Highlights of Commencement 2017:

• Visionary educator Geoffrey Canada to deliver 2017 Commencement address, joining honorands Sen. Susan Collins, Wanda Corn, and Patrick Dempsey
• For Short Term’s student grounds workers, it’s much ado about mulch
• Q&A: Commencement’s senior speaker will distill four years at Bates
• Commencement speaker: With your help, ‘best of America is yet to come’
• Slideshow: Bates Commencement moments, from Midnight Madness to huge hugs
• Commencement 2017 Video

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Thursday, May 25, 2017

5:30 p.m. Farewell celebration What: Faculty and students celebrate the academic accomplishments of the Class of 2017 Who: Seniors, faculty and coaches Where: Clifton Daggett Gray Athletic Building
Friday, May 26, 2017
2 p.m. Class of 2017 Photo  What: Class picture Who: Required for all graduating seniors Where: Underhill Ice Arena
3 p.m. Commencement rehearsal What: Commencement ceremony rehearsal Who: Required for all graduating seniors Where: Merrill Gymnasium
4:30 p.m. College Key induction What: Membership in the College Key is awarded to juniors and seniors who distinguish themselves through their academic performance, athletic or extracurricular pursuits, service to the community and strength of character Who: Inductees, their families and guests Where: Olin Arts Center Concert Hall
6 p.m. Phi Beta Kappa induction What: Phi Beta Kappa is the national honor society for liberal arts colleges Who: Inductees, their families and guests Where: Olin Arts Center Concert Hall
7:30 p.m. Sigma Xi induction What: Sigma Xi is the honor society of research scientists and engineers Who: Inductees, their families and guests Where: Olin Arts Center Concert Hall
8:30 p.m. Senior/Parents Wine and Cheese Tasting What: Senior/parents wine tasting Who: Senior/Parents Where: Pettengill Atrium
Saturday, May 27, 2017
1 p.m. Legacy Group photo What: Photo of students with family histories at Bates Where: Hathorn Hall steps
1:30 p.m. Line up for Baccalaureate Who: Ceremony participants Where: Alumni Walk
1:50 p.m. Baccalaureate procession begins Who: Ceremony participants Where: Historic Quad
2 p.m. Baccalaureate service What: Baccalaureate celebrates students’ journey through Bates and beyond through the languages of many religions and spiritualities, and celebrates with poetry, music, dance and reflection Who: Graduating seniors, their families and guests Where: Historic Quad
4:30 p.m. Reception 5:00 p.m.  Program Senior athletes recognition ceremony What: Presentation of awards for excellence in scholarship, sportsmanship and competition; honoring and thanking all senior varsity athletes Who: All senior varsity athletes, their families and guests Where: Alumni Gymnasium
Sunday, May 28, 2017
7:30–9 a.m. Breakfast What: A complimentary breakfast Who: Graduating seniors, their families and guests Where: Commons
8:30 a.m. Line up for commencement Where: Historic Quad
9:30 a.m. Commencement procession What: Procession begins Who: All are welcome Where: Historic Quad
10 a.m. Commencement What: The ceremony you’ve been waiting for! Who: All are welcome Where: Historic Quad (in Merrill Gymnasium if rain)A live video feed will be available for viewing in the Olin Arts Center, and the event will be livestreamed at bates.edu/commencement/live
Noon (immediately following Commencement) Lunch What: Complimentary lunch Who: Graduating seniors, their families and guests Where: Library Quad