Commencement

Tickets are not required, and seating is based on a first-available basis. Guests can save up to six seats and guests must be present with their parties’ seats at all times. At 10:20 a.m. all unclaimed seats will be open for additional guests.

Guests who require accessibility services are encouraged to arrive by 10 a.m.. Ample seating for guests with mobility limitations will be provided in a designated area. When guests arrive on campus, campus safety officers will direct them to special parking areas.

Goucher will be presenting a live video stream of the Commencement exercises. To watch the ceremony in real time from a computer, visit the Commencement videos webpage or click on the link from Goucher's homepage.

Students interested in academic cords must speak to their academic centers for availability.

Affinity Graduation ceremonies honor the accomplishments and experiences of Goucher graduates from historically marginalized and underrepresented communities. They are an opportunity for reflection, gratitude, and inspiration for aspiring seniors. These events take place on Wednesday, May 20 and are free for all graduating seniors, their guests, and the campus community. For descriptions, location and times, please click here.

Baccalaureate will be Thursday, May 21, at 4:30 pm in Kraushaar Auditorium. We invite all graduates, families, friends, faculty, and staff to reflect on the meaning of the college experience and the transition of commencement, through responsive readings, prayers from many religious and ethnic traditions in different languages, music, and reflections from a graduate and a faculty or staff member.

Undergraduate Students: Students who intend to receive their degree in absentia (those who will not be attending the ceremony) should notify the Registrar by emailing registrar@goucher.edu, no later than one week prior to Commencement.

Graduate Students: Must notify Christina Berke by emailing Christina.Berke@goucher.edu.

A list of area hotels can be found on our hotel recommendations webpage. If guests have not already made reservations, we encourage them to do so as soon as possible. Baltimore is a popular destination, and many area colleges share the same graduation weekend.

A photographer hired by the college will be on stage during the ceremony to take pictures as graduates receive their diploma cover. There will be ample time after the ceremony for guests to photograph graduates. We ask that guests not take photographs of the diploma presentations, so as not to impede the view of others. See the photo galleries page for photos from previous commencement ceremonies.

Goucher College will be working with Herff Jones in regards to academic regalia and graduate paraphernalia. We are working to get the Herff Jones website up and running. Graduates will receive a link and code to order your regalia and graduate paraphernalia after the February 1 "Application for Degree" deadline.

Graduating seniors who make a generous gift of $20.20 to support current and future Gophers will be awarded a commemorative 2020 Blue & Gold Tassel to wear on their caps and in recognition of their support – names of those making the Senior Class Gift will also be printed in the May commencement program, honoring them as donors. All senior givers that make a gift of $5 or more will also be invited to attend a special “Senior Toast” in the spring. To find out how to make your Senior Class Gift and give back, please contact gophers@goucher.edu or 410.337.6080.

Next semester will be an exhilarating time for both you and your student—a time to celebrate the culmination of four years of challenge, growth and success! We know that families are there every step of the way in their student’s educational journey, and understand the work and perseverance it takes to get to commencement. Won’t you recognize this wonderful accomplishment with a gift in honor of your graduating senior? Families who give in honor of their graduate(s) will receive special recognition in the keepsake commencement program commemorating this special day!

Please contact Hannah Dowling,'17 annual giving officer, at hannah.dowling@goucher.edu or call (410) 337-6080 to learn more, or go directly to www.goucher.edu/parentfund and make your donation today!

https://www.thecommencementgroup.com/goucher

On Friday, May 8, the Goucher community will celebrate the academic and artistic achievements of its students, faculty and staff at the annual Convocation celebration. Convocation not only recognizes academic honors, it also celebrates artistic and civic achievements. Come back after Friday, May 8 to see who received awards!