May is a special month at The University of Olivet, and exceptionally meaningful to the seniors. 200 graduates from the Class of 2017 are celebrating their accomplishments with several events. With Commencement on Saturday, May 20, seniors start gearing up for the big day on Friday, May 19 with rehearsal and other special events.
Following rehearsal from 2-4 p.m., students may participate in Baccalaureate, a ceremony designed to be a blessing on the senior class. For graduates, lineup begins at 4 p.m. on the bottom floor of Mott Academic Center and will proceed into the Olivet Congregational Church at 4:30 p.m. Other attendees can grab a seat in the pews. Baccalaureate includes musical performances by the college community and, each year, the senior class selects a faulty member for a keynote speaker. This year, Matt Wait ’99, J.D., associate professor of interdisciplinary studies, will be sharing remarks under the theme “Wherever We’ll Go, We’ll Always Have Olivet.”
The evening concludes with the Senior Celebration in the Kirk Center at 5:30 p.m. Graduates and their families are invited to mingle with faculty and staff for refreshments. Dress is business casual. There are sure to be many photo opportunities during this last jubilee with your favorite senior. The KC will remain open for dinner at normal cost to those not attending the Senior Celebration; however, the menu will be specialized to accommodate the party.
Commencement is at the Cutler Event Center at 1 p.m on Saturday, May 20. Lineup for seniors will begin at noon. A photographer will be on hand to capture special moments, which will be available for order. There is no limit of how many guests can attend the ceremony. Free parking is available in numerous lots adjacent to the Cutler Athletic Complex.
Don’t miss out if you can’t attend! Join the celebration on the OC YouTube channel to watch the ceremony live streamed.
Cutler Event Center is a handicapped accessible facility. Find more information about Commencement and other graduation activities, including special seating requests, or contact Mary Anne McMullen, executive assistant to the provost, at 269.749.7131 or mmcmullen@uolivet.edu.