Individual departments and programs celebrate the graduates majoring in their discipline. Department awards and prizes are presented at these receptions or at other end-of-year events of the departments’ choosing. Receptions are held on Friday and Saturday afternoons. 

Reception Schedule

  • McCardell Bicentennial Hall Commencement 2026 Departmental Reception

    Please join the departments of Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Climate Sciences, Geology, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Neuroscience, Physics, and Psychology for a reception celebrating graduates in these disciplines. 

    The following departments invite grads and their guests to join them in the locations listed below.

    Biology | Great Hall | 2:00-3:15 pm
    Chemistry | Great Hall | 2:00-3:15 pm
    Molecular Biology and Biochemistry | Great Hall | 2:00-3:15 pm

    Earth and Climate Sciences | MBH 417 | 2:30-3:15 pm

    Geology | Great Hall | 3:45-5:00 pm
    Neuroscience | Great Hall | 3:45-5:00 pm
    Physics | Great Hall | 3:45-5:00 pm
    Psychology | Great Hall | 3:45-5:00 pm

    McCardell Bicentennial Hall

  • Mahaney Arts Center Commencement 2026 Departmental Reception

    Please join the departments of History of Arts and Architecture, International and Global Studies, International Politics and Economics, and Music for a reception celebrating graduates in these disciplines. 

    The following departments invite grads and their guests to join them in the locations listed below.

    History of Arts and Architecture | Seeler Studio Theater | 2:30-3:15 pm
    International and Global Studies | MAC 232 | 2:30-3:15 pm

    Mahaney Arts Center

  • Axinn Center Commencement 2026 Departmental Reception

    Please join the departments of Black Studies, Gender, Sexuality and Feminist Studies, and Italian for a reception celebrating graduates in these disciplines. 

    The following departments invite grads and their guests to join them in the locations listed below.

    Black Studies | Abernethy Room (AXN 221) | 2:45-3:30 pm
    Gender, Sexuality and Feminist Studies | AXN 220 | 2:45-3:30 pm
    Italian | Abernethy Room (AXN 221) | 3:45-4:30 pm

    Axinn Center

  • Axinn Center Commencement 2026 Departmental Reception

    Please join the departments of American Studies, Classics and Classical Studies, Comparative Literature, English, Film and Media Culture, History, Literary Studies, and Religion for a reception celebrating graduates in these disciplines.

    The following departments invite grads and their guests to join them in the locations listed below.

    English | AXN 232 | 3:30-4:15 pm

    Religion | AXN 220 | 3:30-4:15 pm

    History | Abernethy Room (AXN 221) | 3:30-5:00 pm

    Film and Media Culture | AXN 229 | 3:30-5:30 pm

    American Studies | American Studies Conference Room | 4:45-5:30 pm

    Classics and Classical Studies, Comparative Literature, Literary Studies | AXN 232 | 4:45-5:30 pm

    Axinn Center

  • McCardell Bicentennial Hall Commencement 2026 Departmental Reception

    Please join the departments of Anthropology and Political Science for a reception celebrating graduates in these disciplines.

    The following departments invite grads and their guests to join them in the locations listed below.

    Anthropology | MBH 219 | 3:30-4:15 pm

    Political Science | MBH 216 | 4:45-5:30 pm

    McCardell Bicentennial Hall

  • Mahaney Arts Center Commencement 2026 Departmental Reception

    Please join the departments of Arabic, Chinese, Dance, German, Japanese Studies, Luso-Hispanic Studies, Philosophy, Russian, and Theatre for a reception celebrating graduates in these disciplines. 

    The following departments invite grads and their guests to join them in the locations listed below.

    Arabic | MAC 221 | 3:30-4:15 pm

    Dance | MAC Dance Theatre (110) | 3:30-4:15 pm

    Japanese Studies | MAC 232 | 3:30-4:15 pm

    Russian | MAC 125 | 3:30-4:15 pm

    Theatre | Seeler Studio Theatre | 3:30-4:15 pm

    Chinese | MAC 232 | 4:45-5:30 pm

    German | MAC 121 | 4:45-5:30 pm

    Luso-Hispanic Studies | Seeler Studio Theatre | 4:45-5:30 pm

    Mahaney Arts Center