187th Commencement Ceremony

All are welcome to attend Wesleyan’s 187th Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, May 26 at 11 a.m. Faculty and Undergraduates assemble on the top of Foss Hill at 10 a.m. The ceremony will take place on Andrus Field in the center of campus, rain or shine, and will last approximately 2½ hours. The ceremony may also be viewed online. 

Details about this year's Commencement speaker and honorary degree recipients can be found here.

Inclement Weather Plan

The Commencement Ceremony is held outdoors, rain or shine. Under certain weather conditions, the ceremony may be shifted from the open field, where seating is unlimited, into the large tent on Andrus Field. Although the tent accommodates numerous spectators, seating is limited. In this scenario, we respectfully request that each graduate limit his/her guests to 3 seats under the tent.

Please come prepared with raincoats, umbrellas, and appropriate footwear. Ponchos will be provided.

Information will be posted on the Wesleyan homepage and the Reunion & Commencement website, and graduating seniors will be notified via email. Details will also be available at Registration (Exley Science Center).

The ceremony will be simulcast in the Memorial Chapel, Patricelli ’92 Theater, Ring Family Performing Arts Hall, and Tishler Lecture Hall (Room 150) at Exley Science Center, rain or shine. The ceremony may also be viewed online. Please check the Reunion landing page or the WesCast (webcast) page for details the week of May 20, 2019. 

Following the ceremony

A gathering celebrating the Class of 2019 will take place immediately following the Commencement ceremony. Families and students who wish to meet during the reception are encouraged to identify a “meeting place” in advance (e.g., one of the buildings on College Row). Light refreshments will be available.

Registration

On campus registration is located at the Exley Science Center (Show in Map). 

On-site registration hours:

Thursday, May 23: 2 p.m.–9 p.m.
Friday, May 24: 9 a.m.–9 p.m.
Saturday, May 25: 8 a.m.–9 p.m.
Sunday, May 26: 8 a.m.–1 p.m.

Who should register?

All alumni should register for the weekend, parents and families of graduating seniors should register if they’re planning to attend any fee-based events, or if they’d like to have a welcome packet of information (including nametags for all registrants) when they arrive on campus for the weekend. You do not have to register to attend the Commencement Ceremony.

Caps and Gowns

This year students will purchase (via credit card) their cap and gown regalia from the following Oak Hall website: https://wesleyan.shopoakhalli.com/purchasewizard/Welcome 

Students will either choose a Bachelor Package, Masters Package, or Doctor Package. All Bachelor Packages will be shipped to the Wesleyan R J Julia Bookstore and will be available for pick up starting Monday, May 13. Masters and PHD candidates will either elect to pick up their package at the Wesleyan R J Julia store or have it sent to their home address.

Students will have until April 1 to purchase their caps and gowns.

The website will guide you to the correct gown size by asking height and weight questions. Students can also stop by the Wesleyan R J Julia Bookstore – starting Monday, March 25 – to try on sample sizes before ordering on line.

Please note: For those who don’t have the financial resources, loaner caps and gowns are available through the Wesleyan R J Julia Bookstore. Distribution of loaner graduation cap & gown will be limited to the week of May 13. Email Paula Page ppage@wesleyan.edu or visit her at the Wesleyan R J Julia Bookstore. Supplies are limited.
Wesleyan R J Julia Bookstore: 413 Main Street, Middletown, CT 06457 (860) 685-3939.
Store Hours: Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Parents and Grandparents who work in the field of education are invited to participate in the commencement ceremony

We warmly invite parents and grandparents who work in the field of education to march as a division in the ceremony. Educators are then welcome to sit as a division, along with a guest, or may choose to sit in general seating following the procession. Educators must supply and wear their own regalia.

Please respond to Dana Coffin via email at dcoffin@wesleyan.edu or (860) 685-3756 by May 14 if you would like to participate.

Outdoor Commencement Ceremony on Andrus Field

Andrus Field is nestled in the center of campus. The ceremony takes place on Denison Terrace, which is parallel to the back of Olin Memorial Library and seating is available on Andrus Field.

Indoor (Simulcast) Locations

The ceremony is broadcast live (rain or shine) inside air-conditioned, accessible buildings on campus and on the web on WesCast. The simulcast locations are the Memorial Chapel, Patricelli '92 Theater, Ring Family Performing Arts Hall, and Tishler Lecture Hall (Room 150) at the Exley Science Center. The ceremony takes place rain or shine, and will last approximately 2–2½ hours. The ceremony may also be viewed online.

Tickets

All are welcome to attend Wesleyan's 187th Commencement Ceremony. Tickets are not required to attend the ceremony. The 5,000 chairs on Andrus Field (some are outside, some under the large tent with full view of the podium) are available on a first-come, first-served basis. There is additional room for seating on Foss Hill (bring a blanket or folding chairs). 

Water

Wesleyan is bottled water-free. We encourage guests to bring their own beverage of choice.  The ceremony is out in the open and will last approximately 2 hours. Reusable bottles (for purchase) and water stations are available inside nearby buildings (Usdan University Center, Zelnick Pavilion) and at a water station outside the Memorial Chapel. 

Visitors with Disabilities

The University is committed to full access and reasonable accommodations for all people. Please find more information on the Reunion & Commencement Weekend Accessibility page.