2027 Commencement

The Commencement ceremony will take place outdoors on the Chapel Lawn and will proceed rain or shine. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis, and guests are also welcome to bring their own lawn seating if they prefer. Ushers will be available to assist with accessible seating accommodations.

Please refrain from approaching the stage or Chapel steps before and during the ceremony. Once the procession begins, do not cross the sidewalk leading toward the Chapel until the ceremony has officially started.

Be sure to check the weather forecast and dress accordingly. We encourage guests to bring rain gear, including umbrellas, as needed.

In the event of a thunderstorm, the ceremony will be paused, and students and guests will be guided to designated shelter areas on campus.

Commencement is a highly attended event, and heavy traffic and parking delays are expected. Please plan to arrive early to allow ample time for parking and getting to the ceremony.

Free parking is available on campus; however, parking lots fill quickly. Guests may be directed to park in more distant lots. Shuttles will run from designated remote parking areas to campus. Campus Safety will be on-site to direct traffic and maintain an orderly flow.

Overflow parking will be available at the Keuka Lake State Park for $8 per vehicle, approximately 10 minutes from campus. Shuttles will be available to and from Keuka Lake State Park, as well as other parking lots across campus. If you are required to park at the State Park, this process could add up to 30 minutes to your arrival time. We strongly encourage everyone to arrive early for the ceremony, regardless of where you are instructed to park. The Commencement Ceremony will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m.

Accessible parking is available for guests with a valid handicap tag. Golf carts will also be available to assist with transportation between parking areas and campus locations.

Please note: Street parking along Central Avenue is not permitted.

You can view the Campus Parking Map to help plan your arrival and navigate campus.

On-Campus Accommodations

Keuka College offers on-campus accommodations through our guest houses and seasonal lodging options. Visit stay.keuka.edu to explore available accommodations and check availability. These options tend to fill quickly, so we encourage you to book early!

Hotels & Off-Campus Accommodations

The following hotels are offering discounted group rates for Keuka College Commencement Weekend, May 13–16, 2027. Availability is limited, and guests are responsible for making and paying for their own reservations directly with the hotel.

Please Note: All hotel reservations must be made and paid for directly with the hotel. We recommend booking early to secure your accommodations for Commencement Weekend.

Best Western Plus Vineyard Inn & Suites

• Address: 142 Lake Street, Penn Yan, NY 14527
• Phone: (315) 536-8473
• Dates: Discounted group rates available for stays from May 13–16, 2027.
• Group Name: Keuka Commencement 2027
• Minimum Stay: Two nights required to receive the group rate.
• Booking Deadline: April 13, 2027.

Booking Details: Please mention Keuka Commencement 2027 when booking to request the group rate. Rates are subject to availability and are not guaranteed once the room block is full.

Hampton Inn Penn Yan

• Address: 110 Mace Street, Penn Yan, NY 14527
• Phone: (315) 536-8202
• Dates: Discounted group rates available for stays from May 13–16, 2027.
• Group Name: Keuka College Commencement Weekend 2027
• Minimum Stay: Two nights required to receive the group rate.
• Booking Deadline: April 1, 2027.

Booking Details: Please mention Keuka College Commencement Weekend 2027 when booking to request the group rate. Rates are subject to availability and are not guaranteed once the room block is full.

Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Penn Yan

• Address: 124 Elm Street, Penn Yan, NY 14527
• Phone: (315) 517-1074
• Dates: Discounted group rates available for stays from May 13–16, 2027.
• Minimum Stay: Two nights required to receive the group rate.
• Booking Deadline: April 13, 2027.

Booking Details: Please use the booking link below to access the Keuka College Commencement 2027 group rate. Rates are subject to availability and are not guaranteed once the room block is full.

Friday, May 14 | 5 p.m. | Norton Chapel

Baccalaureate is a reflective ceremony where graduates celebrate their achievements, express gratitude, and look ahead to the future.

Parents and families can share messages of encouragement on “Baccalaureate Blessing” tags, which will hang on the Class of 2014 pergola for graduates to walk through as they enter the Chapel. Tags will be available outside the Chapel starting at 3:30 p.m.

Pre-order flowers for your graduate on their big day! Online ordering information and the pre-order link will be available soon. All orders will be available for pickup on site on Commencement Day.

The Commencement ceremony will be livestreamed so that family and friends can join the celebration from anywhere. 

For guests on campus who prefer or need to view the ceremony indoors, livestream viewing will be available at the following locations:

• Hegeman Hall, Room 109
• Dahlstrom Student Center, Hawkins Lounge
• Dahlstrom Student Center, Geiser Dining Commons

Graduates can now order their caps and gowns online through Jostens. The deadline to place an online order is April 8, 2027. We encourage graduates to order early to ensure they receive their regalia in time for Commencement.

For questions about ordering, please contact Jostens at 800-854-7464.

Order Your Cap and Gown

Friday, May 14 | 5 p.m. | Norton Chapel

The Baccalaureate is a reflective ceremony where graduates celebrate their achievements, express gratitude, and look ahead to the future. All graduates are encouraged to participate in this special celebration and should wear their cap and gown.

Student lineup time and location will be announced at a later date.

Please remember to wear your cap and gown for this ceremony.

On the day of Commencement, graduates should plan to:

• Arrive on campus: TBD
• Report to Lightner Library: TBD
• Be sure to bring your cap and gown to the Library.
• Allow extra time for traffic and parking delays.

Please plan accordingly, as significant traffic is expected. Campus Safety will be directing traffic and parking to help ensure everyone arrives smoothly.

When you arrive at the Library:

Pick up your name card at the table, organized by last name. Your name card will include:

• First and last name
• Latin honors (if applicable)
• Seat number (you must sit according to the letter/number listed on your card; it’s okay if there are empty seats next to you).

After picking up your card, proceed to your lineup location:

• Undergraduates (Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science): Downstairs in the Academic Learning Commons
• Graduate students (Master’s degrees): First floor of the Library

Faculty, Trustee & Executive Cabinet Lineup Locations:

• Trustees & Executive Cabinet: TBD
• Faculty: TBD

Important:

DO NOT leave any belongings in the Library. Plan ahead—any items you bring must be carried with you during the procession or arranged to be held by a guest.

What are Latin Honors?

Undergraduate students who achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher at the time of the ceremony are awarded a gold tassel by the Office of Records and Registration.

Latin Honors designations include:

• Cum Laude
• Magna Cum Laude
• Summa Cum Laude

Please note: Graduate students are not eligible for Latin Honors.
 

Tassel Station

Students receiving Latin Honors can pick up their gold tassel in the lobby of Lightner Library the morning of Commencement.

Additional items will be available at the Tassel Station, including:

• Black graduating tassels
• Bobby pins
• Safety pins
• Band-Aids
• Tissues

Tassel Placement

Undergraduates (Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Science): Tassel starts on the right (you will be prompted during the ceremony to move your tassel).

Graduate students (Master’s degrees): Tassel should be placed on the left and remains there throughout the ceremony.

Photographs taken during Commencement Weekend will be available following the ceremony. Check your email or visit Keuka College's Instagram and Facebook accounts for updates and access to the full photo gallery.

Following the ceremony, students living on campus may return to their residence hall rooms to pack up their belongings.

Residence Halls will close at 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 15.

Please note: There will be no exceptions to remain on campus past this date.

Graduates will retain access to their keuka.edu email account and associated services for up to six months after graduation.

If you wish to save any emails, files, or important information, please do so within six months of your graduation date. After this period, your account and its contents will no longer be accessible.

We want to hear about your experiences at Keuka College and your plans after graduation. The HEDS Graduating Students Survey will be available soon.

Your feedback is valuable and helps us improve the Keuka College experience for future students. Check back for more information on how to participate!