The Commencement procession begins at 9 a.m. with the ceremony starting at 9:30 am. 

Commencement usually concludes between 12:15 and 12:30 pm. 

Tickets are not required. Commencement is held outdoors, rain or shine. We ask that guests be seated by 8:45 a.m. as the academic procession begins at 9 a.m. Commencement exercises will begin at 9:30 a.m. All seats on the Green have favorable sightlines to the large video screen with open captions. Seating will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Remote viewing will be provided in several indoor locations for those guests wishing to avoid heat, sun, or rain.

Seniors march in alphabetical order. March order lists, with the number assigned to each graduate, will be posted in the main hall of Baker-Berry Library the Friday before Commencement. At a signal from the undergraduate dean, the class marshals and the bagpiper will lead the seniors up Wheelock Street to the Green. Once on the Green, the seniors will form two lines through which the Academic Procession will advance toward the platform, providing an opportunity for acknowledgment of the accomplishments of the seniors and the support of faculty and administrators. The seniors and graduate and professional school students then march to their seats in the front sections.

Hanover weather can vary widely from sunny and hot to cold and rainy in mid-June. Since Dartmouth's Commencement ceremony is located outdoors, please dress comfortably, keeping in mind the weather. Attendees may be most comfortable in shoes with low or flat heels due to uneven ground.

No bags will be allowed in the procession to the Green, in the seating areas reserved for graduating students (shown in dark green on the seating map), or on stage. Only small items, including phones, wallets, and small clutches (4.5” x 6.5”) are allowed.

In addition to large bags and luggage, artificial noisemakers (including air horns, bullhorns, or other amplified sound) are prohibited. Umbrellas are only permitted when there is heavy rain (read about Dartmouth’s severe weather plan for Commencement here).

These policies help ensure Dartmouth’s common rules of conduct at Commencement. Actions that prevent speakers from being heard, block the view of the stage, or prevent students from crossing the stage are not permitted.

Hanover weather can vary widely from sunny and hot to cold and rainy in mid-June. Since Dartmouth's Commencement ceremony is located outdoors, please dress comfortably, keeping in mind the weather. Guests may be most comfortable in shoes with low or flat heels due to uneven ground. Please bring hats, sunscreen, raincoats, etc. as necessary. Business Casual is appropriate for most of the receptions and other events.

Please note that artificial noisemakers (including air horns or bullhorns) are not permitted. Umbrellas are only permitted when there is heavy rain (read about Dartmouth’s severe weather plan for Commencement here).
This policy helps preserve Dartmouth’s common rules of conduct at Commencement. Actions that prevent speakers from being heard, block the view of the stage, or prevent students from crossing the stage are not permitted.

Commencement exercises will be held, rain or shine. Please bring raincoats and umbrellas, if appropriate, but please note that umbrellas are only permitted if there is heavy rain. This is to ensure umbrellas do not block the view of other graduates or guests.

The ceremony will be delayed if there are dangerously high winds, lightning, or other severe weather. The ceremony would be canceled only in the highly unlikely event that such weather persists. Information about a delay or cancellation may be obtained on Commencement morning by accessing the individual graduate school websites (see full list). These resources will be updated throughout Commencement weekend with any venue changes, delays, or cancellations.

Umbrellas are ONLY permitted when there is heavy rain. We ask that you be considerate of those sitting behind you and use an umbrella only when necessary. Umbrellas are not permitted as sun shades. Please arrive prepared for the weather; remember your hat, sunscreen, raincoat, etc.

Remote viewing will be provided in several indoor locations around the Green for those guests wishing to avoid heat, sun, or rain.

If you bring a pet to the Commencement ceremony, please be aware that the animal must remain on a leash at all times. Pets are not permitted in seating areas. Pets are not permitted in residence halls.

Smoking and the use of tobacco products (including smokeless tobacco) are prohibited in all facilities, grounds, areas owned, operated or occupied by Dartmouth with no exceptions. This includes, but is not limited to, all indoor and outdoor areas and properties.

The president hosts a reception for all graduating students and their guests. The informal affair offers live music, refreshments, and a time to mingle with fellow graduates and their families. Appropriate attire is business casual.

Immediately following the commencement rehearsal on Saturday, seniors will process to the Bema for Class Day, entering the Bema at approximately 10 a.m. The program will include speeches by seniors and faculty, as well as an awards ceremony. Guests are invited to join the graduates at this event. The Bema is located at the end of a wide gravel path that branches off of Observatory Road behind North Fayerweather. Parking is very limited near the Bema, so guests should plan to walk to the event. The space is an outdoor amphitheater with a limited number of chairs, available on a first-come, first-served basis. Since many guests will need to sit on the ground, family and friends are encouraged to bring blankets to sit on. Seniors will sit together on the grass in an area in front of the stage. The space is wheelchair accessible, but we recommend guests with mobility disabilities arrive by 9:30 a.m., as the final path to the Bema is unpaved.

Baccalaureate is a multifaith service of thanksgiving and celebration for the completion of the undergraduate and graduate careers of Dartmouth students. The service is conducted by the Tucker Foundation. This event is open to the public.

Commencement for the Class of 2025 is on Sunday, June 15, 2025.

Seniors assemble at Thompson Arena 8:15 a.m. and must be in their assigned seats by 8:30 a.m. The doors will be locked at 8:30 a.m. sharp. Seniors will not be admitted to the Commencement procession after 8:30 a.m. Only graduating seniors are permitted in the assembly area; family and guests should go directly to the Commencement seating area.

Graduate and professional school students gather at their designated assembly sites (contact your department directly for details).

Hanover weather can vary widely from sunny and hot to cold and rainy in mid-June. Since Dartmouth's Commencement ceremony is located outdoors, please dress comfortably, keeping in mind the weather. Attendees may be most comfortable in shoes with low or flat heels due to uneven ground.

No bags will be allowed in the procession to the Green, in the seating areas reserved for graduating students (shown in dark green on the seating map), or on stage. Only small items, including phones, wallets, and small clutches (4.5” x 6.5”) are allowed.

In addition to large bags and luggage, artificial noisemakers (including air horns, bullhorns, or other amplified sound) are prohibited. Umbrellas are only permitted when there is heavy rain (read about Dartmouth’s severe weather plan for Commencement here).

These policies help ensure Dartmouth’s common rules of conduct at Commencement. Actions that prevent speakers from being heard, block the view of the stage, or prevent students from crossing the stage are not permitted.

Graduating students will pick up their diplomas at the following locations immediately after the ceremony, unless otherwise indicated:

• Undergraduates: Reiss Hall, Baker-Berry Library (until 2 p.m.)
• Geisel School of Medicine: Graduates will receive their diplomas at their Class Day Ceremony (May 10).
• Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies (AM, MS and PhD): Guarini School Office, Room 102, Anonymous Hall - 64 College St.
• MALS: First Floor Wentworth Hall, MALS Office.
• MHCDS: Diplomas will be mailed.
• TDI: Graduates will receive their diplomas at their Class Day Ceremony.
• Thayer School: Cummings, Great Hall (until 2 p.m.)
• Tuck School: Tuck School, Stell Hall - Graduates will receive their diplomas after their Investiture (June 7)

The Aegis, Dartmouth's award-winning yearbook, has a quick reminder for parents and families. 

Order a Yearbook

GradImages® is proud to support one of the biggest moments in a graduate’s life: walking across the stage and into the next chapter. With over 40 years of experience, we understand the importance of this moment and the desire to preserve these memories for a lifetime. Finding your graduate’s photos after the ceremony is easy. Visit www.GradImages.com to view and purchase custom photo products like prints, plaques, specialty gifts, and more.

You can pre-register your contact information using the direct link below. Upon completion, you will receive a coupon code for 20% off an order of $50 or more.

https://www.gradimages.com/registration/Search?SchoolName=Dartmouth+College

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your photos, please contact our Customer Service Department at (800) 261-2576, online at www.gradimages.com, or email ecc.giservice@gradimages.net. We have a large team of customer care representatives ready to help graduates and family members with anything they may need.

Commencement for the Class of 2025 is on Sunday, June 15, 2025.

Information regarding ordering both general and personalized graduation announcements will be provided in the near future on the Dartmouth Coop.

The Courtyard Café in the Hopkins Center is open
on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The Hanover Inn will be serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner in PINE Restaurant.

Area Dining Options: A listing of restaurants in the Upper Valley and surrounding areas.

See the seating chart.

Learn more about lodging options. Please note that lodging fills up very early and the Hanover Inn is reserved for Trustees, honorary degree recipients, and the 50-year reunion class.

There is no location beyond your own seat where guests may take photos of graduates. If you need to stand to get your shot, we ask that you do so briefly so as not to block others' view of the ceremony. Commencement guests will be prohibited from taking pictures or videotaping from locations near the platform.

Arrangements have been made for Grad Images, a professional photography company, to take a picture as each graduate crosses the stage. It takes approximately 10 business days for Grad Images to upload ceremony photos to the web portal.

Finding your graduate’s photos after the ceremony is easy. Visit www.GradImages.com to view and purchase custom photo products like prints, plaques, specialty gifts, and more. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your photos, please contact the Customer Service Department at (800) 261-2576, online at www.gradimages.com, or email ecc.giservice@gradimages.net.

A live webcast of the ceremony will be available at 9:30 a.m.  A recorded video of the ceremony will be available the Tuesday after the ceremony on YouTube.

If you are on campus, the webcast of the ceremony will be streamed to Collis Common Grounds and first floor classrooms in Dartmouth Hall, Reed Hall, and Thornton Hall.

Due to safety regulations, strollers are not allowed in the aisles or seated areas. Guests are welcome to park strollers in the wheelchair section located to the right of the student section (on the College Street side of the Green).

Due to the large crowd at Commencement, we strongly urge families to designate a building or location OFF the Green at which to meet their graduate after the ceremony.

The English translation of Bachelor of Arts degree awarded by Dartmouth College:

By the authority of the Trustees of Dartmouth College

To all who read this document, greetings:

Let it be known that we have decided to honor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
and in accord with his/her merits to decorate him/her with the title and rank of Bachelor of Arts
and that we have bestowed upon him/her the fullest power of enjoying all the privileges and
immunities and honors which everywhere on earth pertain to this same rank. Of which act let our
official seal and names be a witness.

Conferred from the halls of the College in Hanover, New Hampshire on the . . . . . day
of the month of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . in the year . . . . . . .

Prior to 8:30 am, guests dropping off family members with mobility impairments can drop off along the Green on either Wheelock Street or Main Street before moving their vehicle on to a satellite parking lot.  Many of the roads around the Green begin closing after 8:30 am.

On Sunday, shuttle service will be provided from the Dewey, Thompson, and Ledyard lots from 7 a.m. through 2 p.m. The shuttle route will travel along Park St. and Wheelock St., with a stop at the corner of the College Green at Main and Wheelock Streets.  The shuttle is not wheelchair accessible.

On Sunday, a limited number of accessible parking spaces will be available in the visitor lot located between Hitchcock Hall and Blunt Alumni Center. Additional accessible parking will be available along College St. These spaces will be open to vehicles with official state licenses or placards and accessible permits and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.