meal tickets can be purchased using the online registration form beginning Friday, March 1.

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Yes, any guest may use the online registration materials. If someone in your family needs a paper copy of the registration materials, please call 740-427-5075 or e-mail commencement@kenyon.edu.

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Yes. The Registration Center will provide you with accessible parking passes and explain where accessible parking sites are located.

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Yes. There will be sign language interpreters at both the Baccalaureate and Commencement ceremonies. Seating near the stage for ease of visibility will be available in the far right front rows.

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Yes. The commencement office will facilitate the rental of wheelchairs from local providers and have them available for pick up at the Registration center in the Gund Game Room when guests arrive.

Guests requiring wheelchairs MUST RENT AHEAD OF THEIR ARRIVAL ON CAMPUS because all of our wheelchairs are rented from outside vendors and delivered to campus just before Commencement Weekend.

Renting a wheelchair can be done via the online registration form beginning Friday, March 1.

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Personalized announcements and related items are available from many companies. However, Jostens is the only company currently licensed to use Kenyon's seal on these products.

One week after spring break, Kenyon will hold the Grad Finale, our graduation fair at the bookstore, March 24 & 25, 2013. A Jostens representative will be on campus to assist with orders during the graduation fair. Announcements can also be ordered online from Jostens.

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Yes, photographers from GradTrak's Chapell Studios will be at the Commencement ceremony to take photographs of each graduate as they wait to cross the stage, as they receive their diploma from the President, and posed in front of the College flags after crossing the stage. Chappell will send a proof and order card to your home address following graduation.

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The Commencement ceremony will be filmed. Graduates will receive a copy by mail in the autumn following graduation. Family and friends who wish to purchase additional copies may do so using the mailed or onling registration form or separate forms provided during Commencement Weekend.

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A "legacy" family is one with at least one previous Kenyon graduate, typically (but not always) a parent.

For further information regarding legacy traditions during Commencement Weekend, please contact the Office of Alumni and Parent Programs at 740-427-5147 or Patty Bower (bowerp@kenyon.edu) or Jill Shriver (shriverj@kenyon.edu) who will be glad to answer your questions on this topic.

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If you have further questions that were not on this list or answered by the information on the Commencement web pages, please contact the Commencment Office at 740-427-5075 or commencement@kenyon.edu.

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