2025 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 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

Our on-campus apartments are fully booked.

Hotels & Off-Campus Accommodations 
 

Best Western Plus Vineyard Inn & Suites

Use the code KEUKAFF to receive 15% off standard rates.

• Address: 142 Lake Street, Penn Yan, New York 14527
• Phone: (315) 536-8473

Hampton Inn 

Rooms available at a special group rate for Keuka College Commencement Weekend. 

• Dates: Discounted group rates available for stays from May 15–18.
• 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.
• Minimum Stay: A two-night minimum is required to receive the group rate.
• Booking Deadline: Reservations must be made by April 2, 2025.
• Address: 110 Mace St, Penn Yan, NY 14527
• Phone: (315) 536-8202 

Microtel

• Phone: (315) 517-1074
• Address: 124 Elm St, Penn Yan, NY 14527
• Cutoff Date: Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Booking Online:

Enter the Group Code: 051625KEU when prompted.

Book Online Here

Booking By Phone:

Call (315) 517-1074

Reference the Keuka College Commencement 2025 Block to secure the group rate.

Friday, May 16 | 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.

Photographs taken during the weekend of Commencement will be available online a few weeks following the event. The link to access the photos will be shared to students through email, and will also be promoted on the College's Instagram and Facebook accounts.

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.

Pre-order Flowers Now

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

View Livestream

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

The deadline to order your cap and gown was April 8. Some extras may be available for purchase at the campus bookstore, but availability is not guaranteed.

Friday, May 16 | 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: Alumni Lounge, Office of Admissions, Ball Hall at 9 a.m.
• Faculty: Hegeman Hall, Room 109 / Lobby at 9 a.m.

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 the weekend of Commencement will be available online a few weeks following the event. The link to access the photos will be shared to students through email, and will also be promoted on the College's Instagram and Facebook accounts.

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 17.

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. Please take a few minutes to complete the HEDS Graduating Students Survey.

Click here to start the survey.

Your feedback is valuable and helps us improve the Keuka College experience for future students!