Besides completing your academic course work, there are additional obligations to fulfill in order to graduate. Use this website as the central location for information about graduation events, requirements as well as tips for preparing for life beyond Goshen College.
2016 coverage:
- Commencement story: “Carrie Newcomer encourages graduates to ‘be true, be kind and pay attention’ with words and song”
- Commencement photo album
- Baccalaureate worship service photo album
- Nurses Pinning photo album
- Department Receptions photo album
Social media: #gcgrad16
Follow the loving and celebration, and join in the fun! See our full campus social media directory for more ways to connect.
Helpful Links
For Students
2016 Commencement Weekend Event Schedule
PDF of the Commencement Weekend program booklet (schedules, order of services, full listing of graduates, etc.)
Monday, April 18
| 9 p.m. | Graduate Dessert Reception – College Mennonite Church Fellowship Hall |
Saturday, April 23
| 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Welcome Center open |
| 10 a.m. | Commencement rehearsal – Starts in Union Building hallway by mailboxes. Ends in Recreation-Fitness Center. |
| 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Senior Art Exhibit – Music Center, Hershberger Art Gallery |
| 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Bookstore open |
| 1:30 p.m. | Nurse’s pinning ceremony (PDF of program) – Church-Chapel |
| 1:30 – 5 p.m. | Informal undergraduate academic program receptions (click to see full schedule) – graduates and families meet with professors and celebrate. |
| 5 – 6 p.m. | Dinner available for graduates, guests and faculty – Westlawn Dining Hall (normal rates apply) |
| 7:30 p.m. |
Senior class program – Music Center, Sauder Concert Hall (For those unable to attend, watch the live-streaming of the program.) |
| 8:45 – 10:30 p.m. | President’s Reception for graduates and families – Music Center lobby and courtyard, hosted by President James Brenneman and Terri Plank Brenneman |
Sunday, April 24
| 11 a.m. |
Baccalaureate worship service (PDF of program) – Church-Chapel Sermon: “Cultured for loving service” by President James E. Brenneman (For those unable to attend, watch the live-streaming of the service.) |
| 11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. |
Commencement Brunch for graduates, families and friends – Westlawn Dining Hall Provost Kenneth Newbold will host. Menu: Carved Rotisserie Pork Loin, Roasted Vegetables with Quinoa, Asparagus, Vegetable Quiche, Roast Beef Hash with Eggs Over Easy, Oatmeal and Yogurt Bar, Fresh Desserts and Sweets, Deli, Salad Bar Price: Adults – $10, Children 6-12 – $5, Children under 6 – free. Student meal plans still in effect. Seating is limited. Purchase tickets in advance at goshen.edu/tickets or at the Welcome Center by Saturday at 4 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the Dining Hall on Sunday for a higher price. |
| 2:40 p.m. | Processional line-up in Union hallway by mailboxes |
| 3 p.m. |
 Commencement ceremony (PDF of program) – Roman Gingerich Recreation-Fitness Center. Our commencement speaker this year will be Carrie Newcomer ’80, Indiana-based singer-songwriter (read more about her). Her speech is entitled “Three things.” No admission tickets needed. (For those unable to attend, watch the live-streaming of the ceremony.) |
| 5 – 7 p.m. | Informal academic program receptions for the RN-BSN, MS in Nursing and MA in Environmental Education programs (click to see full schedule) – graduates and families meet with professors and celebrate. Church-Chapel |
All graduates are invited to sign the Graduation Pledge of Social and Environmental Responsibility.