Four Houghton graduates standing together for picture in graduation regalia.

Commencement

Congratulations Class of 2025!

Check back for regular updates. Updated: 1/23/2025

Baccalaureate

Friday, May 9, 2025 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.

Commencement

Saturday, May 10, 2025 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 โ€“ each graduate will receive four tickets for guests to attend in person.

Schedule
Tickets
Live Stream Links
Housing
Regalia
Decorum Policies
Frequently Asked Questions

Dear Families of the Class of 2025,

We look forward to Houghtonโ€™s spring Baccalaureate and Commencement ceremonies with great excitement! As the first class I was privileged to welcome to Houghton in 2021, this class and their celebration will be particularly special for me. This will be a wonderful weekend of memories as we celebrate their accomplishments and send them forth to have transformative impact in their families, communities, workplaces, and mission fields, near and far. I thank God for the opportunity to serve them duringย 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 yearโ€™s Commencement weekend. We will review and make any updates every Monday, so please check back for up-to-date information.

The class of 2025 has left an indelible mark on Houghton University and on so many of us. 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.

With great appreciation,

Wayne D. Lewis, Jr.
President

Houghton University President Wayne Lewis sitting at his desk.
Spring flowers on campus

Commencement Speaker

Saturday May 10, 2025
John and Charles Wesley Chapel, Houghton, NY

Andrew Westmoreland’s 40-year-plus career in higher education, including two college presidencies, illustrates his commitment to Christian higher education. For a combined 23 years, he served as president at Ouachita Baptist University (1998 to 2006) and Samford University (2006 to 2021), as well as chair of the Board of Trustees for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, which oversees accreditation for more than 800 colleges and universities from Virginia to Texas. He also served as president of the American Association of Presidents of Independent Colleges and Universities.

Beginning in 2023, Westmoreland was named president of the Christian College Consortium, of which Houghton University has been a founding member since 1971. Andrew currently serves as president emeritus of Samford University and executive director of the Frances Marlin Mann Center for Ethics and Leadership at Samford. As Senior Vice President of Higher Education, Andrew Westmoreland leads Faith Search Partners’ Higher Education service line, which has been serving many executive services for CCC and CCCU institutions. In addition to his role with Faith Search, Westmoreland serves as an at-large member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities Board of Directors.

In these roles, he brings decades of leadership experience as well as a heart for Christian higher education and a commitment to Christ.

Read more about Andrew Westmoreland
Andrew Westmoreland with blue suit coat. Houghton's 2025 commencement speaker.

Schedule

Ceremony Tickets

Live Stream

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

Housing

For Graduating Residential Students
Graduating residential students in university housing are able to stay in their current housing through the close of Commencement. Halls/Townhouses close for all students at 6:00pm on Commencement Saturday (May 10).

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 Guests
There are several area accommodations for guests needing housing.

Graduation Regalia

Commencement is quickly approaching and it is time to order your regalia (cap, gown, and tassel)! All orders must be placed by March 1st in order to receive free shipping to The Highlanders Shop for pick-up at the Countdown to Graduation Event that will be held on April 10th. If you would like to have it shipped to your house, please select the โ€œShip to Homeโ€ option.

Order your regalia online today >

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 Provostโ€™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