Commencement Guest Information

Thank you for joining us to celebrate your graduate! We're happy to have you on the Hilltop for this special day. For your enjoyment and safety, please note the following:

Event venue

• Commencement will be held in the arena of the Richard and Norma Small Athletic and Wellness Center (the SAW) on the north edge of campus. Parking is available in the adjacent lot. Parking overflow is available in any Cornell guest lot and on the street. (There is no parking fee or permit required for the ceremony.)
• Accessible parking and entrance can be found on the west side entrance to the facility, a single elevation corridor leads from the west entrance to the arena.
• Guests are encouraged to use the front or west side entrance to access the venue. Signage will direct you to the arena area.

Finding assistance

• Ushers and staff are identified by name tags to assist you.
• Accessible restrooms are readily available. Ask an usher or staff member for directions if locations are not evident.
• Golf carts are available to transport those who need assistance. Call 319.895.4334 for golf cart service.
• A first aid station is adjacent to guest seating.
• ASL interpreters will be stationed on the east edge of the ceremony stage for the hearing impaired.
• Items lost during the ceremony will be taken to the first aid station. They are moved to the Thomas Commons Information Desk 30 minutes after the ceremony.

Ceremony etiquette

• Please clear the aisles during the processional and recessional.
• Please silence your cell phone during Commencement.
• Note that students do not process in alphabetical order, instead they process according to how they've seated themselves by affinity.
• Professional portraits will be taken of each graduate as they exit the stage, please do not obstruct the views of others by crowding the stage for personal photos during the ceremony.
• Following the benediction at the end of the ceremony, please remain at your seats while those on stage recess. Students will remain in the seating area and can join their families once the recessional is done.
• Please follow and post about our graduates on social media using #CornellCGrad and our stickers on Instagram.

After the ceremony

• Graduate and family bruch is served at the Hilltop Café in Thomas Commons from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• All residence halls will close at 5 p.m.
• Every graduate will receive a link to their portraits, as well as a link to a personalized video of their graduation moment on stage.
• Commencement recap information will be shared on this website in the week following the ceremony.

Cornell College Alumni Association

Today the Class of 2024 joins nearly 17,000 alumni as members of the Cornell College Alumni Association. Learn more at alumni.cornellcollege.edu.