Commencement

Save the date for Graduation 2024!

Check back for regular updates. Updated: 01/23/2024

Baccalaureate

Friday, May 10, 2024 at 6:30 p.m.
John and Charles Wesley Chapel, Houghton, NY 

In-person worship service. Parents, family members, and friends are invited to attend this worship service as students, faculty, and staff express their gratitude to God and reflect on their years together at Houghton. The livestream will be available on the Houghton University homepage.

Commencement

Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.
John and Charles Wesley Chapel, Houghton, NY  

In-person graduation ceremony. Parents, family members, and friends are welcome to attend. This will be a ticketed event – each graduate will receive 4 tickets for guests to attend in person. The livestream will be available on the Houghton University homepage.

Dear Families of the Class of 2024,

We look forward to Houghton’s spring Baccalaureate and Commencement ceremonies with great anticipation! I expect this to be a wonderful weekend of memories as we celebrate our graduates’ accomplishments and prayerfully send them forth to have transformative impact in their families, communities, workplaces, and mission fields, near and far. I thank God for the privilege of serving this class during their time at Houghton and look forward to the incredible ways God will use them in the next seasons of their lives.

Here you will find updated information on this year’s Commencement weekend. We will review and make any updates every Monday, so please check back for up-to-date information.

It is difficult for me to imagine the Houghton campus without the class of 2024. They will always be a particularly special class for me. Many of us have already begun to pray for their transition and that their weekend of Commencement celebration will be a special time for them, for you, and for the Houghton community. Please join us in that prayer. I look forward to seeing you in Houghton in a few months.

President Wayne D. Lewis Jr.With great appreciation, 

Wayne D. Lewis, Jr.
President 

Dr. Wayne Schmidt, commencement speaker for Houghton University.

Commencement Speaker

Saturday May 11, 2024
John and Charles Wesley Chapel, Houghton, NY

Dr. Wayne Schmidt was elected to be the General Superintendent of The Wesleyan Church on June 6, 2016, by the North American General Conference in Buffalo, New York. Previously, Schmidt served as the chief administrative officer of Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University from 2010-2016. From 1979-2009, Schmidt served first as a co-founding pastor and then senior pastor of Kentwood Community Church (KCC) in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area. He contributed leadership in planting the church and growing it to a multiethnic and multiplying church, taking a lead role in planting 10 daughter churches during Schmidt’s tenure. He is grateful for 42 years of ordination in The Wesleyan Church.

He is a graduate of Marion College (now Indiana Wesleyan University), holds a master’s degree from Calvin Seminary and earned a Doctor of Ministry degree at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Schmidt has written several books, including Accountability: Becoming People of Integrity, Leading When God is Moving, Soul Management, Lead On, Power Plays, Ministry Velocity and Surrender.

He and his wife, Jan, celebrated their 45th anniversary in August. They are blessed with three children and their spouses and eight grandchildren.

Read More About Dr. Wayne Schmidt

Schedule

Ceremony Tickets

Live Stream

Friends and family who are unable to physically attend are invited to view the Baccalaureate Service and the Commencement Ceremony via live stream.

Friday, May 10 Baccalaureate Service – Live Stream

No alternative on-campus viewing locations.

Saturday, May 11 Commencement Ceremony – Live Stream

On-Campus Live Stream viewing available at the Center for the Arts, Recital Hall.

Housing

For Graduating Residential Students
Graduating residential students in university housing will remain in their rooms through the close of Commencement. Halls/Townhouses close for Graduates at 6:00pm on Commencement Saturday (May 11).

For Off-Campus Graduates
Graduates who are off-campus in the spring semester will need to make arrangements for room and board while on campus for Commencement. Off-campus graduates should contact housing@houghton.edu to inquire about available housing as space allows.

For enrolled siblings of graduates and student participants (ushers, Houghton Choir, etc.)
Siblings and participants should contact their Residence Hall Director (RD) with questions regarding Commencement housing. Residence Life will email details directly to all students on how to submit housing requests; students should watch for email communications.

For Guests
There are several area accommodations for guests needing housing.

Meal Registration

Online Meal Orders

Family and friends can pre-purchase “through-the-line” meals for the Dining Hall for Friday lunch, Friday dinner, and Saturday breakfast. Your receipt from your online order will be your meal “ticket” to show at the Dining Hall. Graduating students do not need to purchase meals on Friday or Saturday.

Pre-order Meal Tickets

Meal Times

  • Friday Lunch, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
  • Friday Dinner, 4:30-6 p.m.
    Immediately prior to Baccalaureate Service
  • Saturday Breakfast, 8-9:30 a.m.
    Following Saturday’s Commencement ceremony, a light lunch reception will be provided.

Graduating students do not need to purchase meals on Friday or Saturday.

Graduation Regalia

Congratulations Seniors! Commencement is quickly approaching, and it is time to order your regalia (cap, gown, and tassel)! You have received an email with regalia ordering instructions. Place your order by March 8th to be picked up at the “Countdown to Graduation” event on April 11th and receive free shipping.

If you would like to have it shipped to your house, please select the “Ship to Home” option. The deadline for ship to home is April 19th.

Questions? Contact The Highlanders Shop or email: thehighlandersshop@houghton.edu 

Decorum Policies

The traditions of academic regalia followed at Houghton University date to the 13th century and follow guidelines provided by the American Council on Education. In keeping with this rich tradition, regalia gown length and style may not be altered, and stoles may not be customized in any way. Modest personal embellishments are permitted on the cap but must lay flat, cannot extend beyond the cap’s edge, and should be appropriate for Commencement at Houghton.

Only Houghton University approved regalia (including stoles, pins, cords, and medallions), which are bestowed and provided through the Provost’s Office may be worn at and during the Commencement proceedings. Decorative personal items (stoles for activity or affinity groups, leis, beads, sashes, etc.) may be worn following the ceremony.

Frequently Asked Questions