Commencement 2026 Schedule of Events
Please note that all events are subject to change.
Friday, December 5, 2025
Winter Graduate Celebration
3-4:30 p.m. R.W. Kern Center Lobby
We will honor and celebrate the accomplishments of the amazing Hampshire graduates from winter 2025. We look forward to having families and friends on campus to cheer them on!
Monday, May 11
Lavender CELEBRATION
5-7 p.m. in the Prescott Courtyard (Outside of the Queer Community Alliance Center)
Join the Queer Community Alliance Center in celebrating and honoring our LGBTQ+ graduates. We will gather to hear from special guests and present each graduate with a rainbow graduation tassel to wear at Commencement as well as other celebratory graduate favors.
Thursday, May 14
Interfaith Gathering for the Graduates
Noon–1:30 p.m. in the Spiritual Life Center (Enfield 63B)
Please join us for an interfaith gathering for our graduates. We welcome graduates, their families and friends, and Hampshire community members to this reception to honor the diversity of religious and spiritual practices of our graduating class. We will offer a chance for people to speak and lunch will be served.
Mandatory Graduate Informational Meeting
3–4 p.m. in the Main Lecture Hall in Franklin Patterson Hall
All graduating students are required to attend this informational session for Commencement.
Friday, May 15
Division III Gallery Exhibit
10 a.m.–8 p.m. in the Hampshire College Art Gallery in Harold F. Johnson Library
The Division III Gallery Exhibit is a group show that features a selection of work in painting, comics, digital art, photography, installation, fabric arts, sculpture, and more, curated by a team of peers.
Division III Showcase
1–3 p.m. in Franklin Patterson Hall
Come enjoy a sampling of Division III projects presented by Hampshire's graduates. The showcase includes academic presentations, performances, film screenings, and readings. You may pick up a schedule in the Franklin Patterson Hall lobby beginning at 10 a.m. on Friday. See the schedule.
Community Bell Ringing
3:15–4 p.m. in front of Harold F. Johnson Library
Immediately following the Division III Showcase, we ask everyone to join us at the Division-Free Bell at the Harold F. Johnson Library. Learn about the history of the bell, and celebrate graduating students as they ring it to mark the successful culmination of their Hampshire education.
Community Commencement Reception
4–5:30 p.m. under the Charles and Polly Longsworth Solar Canopy
Join graduating students, friends, and families to celebrate their Commencement with drinks and hors d'oeuvres.
Saturday, May 16
HampStore
9 a.m.–2 p.m. in the lower level of the Harold F. Johnson Library
Come pick up some Hampshire memorabilia!
Division III Gallery Exhibit
10 a.m.–8 p.m. in the Hampshire College Art Gallery in Harold F. Johnson Library
The Division III Gallery Exhibit is a group show that features a selection of work in painting, comics, digital art, photography, installation, fabric arts, sculpture, and more, curated by a team of peers.
Coffee and pastries
Kern Center: Continental Breakfast available from 9-10:30 a.m.
Kern Center Open Hours: 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Please join us in the R.W. Kern Center for a light continental breakfast from 9–10:30 a.m.
Commencement Ceremony
11 a.m.–1 p.m. under the tent on the library lawn
Join us for a celebration of our 2026 graduates! Commencement will involve several community speakers and recognition of each graduate. The Commencement procession will begin at 10:45 a.m. followed by the ceremony at 11 a.m. If you're unable to join us in person, the Commencement ceremony will be live streamed on YouTube, and a full video will be posted after the event.
OPENING OF THE CEREMONY
TBA
WELCOME
TBA
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Javiera Benavente, Assistant Dean of Collaborative and Community Engaged Learning
(read the Living Land Acknowledgment)
CELEBRATORY ADDRESS
Jennifer Chrisler, President
STUDENT MODERATOR
TBA
STAFF TOAST
TBA
FACULTY TOAST
TBA
STUDENT ADDRESS
TBA
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
TBA
ALUMNI TOAST
TBA
CONFERRAL OF DEGREES
Jennifer Chrisler, President
Gary Hawkins, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty
CLOSING OF THE CEREMONY