Student Information
Congratulations, seniors! In May we celebrate your academic achievements with a variety of activities, culminating in the conferring of degrees at a formal ceremony on Commencement Day. Please take a moment to review this information and understand how you need to prepare for graduation.
In February, the Registrar’s Office sent an Intent to Graduate survey to seniors eligible to graduate in the Spring 2025 semester. You must meet all graduation requirements to receive a diploma on stage during the Commencement ceremony. Students unsure whether they have met all requirements should contact the Registrar’s Office at registrar@middlebury.edu.
Seniors who expect to complete their degree requirements in August 2025 or by March 1, 2026, are also invited to attend Commencement. You will receive an Intent to Participate survey via email in mid-March. You must complete this survey if you intend to participate in Commencement. Please review the chart below for important details and deadlines for non-graduating seniors.
Senior Deadlines
Seniors must meet the following deadlines to participate in the Commencement ceremony.
Monday, April 28
- Returning Febs must register with Residential Life to arrange for on-campus Commencement Weekend housing. Please see the section on this page regarding Housing.
- Order printed graduation announcements from Jostens or the College Store for delivery before Commencement.
Friday, May 2
- Deadline for non-graduating seniors to notify the Registrar’s Office of any change in plans to participate in Commencement.
Monday, May 19
- Decline Participation
Notify the Registrar’s Office by noon if you are not planning to attend graduation.
Wednesday–Friday, May 21–23
8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
- Cap and Gown Distribution
Pick up cap, gown, and keepsake Commencement invitations at the middstore.
Saturday, May 24
9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
- Final Cap and Gown Distribution
Last chance to pick up cap, gown, and keepsake Commencement invitations at the middstore.
Sunday, May 25
Commencement Day
- 9:00 a.m. Processional Lineup
Seniors check in at registration tents in front of the Davis Family Library. - 11:00 p.m. Graduate Departure
Graduates and Senior Febs must be moved out of residence halls.
Non-graduating Seniors
Participation
Non-graduating seniors who will complete their degree requirements after May but before March of the following year can participate in the May 2025 Commencement ceremonies as outlined below. May 2 is the deadline to let the Registrar’s Office know of any change to your plans regarding participation in Commencement.
| Graduation Term | Participation Details | Diplomas & Canes |
|---|---|---|
| August 2025 Graduates | You can fully participate in Commencement. You will wear a cap and gown, march with your department, your name will be called, and you will cross the stage. | You will receive a blank diploma case and your cane. |
| Ninth Semester EDST Students | You can fully participate in Commencement. You will wear a cap and gown, march with your department, your name will be called, and you will cross the stage. | You will receive a blank diploma case and your cane. |
| February 2026 Graduates | You will wear a cap and gown and march with your department. However, you will remain seated, and your name will not be called, and you will not cross the stage. |
Housing
Non-graduating seniors (those completing degree requirements after May 2025 but by February 2026) can stay on campus during Commencement Week. Students wishing to stay must either register to participate in Commencement with the Registrar’s office or sign up to participate in senior week activities with the Student Activities office. The Registrar’s and Student Activities Offices will share with Residential Life directly those who have registered to stay on campus.
Returning Febs must register with Residential Life no later than April 28, using this form, to make special arrangements for on-campus weekend housing. Weekend housing is available from 5:00 p.m. on the Thursday of Commencement Weekend to 11:00 p.m. on Sunday.
Please note: All students must move out of residence halls by 11:00 p.m. on Commencement Day so the College can prepare rooms for Reunion Weekend and Language Schools.
Feb Celebration
Questions about the Feb Celebration in February should be directed to febceleb@middlebury.edu.
Regalia and Attire
Middlebury College provides complimentary regalia (caps and gowns), which may be kept as souvenirs. You may pick up caps, gowns, and two keepsake Commencement invitations from the middstore (802-443-5334) May 21–23 (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) and May 24 (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). You do not need to pre-order your cap and gown; when you go to the middstore to pick up your cap and gown, you’ll be able to choose from a selection of sizes.
Please honor this dignified occasion and your family by wearing appropriate clothing and footwear. Weekend attire is typically smart casual. All ceremony participants must wear regalia at Commencement.
Tips
- You wear the tassel on the right side of the mortarboard until after the bachelor’s degree is conferred, moving the tassel to the left.
- The dye in the gowns may bleed when wet. If it rains, you may want to wear rain gear beneath the gown to protect your clothing. The College provides ponchos at the lineup that you can use for this purpose.
- Remember to remove your tassel before throwing your cap!
Senior Awards
Individual departments and programs will present departmental awards and prizes at their Commencement Weekend receptions or other end-of-year events of their choosing. Departments and programs will notify students.
Phi Beta Kappa
Students elected to Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest academic honor society, are notified via email no later than 5:00 p.m. the Thursday before Commencement. The Phi Beta Kappa ceremony is Saturday at 9:00 a.m. in Wilson Hall at the McCullough Student Center. Continental breakfast is available at the Grille, across from Wilson Hall, at 8:30 a.m. Phi Beta Kappa recipients and their guests are welcome.
Class Photo
The senior class will gather during senior week for a class photo. Check the Senior Week schedule for details. The senior Week Committee will provide order information.
Commencement Day Instructions
- Arrive at the Davis Family Library at 9:00 a.m.
- Check in at the correct registration tent. You will check in alphabetically by last name (look for signs on each of four tents). You will receive the tassel for your mortarboard here!
- Proceed to the walkway along Starr Hall and the Axinn Center—only after checking in at the registration tent.
- Locate the department/program which you chose to march with. Signs for each department will be posted along both sides of the walkway in alphabetical order. You will march in two lines, divided roughly in half by department (A–I and I–T). Line up alphabetically by last name within your department, as indicated on the sign. Staff from the Dean of Students Office will be there to assist.
- Remain in line and wait for the two student marshals to begin the procession. All seniors should be registered and lined up by 9:40 a.m. We do not wait for late arrivals!
- The procession begins at 9:50 a.m. Please remain in double lines as you march.
- As prompted by the student marshals, the procession will stop when it reaches the senior seating area. The two lines of seniors turn to face each other and step back to let the faculty pass between them. Please applaud your faculty as they pass.
- Once faculty have passed through, follow the student marshals to your seats.
- At the end of the ceremony, you will “recess” in a similar fashion. Stand at your seats and file out after the faculty in the same order you marched in—the recessional proceeds up the hill to the chapel lawn for the Commencement luncheon. Please prearrange a meeting place with your family.
Pro tip from the Department of Event Management: Take a few minutes to view Commencement videos from previous years to know what to expect on the day of Commencement!
Diploma
The folder you receive on stage at Commencement contains your diploma. Please take it with you after the ceremony.
Graduate Departure
All graduates and Senior Febs must move out of residence halls no later than 11:00 p.m. on Commencement Day. This deadline is enforced so rooms can be prepared for Reunion Weekend and Language Schools. Be prepared! If possible, ship nonessential items home in advance. Pack remaining items during Senior Week.