Grad Central Station
All those who will be graduating this year are invited to pick up regalia, meet with various departments, and enjoy refreshments provided by the Office of the President during this come-and-go event. Learn about continued resources to you beyond Houghton and be entered into some prize drawings and giveaways too. Please direct questions to the Highlander Shop or the Office of Vocation and Calling. More details will be coming February 2023. Please check your email for ordering information.

Seniors should check hub.houghton.edu for a updates on class events planned for the days leading up to commencement.

• Rehearsal (tickets for ceremonies distributed)
  10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
  John and Charles Wesley Chapel 
• Equestrian Senior Exhibition Show
  2:00 p.m.
  Houghton College Equestrian Center
• ROTC Commissioning Ceremony  
  2:30 p.m. (open invitation)
  Center for the Arts, Recital Hall 
• Through-The-Line Dinner 
  4:30 – 6:00 p.m. (Family and friends Meal Pre-orders available; no formal program) 
  Dining Hall 
• Graduates Assemble  
  6:00 p.m.
  Graduates assemble, in gowns (no caps), on the sidewalk in front of Luckey Building or in chapel lower level in case of inclement weather. 
• Baccalaureate Service 
  6:30 p.m.
  John and Charles Wesley Chapel
  Note: Doors open at 6:00 p.m. for ticketed guests
• Class of 2023 Reception 
  8:00 p.m.
  For seniors, their families, faculty, and staff
  Van Dyk Lounge, Campus Center
  *Fireworks to follow (view from Quad/Larder Courtyard)

• Through-The-Line Breakfast 
  8:00 – 9:30 a.m. (Meal Pre-Orders available)
  Dining Hall 
• Graduates Assemble  
  9:15 a.m.
  Graduates assemble, in cap and gown, on the sidewalk in front of Luckey Building or in chapel lower level in case of inclement weather. 
• Commencement 
  10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
  John and Charles Wesley Chapel 
  Note: Doors open at 9:00 a.m. for ticketed guests
• Post-Commencement Reception 
  Noon
  Campus Quad

Date and location to be announced January 2023.

In-person graduation celebration. Parents, family members, and friends are welcome to attend this special event in Buffalo, NY. Houghton University Buffalo students are invited to participate in both the commencement ceremony in Houghton, NY (May 12-13) and the commencement celebration in Buffalo, NY.

No tickets are required to attend the Baccalaureate Service in John and Charles Wesley Chapel. The Baccalaureate service will be livestreamed on the Houghton University homepage; however, there will not be alternative on-campus viewing locations.

Tickets are free of charge. Selling commencement tickets is strictly prohibited. Tickets are needed for seating in John and Charles Wesley Chapel only. 

At Commencement rehearsal (Friday, May 12 at 10:00 a.m.) each graduate will receive THREE (3) tickets for commencement (Saturday, May 13th). Tickets are designated for John and Charles Wesley Chapel but are not reserved by seat number (general seating only). Guests using wheelchairs or walkers must have a ticket to be seated in Wesley Chapel. 

Limited, first-come first-use non-ticketed seating will be available in the Center for the Arts Recital Hall via livestream.

Tickets are free of charge. Selling commencement tickets is strictly prohibited. Tickets are needed for seating.

Houghton University Buffalo students will receive tickets from Houghton University Buffalo Director prior to the event. Tickets are designated but are not reserved by seat number (general seating only).

On-campus students will remain in their rooms through the close of Commencement. Students who are off campus in the spring semester will need to make arrangements for room and board while on campus for Commencement.  

Students can contact their Residence Hall Director (RD) with questions. Residence Life will provide emailed details directly to students on how to submit housing requests; students should watch for email communications. 

There are several area accommodations for guests needing housing. 

Please review the May 2023 Potential Graduate List to confirm your participation in Commencement. If your name is not listed, your information is incorrect, or you have any other questions about your graduation status, please contact the Registrar’s Office: registrar@houghton.edu 

Diplomas will be mailed to the graduate’s home address on file in the Registrar’s Office approximately 6 weeks after completion of degree requirements. A diploma order form should be completed no later than April 15^th.

All university bills (including library fines) must be paid at least one week prior to Commencement; diplomas will not be mailed to students with outstanding balances or fines. 

All library books must be returned to the library at least one week prior to Commencement; diplomas will not be mailed to students with unreturned library books. 

Those with special family needs may contact commencement@houghton.edu. 

Each graduate will be individually photographed as he or she receives a diploma and walks across the stage. These photos will be provided to families by the University free of charge. Graduates should watch their Houghton email the week following the commencement ceremony for a link to download their photo.

Seniors should check hub.houghton.edu for a updates on class events planned between now and commencement weekend.

Graduation honors will be verified by the Registrar’s Office.

Flowers may be ordered from The Highlanders Shop.

May be ordered from The Highlanders Shop.