Dear Parents and Families of CC Seniors,
The biggest annual celebration on the CC campus —
Commencement — is coming up
Sunday, May 28, at 8:30 a.m., in Ed Robson Arena. That’s less than 50 days away!
We are proud to honor the many accomplishments of this class as well as the MAT graduates! We also want to make sure you have the information you need to plan for this important occasion. You will receive periodic Commencement emails from now until May 28, so please keep a close eye on your inbox as well as the
Commencement 2023 website for updates.
Commencement Speaker
On March 15, CC announced that former U.S Representative Liz Cheney ‘88 will present the 2023 Commencement address, and Mike Edmonds, Robert Moore, Hilaree Nelson ’95 (in memoriam), and Robin Wilson will be presented with honorary degrees.
Click here to learn more about these amazing individuals.
Baccalaureate Speaker
Colorado College today announced that Richard Fernando Buxton, associate professor and chair of the Classics Department, has been selected as this year's Baccalaureate speaker. Professor Buxton has been teaching at CC since 2014 —
click here for his bio.
Ticket Information
Each graduate will have access to five seated and two standing-room-only guest tickets at no cost. Students will be able to claim these free guest tickets through Ticketmaster at the beginning of May, with specific instructions to come. Graduates must claim their tickets by Friday, May 19. A livestream will be available for those who cannot attend in person.
Weekend Details
President L. Song Richardson is pleased to host a President’s Reception for all to enjoy on Tava Quad immediately following the ceremony. In addition to Commencement and the reception, festivities also include:
- Honors Convocation, Tuesday, May 16, 11 a.m., Shove Memorial Chapel. This is CC’s opportunity to honor outstanding students and faculty. The annual program includes departmental awards, all-college awards, and awards from the CC Student Government Association. All are welcome to attend!
- Baccalaureate, Saturday, May 27, 3 p.m., Shove Memorial Chapel. This event is open to graduating seniors and two guests per graduate, but an online livestream of the ceremony will be available. Baccalaureate provides a quiet, intimate opportunity to reflect on the rite of passage of graduation, hear from a faculty member, and enjoy students’ talents.
- Departmental Receptions: Academic departments typically hold receptions on Saturday afternoon following Baccalaureate, at locations on and off campus. Stay tuned for more details on the Commencement website; students will also receive an invitation directly from their academic department.
Apply to Graduate
A reminder: Graduating seniors must submit their application to graduate by Friday, April 28 in order to walk in the ceremony this spring. If eligible, students can find the link to the application on their student menu in Banner SSB. It only takes a few minutes to opt into the ceremony, provide height information for a gown, and confirm diploma name and mailing address. Graduates will not be able to claim guest tickets until they complete this process.
Baccalaureate Blessings
Baccalaureate Blessings are a special part of the graduation tradition for Colorado College students. Parents and families of seniors are invited to share well wishes and words of celebration for their graduates. Together, these messages form a communal blessing, sharing both individual and collective love, blessing, and hope for the graduates as they journey forth from Colorado College. This year, Baccalaureate Blessings are once again happening
digitally, and submitted messages will be displayed on the jumbotron in Ed Robson Arena during Baccalaureate on May 27, as well as online.
Click here for instructions and ideas for how to submit a message.
Looking forward to celebrating with you!
CC Commencement Team
