Commencement

We look forward to hosting you on campus for commencement. The information below will help you make the most of this special celebration with your graduate.

Senior/Parent Commencement Banquet

May 24 | 5:45 p.m
RC Gym

This banquet is optional but highly recommended. You may purchase banquet tickets through the Office of Alumni and Parent Services beginning in April. Student tickets are complimentary. Parent tickets are $24 each.

Information about the banquet will be sent to parents in late March.

Baccalaureate Service

May 24 | 7:45 p.m.
Benson Great Hall

This special gathering for students and their guests includes worship, communion for graduating students, and parting thoughts. It is optional but highly recommended. No tickets are required.

Doors open at 7 p.m. The service is about 75 minutes. Graduating students sit together in the center section of the main floor.

Commencement Ceremony

May 25 | 9 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 4 p.m.
Benson Great Hall

There are 3 CAS commencement ceremonies on the St. Paul campus. Ask your student to which ceremony he or she is assigned.

Doors open 1 hour before the ceremony start time. Each ceremony is about 1 hour.

Flash photography and videography are permitted in Benson Great Hall for short timeframes. Quickly return to your seat after taking photos to free up the aisle for other guests. Tripods are not allowed; monopods are permitted.

If you need a sign language interpreter, contact commencement staff as soon as possible.

Ceremony Tickets

Tickets are required for guests to attend the ceremony. Guest tickets are free. However, there is a limited number of tickets available per grad. Students must request and pick up tickets for their guests. Students have detailed instructions on how to do this. You cannot obtain tickets directly.

Seating in Benson Great Hall is by general admission and tickets will be collected at the doors.

Arrival and Parking

Students must report for lineup 45 minutes before the ceremony. If needed, review directions to Bethel’s St. Paul campus. There may be local construction. Plan your route and drive time accordingly.

Benson Great Hall is located in the Community Life Center near the West Lot. Parking is available in the West or East Lot. Follow the directions of parking personnel. All Bethel parking lots and facilities are accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Ceremony Seating and Seating Needs

Seating in Benson Great Hall is by general admission. Doors will open 1 hour before the ceremony start time.

If you need accessible seating, please arrive when doors open. Ushers will assist guests with special seating needs or hearing needs.

If you have questions about accessible seating or other needs, contact the Benson Great Hall house manager, Tanya Pinkerman. Overflow seating with closed-circuit viewing of the ceremony is also available. No tickets are needed.

Commencement Reception

A reception for grads and their guests will take place in Brushaber Commons after the ceremony. Hallway hosts will direct you to the reception. Plan to meet your grad at the reception.

Signs identifying specific academic departments will be posted throughout the reception area as gathering points for grads, guests, and faculty. The route from the ceremony to the reception is a moderate walking distance with stair and elevator options. A limited number of complimentary wheelchairs is available. Ask your usher or a hallway host about availability.

Light refreshments will be available at the reception.

Young Children

Children who will take up a seat in Benson Great Hall need a ticket. Because the ceremony is formal and the acoustics are lively, you are encouraged to make other arrangements for babies and young children. Childcare is not provided. Children must be supervised at all times.

Overflow seating with closed-circuit viewing of the ceremony is available. No tickets are needed.

Questions?

Please direct questions about commencement to your student first. If your student is unable to answer your questions, contact Anna Kaihoi at anna-kaihoi@bethel.edu or 651.638.6036.