2022 Commencement May 8 at Van Metre Field

Due to weather and ground conditions, Commencement and Baccalaureate will be held at Van Metre Field at Ash Park. 

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Cornell College will hold its 164th Commencement ceremony in celebration of the Class of 2022 on Mother’s Day Sunday, May 8. 

The ceremony starts at 10 a.m. on the McLennan College Hall Lawn. 

There are currently no limitations on guests and no tickets required, however, that could change if the college’s COVID-19 policy changes substantially. We encourage all graduates and their guests to complete their vaccinations and booster shots.

Both the Commencement and Baccalaureate ceremonies will be live-streamed on YouTube for those unable to attend or for those who feel more comfortable viewing events online.

The senior speaker will be Lauren Williams ’22. She is past president of Student Senate, Greek Council president, is from Brandon, Mississippi, and will receive a bachelor of art degree in politics. Biology Professor Craig Tepper, who joined the faculty in 1989, is the faculty speaker. The speakers are nominated by the senior class. Seniors then vote for one of the top three student nominees, while the president and provost select the faculty speaker from the top three nominees.

An inter-spiritual Baccalaureate ceremony will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 7, also on the McLennan College Hall Lawn. This Cornell tradition features playful and meaningful words of gratitude by graduating seniors on behalf of their faculty, family, staff, and friends; readings by members of the Class of 2022; and wisdom for the life journey which includes a message by College Chaplain Melea White. 

An American Sign Language interpreter will be on-hand at both ceremonies. Other events are also scheduled throughout the weekend. Commencement and Baccalaureate will be held outdoors rain or shine; ponchos will be provided if needed, as umbrellas block views and are not allowed.

Follow the events on social media with #CornellCGrad and look for the geofilter on Snapchat.

This article was updated May 5 and May 2, 2022.