Commencement Schedule 2025

Friday, May 16

7 p.m. ► Baccalaureate
Gano Chapel

Saturday, May 17

9 a.m. ► Mabee Center doors open
Seating is first-come, first served. See below for Special Accommodation seating. We strongly suggest that elderly and very young family members save seats while parents take photos of Walk Around the Quad.

9:15 a.m. ► Candidates report to Gano Chapel for lineup

10 a.m. ► Walk Around the Quad
The hill behind Mathes Hall slopes steeply downward and there are many steps into the Mabee Center. There will be 15 minutes for family members to make their way into the Mabee Center before the ceremony begins. Note: This route is not wheelchair accessible.

10:30 a.m. ► Commencement Ceremony, Mabee Center
Duration is typically 1½ – 2 hours

12:30 p.m. ► New Alumni Photo Party
One last opportunity to take photos with friends and faculty before turning in regalia and leaving The Hill to begin your own celebrations.

1:30 p.m. ► Regalia Return Table Closes
The Mabee Center

The Mabee Center has parking lot level access at the northeast and southeast entrances. There are approximately 1,800 folding chairs on the ground level and 1,400 bleacher seats available. Seats in the general seating area are unlimited; no tickets required. Note: The Mabee Center is not air-conditioned.

Please contact Kelsey Hildebrandt, director of alumni relations and signature events, at (816) 415-7681 or at hildebrandtk@william.jewell.edu, if you have guests who need sign language interpretation (by March 3) or who have wheelchairs or other special seating needs (by May 2). A maximum of six seats per candidate may be reserved in the Special Accommodation seating area.