Greetings! 

It’s hard to believe the finish line is in sight, and the view from The Hill has never looked more beautiful! April at Denison is a season of transition — a time to celebrate the incredible journey your student has taken from their first steps through Swasey Chapel to these final weeks on campus. 

To ensure your family can fully enjoy the celebration, this month’s guide is filled with essential information to help you prepare for Commencement. From Countdown to Commencement on April 9 to the final walk across the stage in the Mitchell Center, we want you to feel fully informed. We’ve included a breakdown of the Commencement schedule, a helpful FAQ, and even how to honor your graduate through the Senior Class Gift.

This is a momentous milestone for your student and your entire family! We are excited to celebrate with you in May.

Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions. Go Big Red!

Bryce Benton

Associate Director, Family Engagement & Lifelong Learning

Alumni & Family Engagement

bentonb@denison.edu

Conversation starters

• Looking back at your first year, what is one way you feel you’ve grown the most during your time at Denison?
• What is a Denison tradition or favorite spot on campus you’re going to remember the most?
• Which professor or mentor made the biggest impact on your journey here?

Commencement

Here’s what you need to know as your student wraps up their time on The Hill! 

Prior to Commencement festivities in May, encourage your student to attend two April events to prepare and celebrate their achievements!

Countdown to Commencement

Thursday, April 9 | 6 p.m. | Moon Hall

Students will join their classmates and Alumni & Family Engagement for a special reception, where they will receive their first “Denison Alumni” T-shirt. We’ll also unveil the schedule for Senior Send-Off, their celebratory final few days on campus. 

Academic Awards Convocation

Friday, April 17 |12:30 p.m. | Swasey Chapel

The campus community will celebrate the outstanding academic achievements of students and faculty at this special ceremony.

Class of 2026 student Commencement speaker

This year's student Commencement speaker selected from the Class of 2026 is Tram Mai "Nancy" Tran! Nancy is a double major in data analytics and sustainability and environmental studies from Dong Nai Province, Vietnam. She serves as a department fellow for both majors and plans to build a career at the intersection of data, climate, and community-centered innovation. 

A dedicated campus leader, she has served as president of the Vietnamese Student Association, helping them earn recognition for one of the Midwest's best cultural shows, and has also worked as a student assistant in the Alumni & Family Engagement Office and as a multilingual student consultant. Learn more about the Class of 2026 student Commencement speaker.

Commencement FAQs

When do families arrive? 

Most families arrive Thursday evening or Friday morning so they can take full advantage of Friday and Saturday’s Commencement events. 

What is Baccalaureate and why are there two offered? 

Denison’s Baccalaureate service is a celebration that provides graduating seniors with an opportunity to reflect with gratitude on their educational experience. Baccalaureate also serves as a blessing for the senior class members as they leave The Hill. The two services are identical and welcome all faiths and backgrounds. They are offered as a convenience, considering families’ differing schedules during Commencement. 

What is Senior Soirée?

The Senior Soirée is a social celebration that families are encouraged to attend! Food trucks will be available for you to purchase food, and dessert will be provided. Join us for music and dancing the night before Commencement! 

When does my student need to be out of the residence halls? 

All graduates must move out of their residence hall rooms by 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 16. Please encourage your student to pack early so they can enjoy the Senior Send-Off festivities. 

Will airport shuttles be offered after commencement? 

Airport shuttles will be offered for students on May 16 at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Shuttles cost $20. Students are sent an email with information on signing up directly on WhatToDU approximately one month before the shuttle. Please note that students must log in with their Denison credentials to sign up for a shuttle. Questions can be directed to clic@denison.edu.

For more information and helpful planning resources, please visit our Commencement website. Questions can be directed to commencement@denison.edu.

Senior Class Gift and Yearbook

Make a gift to Denison by April 30 to have your name listed in the online Commencement program — honoring your graduate and recognizing your family’s commitment to future generations of students.

Encourage your senior to also make a gift to the 2026 Senior Class Gift so they can be recognized in the Commencement program and receive a commemorative pin to wear during Commencement.

The 2026 edition of The Adytum, Denison’s official yearbook, is now available for pre-order. Want to purchase a copy for your senior as an end-of-year or graduation gift? Copies are $10 each, and all you need to do is complete this registration form to reserve yours.

Highlights from The Hill

Eboo Patel, interfaith leader, to keynote Denison Commencement

Patel, a prominent civic leader and author, who has been recognized as "one of America's best leaders" by U.S. News & World Report, will speak at the college's 185th Commencement exercises on Saturday, May 16. Read more about Patel's career.

One big day, two Big Red national titles

In a matter of hours on Saturday, March 21, Denison women's basketball and men's swimming and diving proved they were tops in DIII athletics by delivering two NCAA titles! Read more about this exciting achievement.  

Want to commemorate these historic wins? Official National Championship apparel is now available for purchase! 

Women’s Basketball

Men’s Swimming and Diving

The Arts at Denison

Visual Arts Majors Senior Exhibition, “It Was Never Just Then”

April 24

The Visual Arts majors of the Class of 2026 proudly present this year’s senior exhibition at the Denison Museum on April 24. “It Was Never Just Then” serves as a culmination of their artistic practices developed during their time at Denison.

A wide range of work will be presented in the exhibition, including painting, fiber and textile work, installation, printmaking, and digital media. Together, the exhibition highlights the diverse approaches and conceptual inquiries emerging from Denison’s graduating visual artists.

The Department of Music Theatre at Denison presents “Spring Awakening”
April 30 - May 3

Winner of eight Tony Awards, “Spring Awakening” is a powerful, rock-driven coming-of-age musical that explores the restless yearning and suffocating alienation of adolescence. Set in 1891 Germany, the story follows a group of young classmates as they navigate desire and self-discovery in a rigid, unforgiving society. 

This event is free but tickets are required. Reserve your tickets at artsatdenison.ludus.com. 

Big Red Athletics

Golf, lacrosse, tennis, track and field, baseball, and softball will be in full swing in April! Check here to see if Denison athletics will be in your neck of the woods and show your Big Red pride! You can always watch our teams in action on the Denison Sports Network. 

Knowlton Updates 

• Denison Edge programs are available at no cost to current students and alumni for up to 10 years after graduation. This summer, students and recent graduates can take advantage of a wide range of fully online programs designed to fit their schedule, wherever they are. Explore and register for programs in AI, marketing, finance, analytics, business, logistics, and more - all taught by experienced industry professionals. Programs are also available for families and friends! 
  
  
• As your student prepares for life after Denison, they have free access to a powerful resource: Kaplan test prep and professional training. Through Denison's partnership with Kaplan, current students and recent alums (within five years of graduation) can access high-quality prep courses for graduate school exams (GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT), professional certifications, and in-demand career skills training. Whether your student is applying to grad school, pursuing a professional license, or building their resume, Kaplan's expert-designed tools are available at no cost. Encourage your student to take advantage of this valuable benefit as they plan their next steps. Students can access Kaplan through Knowlton Connect.

National Survey of Student Engagement 

At Denison, we are constantly looking for ways to improve the campus experience, both in and out of the classroom. To help us keep advancing, encourage your student to complete the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) by April 20. 

The NSSE is a national survey that asks students about their experiences at their college or university. Student feedback provides us with vital data on:

• How students spend their time and what they gain from their classes.
• The quality of their interactions with faculty and peers.
• How we can better support their academic and personal growth.

On March 23, seniors received an invitation to participate in the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). The survey invitation was sent directly to your student’s Denison email account.

Stay connected

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