Commencement 2025 - May 10-11, 2025. Check back in 2025 for more details, but to see last year's info, check below.
The 2025 Commencement Weekend has been scheduled for May 10 -11, 2025. The Commencement service will be held on Sunday, May 11, 2025, in All Saints' Chapel with the Conferring of Degrees in the Quad.
Schedule
THURSDAY, MAY 8
8 a.m. Rotary Club meeting at St. Mary’s Retreat Center. Earn your makeup meeting at the local club.
10 a.m.–4 p.m. The University Art Gallery senior art majors’ thesis exhibition, Longing and Belonging by graduating senior art majors Timothy Cook, Calley Doyle, and George Meng. University Art Gallery.
11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. The Department of Chemistry will host all chemistry and biochemistry majors and minors, and their families, at the Green’s View Grill.
noon–5 p.m. Commencement desk at McGriff Alumni House on Georgia Avenue. Information, senior photos, schedules, and tickets can be picked up here. All families are invited to stop by for refreshments and a moment of rest between activities. Call this your home base for the weekend. Hang out between events or just come relax during the day.
3 p.m. Coffee and tours at St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School. Our neighboring co-ed Episcopal day and boarding school for students in grades 6–12, will offer campus tours and personalized information sessions for University of the South families and friends.
290 Quintard Road (just outside the gates).
4:30–6:30 p.m. International and Global Studies majors senior graduation party, the Social Lodge, Georgia Avenue.
6:30–8 p.m. The Office of Global Citizenship and the Organization for Cross-Cultural Understanding (OCCU) will host an International Senior Send Off reception in Convocation Hall and Guerry Garth to honor the Class of 2024’s international seniors, to celebrate all their accomplishments here at Sewanee, and to wish them well on their future journeys!
FRIDAY, MAY 9
9 a.m. Friends of Bill W. meeting, Walsh-Ellett, room 310.
9 a.m.–5 p.m. Commencement desk at McGriff Alumni House on Georgia Avenue. Information, senior photos, schedules, and tickets can be picked up here. All families are invited to stop by for refreshments and a moment of rest between activities. Call this your home base for the weekend. Hang out between events or just come relax during the day.
10 a.m.–4 p.m. The University Art Gallery Senior Art Majors’ thesis exhibition, Longing and Belonging by graduating senior art majors Timothy Cook, Calley Doyle, and George Meng. University Art Gallery.
10:30 a.m. Senior Carey Fellows Awards Ceremony. Reception for senior business honors students at the Social Lodge by invitation.
2–3 p.m. Open House in Breslin Tower hosted by the Sewanee Guild of Change Ringers, John Solomon, tower captain. Enter Breslin Tower (next to Convocation Hall) and climb the stairs to the bell-ringing room.
3:15–4:15 p.m. Shapard Tower carillon tours and open house. Please meet inside All Saints’ Chapel at the iron gate near the nave altar. Carillonneurs will meet you there for a walking tour of the tower, which includes a view from the parapet 110 feet above the campus and an opportunity to play a few notes on the carillon.
4–5 p.m. German and German Studies will host graduating majors and minors for Kaffee und Kuchen on at the German House (Louisiana Circle). Their families and loved ones are also welcome.
SATURDAY, MAY 10
7 a.m. Friends of Bill W. meeting, Walsh-Ellett, room 310.
8 a.m.–2 p.m. Commencement desk at McGriff Alumni House on Georgia Avenue. Information, senior photos, schedules, and tickets can be picked up here. All families are invited to stop by for refreshments and a moment of rest between activities. Call this your home base for the weekend. Hang out between events or just come relax during the day.
9 a.m.–5 p.m. Sewanee Spring Arts and Crafts Fair, Shoup Park, in front of Elliott, Tuckaway, and Cleveland dorms on University Avenue.
9:30 a.m. Degree candidates from the College of Arts and Sciences and graduates from the School of Theology form the Baccalaureate procession in front of Breslin Tower.
10 a.m. Baccalaureate Service, All Saints’ Chapel. The Baccalaureate address will be delivered by the Rev. Dr. Christoph Keller. The service will be shown on closed-circuit TV in Guerry Auditorium. Seating for families is first-come, first served. Doors will open at 9 a.m.
The Mildred and George Bentley Memorial Change Ringing Bells will play for the procession.
The Baccalaureate lunch (admission by prepaid ticket or tickets may be purchased at the door) will immediately follow the Baccalaureate Service until 1 p.m., McClurg Dining Hall.
10 a.m.–1 p.m. The University Art Gallery Senior Art Majors’ thesis exhibition, Longing and Belonging by graduating senior art majors Timothy Cook, Calley Doyle, and George Meng. University Art Gallery.
Immediately following the Baccalaureate service: Legacy photo for students with alumni parents, siblings, and grandparents. Please arrive promptly. Guerry Garth. (Rain location: All Saints’ Chapel, nave altar)
11:30 a.m. Phi Beta Kappa initiation for members, initiates, and their guests in Convocation Hall will follow the Baccalaureate Service.
1 p.m. Posse graduation in Naylor Auditorium, Gailor Hall. Reception immediately following.
2–3 p.m. Open house in Breslin Tower hosted by the Sewanee Guild of Change Ringers, John Solomon, tower captain. Enter Breslin Tower (next to Convocation Hall) and climb the stairs to the bell-ringing room.
2–3:30 p.m. The Department of Politics will host graduating senior politics majors and their guests at Chen Hall, 607 University Ave. Remarks, including departmental awards, will be announced at 3 p.m.
3:15–4:15 p.m. Shapard Tower carillon tours and open house. Please meet inside All Saints’ Chapel at the iron gate near the nave altar. Carillonneurs will meet you there for a walking tour of the tower, which includes a view from the parapet 110 feet above the campus and an opportunity to play a few notes on the carillon.
3:30–5 p.m. Celebrating the Class of 2024 wine and cheese reception at Chen Hall with Vice-Chancellor Rob Pearigen. Please join the Vice-Chancellor and his wife, Phoebe, for this reception at 607 University Ave.
5:30–8:30 p.m. Dinner honoring Latinx graduates will be held in Convocation Hall.
7 p.m. Commencement party and fireworks celebration for seniors of the College and their guests, until 9 p.m., at McGriff Alumni House. Hosted by the Associated Alumni. Live music by The Answer Band. Bring your ID if you look younger than 21.
7:30 p.m. AA Meeting. Parish of St. Mark and St. Paul, across the street from Sewanee Elementary School. Open discussion. All are welcome.
SUNDAY, MAY 11
7–9 a.m. Breakfast for graduating physics majors at the home of Dr. Randolph Peterson, 109 Curlicue Rd.
7:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist, St. Augustine’s Chapel.
7:30–9 a.m. Breakfast for the families of graduates in the Department of Earth and Environmental Systems at the home of Julie and Tom Powell, 21 Poplar Lane, parking available at Proctor’s Hall parking lot.
7:30–9:30 a.m. The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science will host a breakfast for graduates at the home of Catherine Cavagnaro, 482 Wiggins Creek Dr.
8–10 a.m. Commencement desk at McGriff Alumni House on Georgia Avenue. Information, schedules, and tickets can be picked up here.
9 a.m. Degree candidates from the College of Arts and Sciences check in at All Saints’ Chapel, entering through the War Memorial Chapel door (McClurg side).
10 a.m. Convocation for the conferring of degrees, All Saints’ Chapel for students. Guests enjoy the ceremony by livestream until the conferring of degrees when guests of graduates will enter the chapel to witness that portion of the ceremony as the graduate receives the diploma.
Celebration picnic on the Quad.
Rain location for luncheon: McClurg Dining Hall.
COMMENCEMENT DESK
The University Commencement desk is located inside McGriff Alumni House on Georgia Avenue. The desk is open on Thursday from noon to 5 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Sunday from 8 to 10 a.m. Information and tickets for the Baccalaureate lunch and for the College of Arts and Sciences Commencement service can be picked up here. All families are invited to stop by for refreshments and a moment of rest between activities. Call this your home base for the weekend. Hang out between events or just come relax during the day.
TICKETS
Tickets are not needed for the Baccalaureate Service in All Saints’ Chapel on Saturday.
Family viewing tickets for Commencement (during the conferring of degree portion of the ceremony) will be assigned to each graduate and can be picked up at the Commencement desk.
Meal tickets purchased in advance for the Baccalaureate lunch on Saturday, May 11, and the Commencement lunch on Sunday, May 12, may be picked up Thursday through Sunday morning at the University Commencement Desk at McGriff Alumni House. Tickets may also be purchased at the Commencement Desk.
LOST AND FOUND
The Sewanee Police Department will be the Lost and Found Center. If something is found, please bring it to the Police Department. If you lose something, please report it to the staff at the Sewanee Police, 931.598.1111 or email police@sewanee.edu.
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
The Robert D. Fowler Center will be open Monday–Thursday from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Inquire at the desk for hours for the swimming pool. The Course at Sewanee (golf course) will accept tee times at 931.598.1104.
duPONT LIBRARY
The library will be open Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. Old yearbooks and other Sewanee related books will be given away on the front porch of duPont on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
THE UNIVERSITY ART GALLERY
Gallery hours are Saturday 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m. with senior art majors’ thesis exhibition, University Art Gallery.
University archives
University Archives hours are Monday to Friday 8 a.m.–noon (by appointment) and 1–5 p.m., and Saturday 1–5 p.m.
The Museum Gallery at the William R. Laurie University Archives and Special Collections will be open Thurs. 9 a.m.–noon, 1-5 p.m.; Fri. 9 a.m.–noon, 1-5 p.m.; and Sat. 1-5 p.m.
ALL SAINTS’ CHAPEL
All worship services are open to the public. The chapel is always available for private prayer and meditation. Directories for self-guided tours are available in the narthex or in the Chaplain’s Office.
OTHER INFORMATION
For guests in need of special arrangements for access to All Saints’ Chapel, please call the Alumni and Parent Engagement Office, 931.598.1710.
For more information about Commencement, please check the commencement webpage at sewanee.edu/parents/commencement or email sewaneeparents@sewanee.edu.
LOCAL EATERIES
Biehl Commons Café University Aveue
Thurs.–Sun 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Blue Chair Bakery and Coffee Shop and Tavern 931.598.5434, 41 University Ave.
Café hours Mon.–Fri. 8 a.m.–3 p.m., Sat.–Sun. 8 a.m.–noon. Tavern hours Mon.–Fri. 3–9 p.m., Sat.–Sun.
11 a.m.–9 p.m.
Green’s View Grill 931.598.5305. 444 Green’s View Rd. Tues.–Thurs. 11 a.m.–4 p.m., Fri.–Sun. 11 a.m.-
6 p.m. Closed Monday.
La Bella Pearl’s 931.463.2222, 15344 Sewanee Hwy. Mon.–Tues., closed, Wed.–Thurs. 5–9 p.m., Fri.–Sat. 5–10 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Please call for reservations.
Lunch 24 University Ave. Wed.–Fri. 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Sat. 8:30–10 a.m.
Shakerag at the Sewanee Inn 931.598.3568,
1235 University Ave. Sun.–Thurs. 4–9 p.m., Fri.–Sat. 4–10 p.m.
Shenanigans 931.598.5774, 12595 Sollace M. Freeman Hwy. Mon.–Sat. 11 a.m.–11 p.m. and Sun. 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
Stirling’s Coffee House 931.598.1885, 241 Georgia Ave. Thurs.–Mon. 8 a.m.–3 p.m.
The Cup and Gown in duPont Library will be closed.
