2026 Commencement
Congratulations on your upcoming graduation from Keuka College! We’re thrilled that you’ll be participating in this year’s commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 16 at 10 a.m.
Events for Graduating Students
Please note that this schedule is subject to change.
Thursday, May 14
6–8 p.m. - Graduation Celebration Party, Point Neamo
Friday, May 15
8–9 a.m. - Breakfast, Geiser Dining Commons
9:30–10:30 a.m. - Commencement Rehearsal, Norton Chapel
Noon–1 p.m. - Lunch, Geiser Dining Commons
5 p.m. - Baccalaureate, Norton Chapel
Saturday, May 16
8–9 a.m. - Breakfast, Geiser Dining Commons
10 a.m. - Commencement Ceremony, Chapel Lawn
Events for Family & Friends
Friday, May 15
5 p.m. - Baccalaureate, Norton Chapel
Saturday, May 16
10 a.m. - Commencement Ceremony, Chapel Lawn
Important Details for Families & Guests
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.
Campus parking lots fill quickly. Guests may be directed to park on the hill or 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.
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 Reservations
Keuka College offers three guest houses on campus, linked below. Accommodations are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and you may book directly using the links provided.
Lakeside Lodge
Allardice House
Allen House
Hotels & Off-Campus Accommodations
Best Western Plus Vineyard Inn & Suites
- Address: 142 Lake Street, Penn Yan, New York 14527
- Phone: (315) 536-8473
- Dates: Discounted group rates available for stays from May 14–17.
Booking Details: Mention Keuka College Commencement to secure the group rate. Availability is limited, and the group rate is not guaranteed once the room block is full. Guests are responsible for booking and paying for their own rooms directly with the hotel.
Minimum Stay: A two-night minimum is required to receive the group rate.
Booking Deadline: Reservations must be made by April 2, 2026.
Hampton Inn
- Address: 110 Mace St, Penn Yan, NY 14527
- Phone: (315) 536-8202
- Dates: Discounted group rates available for stays from May 14–17.
Booking Details: Mention Keuka College Commencement to secure the group rate. Availability is limited, and the group rate is not guaranteed once the room block is full. Guests are responsible for booking and paying for their own rooms directly with the hotel.
Minimum Stay: A two-night minimum is required to receive the group rate.
Booking Deadline: Reservations must be made by April 2, 2026.
Microtel
- Address: 124 Elm St, Penn Yan, NY 14527
- Phone: (315) 517-1074
- Dates: Discounted group rates available for stays from May 14–17.
Booking Details: Mention Keuka College Commencement to secure the group rate. Availability is limited, and the group rate is not guaranteed once the room block is full. Guests are responsible for booking and paying for their own rooms directly with the hotel.
Minimum Stay: A two-night minimum is required to receive the group rate.
Booking Deadline: Reservations must be made by April 2, 2026.
Friday, May 15 | 5 p.m. | Norton Chapel
Baccalaureate is a reflective ceremony where graduates celebrate their achievements, express gratitude, and look ahead to the future. All students are invited to participate in this celebration of their accomplishments. 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., and graduates are welcome to take photos and keep their tags as a memento.
Pre-order flowers for your graduate on their big day! All online orders will be available for pickup on site the day of the commencement.
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 Hall
Important Details for Graduating Students
The deadline for ordering your cap and gown is Thursday, April 9, 2026. Orders are typically shipped within 5 weeks.
Friday, May 15 | 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.
Parents and families are invited to share messages of encouragement on Baccalaureate Blessing tags. These tags will hang on the Class of 2014 pergola, which graduates will walk through as they enter the chapel. Tags will be available outside the chapel beginning at 3:30 p.m., and graduates are welcome to take photos and keep their tags as a memento.
Student lineup begins at 4:15 p.m. in Lightner Library.
Please remember to wear your cap and gown for this ceremony.
On the day of Commencement, graduates should plan to:
- Arrive on campus by 8:30 a.m.
- Report to Lightner Library no later than 9 a.m.
- 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 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.
During the ceremony, you will receive your diploma cover. Inside, you’ll find important materials, including contact information for various campus offices and details on how to request transcripts (you may order transcripts using the “after degree awarded” option).
Diplomas will be mailed approximately 4–6 weeks after your degree has been officially conferred. Please note that Keuka College reserves the right to withhold diplomas until any outstanding financial obligations have been satisfied.
Important Reminders:
- Participation in Commencement and the procession does not necessarily mean your degree has been conferred.
- Students must be within 18 credits of completing all degree requirements to be eligible to participate in Commencement, with no more than 3 of those credits being Field Period credits. Degrees will not be conferred until all academic requirements—including any incomplete grades, outstanding coursework, and Field Periods—are fully satisfied.
Diploma Name:
Diplomas will display the student’s legal first name, middle initial, and last name. If you wish for your name to appear differently, please contact the Office of Records and Registration at [email protected].
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 16.
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 at a later date, and you’ll receive a notification once it opens.
Your feedback is valuable and helps us improve the Keuka College experience for future students!