Commencement Weekend 2008
Commencement day is planned for our graduates; the College hosts an outdoor Commencement ceremony so that we can accommodate our graduates' families, friends, and guests. NO TICKETS ARE NEEDED.
Commencement is held outside rain or shine. Please come prepared for any kind of weather (warm coats, raincoats, umbrellas, sunscreen, hats, etc.) and please be sure to bring shoes appropriate for damp, uneven, grassy terrain. A tent, to provide sun and rain protection, will be located behind the seating area, and we will provide a live broadcast of the ceremony in McCullough Social Space (directly behind the rain tent; handicap facilities available) and Mead Chapel (up the hill; handicap port-o-let available) for those who want to be inside.
Guest Housing
Information about the on-line reservation process was sent via U.S. mail to parents of seniors and e-mailed to seniors themselves at the end of September.
In November 2007, Middlebury College made available a very SMALL number of rooms on-campus and at Bread Loaf to Commencement weekend guests.
All college housing is now full.
Parents and other guests are encouraged to make arrangements with area lodging establishments as soon as possible. Sleeping in unreserved spaces will not be allowed. A listing of Web sites and other resources with information on lodging in Addison County, elsewhere in Vermont, and neighboring areas of New York State is provided here: http://www.middlebury.edu/campuslife/events/commencement/parents/
2008 COMMENCEMENT WEEKEND PROGRAM May 21-25, 2008
Note: Although the events and information provided below are similar from year to year, the site is updated regularly so please check back.
Questions about the "Feb Celebration" in January should be directed to the Alumni and Parent Office at 802-443-5183.
Senior Week activities are handled by the "Senior Week Committee," with advice from the Alumni and Parent Office. Please be in touch with them at 802-443-5672 or 443-5183 for more information about Senior Week activities.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 21
TICKET BOX OFFICE
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Grille Lobby, McCullough
SENIOR BARBECUE
6:00 p.m.
Kevin P. Mahaney '84 Center for the Arts Terrace
Rain site: Chip Kenyon '85 Arena
THURSDAY, MAY 22
TICKET BOX OFFICE
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Grille Lobby, McCullough
FRIDAY, MAY 23
TICKET BOX OFFICE
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Grille Lobby in MCullough
HOUSING REGISTRATION FOR PARENTS AND GUESTS
Bread Loaf Inn
Noon - 11:00 p.m.
Stewart Hall Lounge
3 - 10:00 p.m.
(Click here for more parent information)
DEPARTMENT/PROGRAM RECEPTIONS/LUNCHEONS
4:00 p.m.; English and American Literatures Department
Chateau 108
DEDICATION OF THE FRANKLIN ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER
AT HILLCREST
3 - 4:00 p.m.
Hillcrest
(Light refreshments)
PRESIDENT'S RECEPTION FOR SENIORS AND THEIR GUESTS
5 - 7:00 p.m.
Mahaney Center for the Arts Terrace
(Light refreshments)
Rain site: Pepin Gymnasium
SATURDAY, MAY 24
TICKET BOX OFFICE
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Grille Lobby, McCullough
HOUSING REGISTRATION FOR PARENTS AND GUESTS
Stewart Hall Lounge
9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Bread Loaf Inn
9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
(Click here for more parent information)
PHI BETA KAPPA INDUCTION CEREMONY
9 - 10:30 a.m.
Mahaney Center for the Arts, Concert Hall
(Continental breakfast in lobby - 8:15 a.m.)
(Seniors chosen for PBK are notified by e-mail
on the Thursday before Commencement)
SENIOR AWARDS CEREMONY
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Mead Memorial Chapel
(Seniors winning awards are notified by e-mail
on the Thursday before Commencement)
DEPARTMENT/PROGRAM RECEPTIONS/LUNCHEONS
12:30 p.m.; Biology Department
McCardell Bicentennial Hall, Great Hall & Discovery Court
(all Bio, Neuro, ESBI, & MBBC seniors welcome)
12:30 p.m.; Chemistry & Biochemistry Department
McCardell Bicentennial Hall, 5th Floor Lounge
(all BioChem, Chem, & MBBC seniors welcome)
12:30 p.m.; Film & Media Culture
Mahaney Center for the Arts, Lower Lobby & Terrace
4:00 p.m.; Japanese Studies Department
Wonnacott Commons; Franklin Street
(all senior Japanese, Chinese, and East Asian Studies majors are welcome)
12:30 p.m.; Religion Department
Gifford Annex Lounge
12:30 p.m.; Sociology/Anthropology Department
Redfield Proctor
12:30; Spanish & Portuguese
Ross Fireplace Lounge
(all senior Spanish and Latin American Studies majors are welcome)
BACCALAUREATE
(There are two ceremonies--tickets will be needed)
2:30 p.m.; Mead Memorial Chapel
4:00 p.m.; Mead Memorial Chapel
President Liebowitz will deliver the Baccalaureate Address
SUNDAY, MAY 25
DEPARTMENT/PROGRAM BREAKFASTS
TBA
COMMENCEMENT PROCESSION LINEUP
9 - 9:45 a.m.
East side of Old Chapel
COMMENCEMENT PROCESSION BEGINS
9:50 a.m. Seniors filled out an "intent to graduate" form for the Registrar earlier in the year, in which they stated in which Department/Program they would march. Departments/Programs are lined up alphabetically.
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES
10:00 a.m.
The Central College Lawn (located in the vicinity of Munroe and Voter Halls).
Please come prepared for any kind of weather (warm coats, raincoats, umbrellas, sunscreen, hats, etc.), and please be sure to bring shoes appropriate for damp, grassy terrain.
A tent, to provide sun and rain protection, will be located behind the seating area, and we will provide a live broadcast of the ceremony in McCullough Social Space (directly behind the rain tent; handicap facilities available) and Mead Chapel (up the hill; handicap port-o-let available) for those who want to be inside.
COMMENCEMENT LUNCHEON
FOR GRADUATES AND THEIR GUESTS
Immediately Following the Ceremony
Mead Chapel Lawn / Rain site: All three dining halls (Proctor, Ross, and Atwater).
A complimentary luncheon will be served to graduates and their guests on Mead Chapel Lawn following the Commencement Exercises. Please meet your graduate there. In the event of rain, this lunch will be held in all three dining halls (Proctor, Ross, and Atwater). In either case, please prearrange a meeting place with your graduate.