Commencement

To the Families of the Class of 2013

President Mullen, the faculty, and staff of Allegheny College cordially invite you to attend a weekend steeped in tradition – Commencement 2013 in the 198th year of the College. In addition to the Baccalaureate ceremony on Friday and the Commencement ceremony on Saturday, many events have been planned for graduates and their families. A schedule and description of Commencement activities and a reservation form for dinner and room reservations are available on this web site. Check back for updates.

The Commencement ceremony will be held Saturday, May 11, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. on Bentley Lawn or in the Wise Center Sports Forum, depending on weather conditions. Tickets are required for admission to the ceremony only if it is held in the Wise Center. Four (4) Commencement tickets will be given directly to your graduating son or daughter. In inclement weather, closed circuit broadcast will be available in Shafer Auditorium is available to guests not holding tickets. If the ceremony is held on Bentley Lawn, a closed circuit broadcast will be available in nearby Schultz Banquet Hall for those who prefer to sit inside.

A procession of the graduating class in academic regalia opens the first of the official Commencement Weekend ceremonies. Historically a religious service, the Baccalaureate service at Allegheny is a celebration of this milestone in all of our students’ lives and features readings from various faith traditions represented in the class, reflections by Chaplain Jane Ellen Nickell, and choral, brass, and organ music. A highlight is the Celebration of Community, a slide show of the graduating class in volunteer and other activities.

We invite those of you who have not yet obtained accommodations to reserve rooms in a College residence hall. A linen packet including bottom and top sheets, a light blanket, a towel and washcloth will be placed in each room; pillows and heavy blankets are NOT provided. For your convenience, meals will be available on campus. In addition, a seated buffet dinner Friday evening and a reception for all academic departments immediately following the ceremony Saturday afternoon.

While many of the events do not require reservations, please note that advanced reservations are required for room accommodations ($20 per person per night) and the Friday Evening Dinner ($20 per adult/ $10 per child). The dinner is NOT mandatory and there will be NO program;  seating is limited and reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. In addition, all reservation requests must be received by the Office of Conference and Events by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, April 19. We are sorry, but due to our commitment to suppliers, we cannot  accept reservations after that date. We recommend that you coordinate your weekend plans with your graduating son or daughter early enough to accommodate your needs.

Hometown Releases

Note to Parents: If you would like to send out a “hometown release”—a news release that is sent to your local newspaper to announce your son or daughter’s graduation—please contact the Office of Campus Communications at 814-332-5950 or kroos@allegheny.edu. They can provide you with a template for a news release that you can then customize for your local newspaper.

If you have any questions about Commencement events, please contact the Office of Conference and Event Services at 814-332-3101. We look forward to celebrating this memorable occasion with you. Congratulations!

Community Events

Looking for a great Saturday morning activity before graduation? Join the Meadville community from 9am-2pm for the monthly Second Saturday Community Market at Market House Square featuring local vendors of the handmade, homemade, locally-raised, or locally grown. Admission and parking is free, and the event will be held rain or shine.This month will feature renowned musician Greg Garing and his folksy progressive bluegrass band The Gem City Grass with singer/songwriter Matt Texter and the Celtic-bluegrass band Glenwood Hillbillies. In addition to great music crowd favorites Magic Steve and Squeeze the clown will delight the young and old with their antics and Rebel Reptile Rescue will bring live animals to marvel at up close. After you browse the local goods stop in to the Market House for the best breakfast in town!