Commencement Ceremonies
Sunday, May 17, 2026
George F. Collins Jr. Sports & Convention Center (524 Sixth Street)
What Are Commencement Ceremonies?
Date: Sunday, May 17, 2026
Location: George F. Collins Jr. Sports & Convention Center
Commencement ceremonies are formal academic celebrations that recognize and honor students who have completed the requirements for their degrees. During Commencement, graduates are publicly acknowledged, degrees are formally conferred by the university, and families, friends, faculty, and staff gather to celebrate this important academic milestone.
Baker University’s Commencement ceremonies reflect the institution’s academic traditions and values, featuring a formal processional, commencement address, recognition of degree candidates by school and program, and the symbolic turning of the tassel to mark the transition from student to graduate.
Participation in Commencement is an opportunity for graduates to celebrate their achievements alongside their peers and to be formally recognized as members of the Baker University alumni community.
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Commencement Day Attractions
Quayle Bible Collection
The Quayle Bible Collection is housed in the Spencer Wing of Collins Library and will be open by appointment only during Commencement weekend.
Please email library@bakerU.edu before Commencement weekend to make an appointment.
Old Castle Museum
The Old Castle Museum, located at 511 5th St., will be open by appointment only on Saturday during Commencement weekend. Please email archives@bakerU.edu before Commencement weekend to make an appointment.
Holt-Russell Gallery
Patterns of Memory: Investigations of Culture, Heritage, and Experiences.
The Holt-Russell Gallery is located on the main floor of Parmenter Hall at 706 Dearborn St.
Saturday, May 16, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sunday, May 17, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wildcat Wearhouse
The Wildcat Wearhouse is located inside the Harter Student Union at 615 Dearborn St. and will be open during Commencement weekend.
Commencement Day Instructions
Arrival Time & Parking
Candidates for degrees must arrive at Mabee Memorial Hall Gymnasium (605 Sixth Street) for check-in at least 30 minutes before their commencement ceremony. They will gather in Mabee Hall for the graduate lineup. Please allow sufficient time to travel to Baldwin City, find parking, and arrive with cap and gown.
Under the direction of the university marshals, candidates will gather in the graduate lineup area for the processional march.
In case of inclement weather, candidates will gather in the north corridor of Collins Gym.
Processional & Seating
University marshals will guide the candidates for degrees into the correct processional line. Marshals will lead the Kansas City St. Andrew Pipes and Drums, flag bearers, and degree candidates into Collins Gym through the Sixth Street entrance and direct degree candidates to their seats for the commencement ceremony. For safety reasons, we ask that ceremony attendees remain seated and stay clear of the designated processional walking paths.
Commencement Ceremony
University marshals and administrators seated at the podium will direct and lead candidates for degrees during the commencement ceremony. Please follow the directions of the university marshals. All candidates for degrees should wear their mortarboard tassels on the right side until signaled to move the tassel during the commencement ceremony.
Recessional
University marshals will direct and lead candidates for degrees during the recessional. Please keep moving after exiting Collins Gym so that those behind you can exit promptly. Once all degree candidates have exited the gymnasium, audience and family members will be permitted to exit.
Inclement Weather Plan
Note: Any changes to the check-in location because of inclement weather will be posted here, as well as emailed to graduates at their Baker email address in as timely a manner as possible. We appreciate your understanding as Kansas weather can be unpredictable. It is possible a decision to change the graduate check-in location could be made within hours of the ceremony. We will do our best to make the safest decision in the quickest amount of time.
Collins Gym Limited Seating
Graduates should refer to their graduate communications on seating limitations or contact the Academic Affairs Office at academicaffairs@bakerU.edu. Overflow guests will be directed to Rice Auditorium (404 Eighth Street) to view the livestream of the ceremony.
Submit Intent to Graduate
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Degree candidates must submit the intent to graduate form before the completion of all degree requirements.
It is recommended that students file their intent to graduate form at least six months before the expected completion date.
The deadline for submission of the intent to graduate form is March 1 for participation in the May Commencement Ceremony.
Graduation Resources
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College of Arts and Sciences and School of Education Undergraduate Programs
If you have questions related to graduation resources, please contact the records office records@bakerU.edu.
School of Professional & Graduate Studies and School of Education Graduate Programs
If you have questions related to graduation resources, please contact the SPGS records office academicrecords@bakerU.edu. -
Your degree will be posted to your official academic record after the following has been completed:
- You have filed the intent to graduate form
- You have completed all degree requirements
- The university has validated your degree completion
The “Degree Awarded” date posted to your transcript coincides with one of the following:
- The last day of your final Baker course
- The date of validation to the registrar of completion of final bachelor’s-level degree requirement(s) through Baker’s Prior Learning Assessment Center
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The determination of scholastic honors for graduates earning associate and bachelor’s degrees is determined upon completion of all degree requirements and posted to the transcript in association with the degree statement. For the purpose of recognizing scholastic honors in the commencement ceremony program, this determination is made based on GPA earned by March 15 prior to commencement. Scholastic honor cords are not part of the commencement regalia.
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Participation in a commencement ceremony is not required but encouraged. To participate, you must complete all degree requirements by August 31 for participation in the spring ceremony.
Students who have completed their bachelor’s program core courses must have a plan on file with the registrar’s office validating how they will meet their final outstanding requirements by the August 31 deadline. This plan is submitted with the intent to graduate form.
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All students are assessed a nonrefundable graduation fee. In some degree programs this fee is incorporated into the tuition costs. Other degree programs assess this fee at the time the intent to graduate form is filed. This is a fee associated with the many and varied resources necessary for tracking, awarding and conferring degrees. No additional fee is charged for standard regalia to students who choose to participate in the commencement ceremony.
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Announcements & Rings
All graduates may order announcements and class rings from Herff Jones.
Cap & Gown
Graduates and degree candidates who plan to participate in the commencement ceremony must place their cap and gown order online from Herff Jones by April 1.
After this date, please contact the Wildcat Wearhouse at holly.miller@bakerU.edu or 785.594.2450 for cap and gown availability.
Photography
A GradImages photographer will take photos of the graduates as they receive their diplomas.
If family members take personal photographs, they should avoid disrupting the flow of graduates as they return to their seats after receiving their diploma covers and should take care to not obscure the view of audience members and other commencement guests.
Special Needs
Seating for guests in wheelchairs or for whom walking is difficult is available on a first-come, first-served basis.