Friday, May 25
NOON – 6 PM
Commencement Welcome Center
Families and students are invited to stop by the Commencement Welcome Center for information about events, locations, and more. The Welcome Center will also be distributing the Commencement and Reunion Weekend brochure, which is a full listing of the weekend’s events and activities.
Stephen Robert ’62 Campus Center, Welcome Desk
9 PM - 1 AM
Campus Dance
One of Brown's best-loved Reunion and Commencement traditions, the Campus Dance brings over 11,000 people to Brown to dance the night away under a sky lit with over 600 paper lanterns. The evening joins together graduating seniors and their families, alumni of all ages, and Brown faculty and staff. Everyone enjoys meeting old classmates, seeing favorite professors, and being with friends and family. Learn more and download the order form for tickets and tables.
Saturday, May 26
9 AM – 4 PM
Commencement Welcome Center
Families and students are invited to stop by the Commencement Welcome Center for information about events, locations, and more. The Welcome Center will also be distributing the Commencement and Reunion Weekend brochure, which is a full listing of the weekend’s events and activities.
Stephen Robert ’62 Campus Center, Welcome Desk
9:30 AM
Commencement Forums (various locations)
Commencement Forums are a series of academic colloquia with faculty, alumni, and distinguished guests. There are four sessions of Forums offered on Saturday, May 26 that are open to the campus community and guests.
11:00 AM
Commencement Forums (various locations)
Commencement Forums are a series of academic colloquia with faculty, alumni, and distinguished guests. There are four sessions of Forums offered on Saturday, May 26 that are open to the campus community and guests.
1:00 PM
Commencement Forums (various locations)
Commencement Forums are a series of academic colloquia with faculty, alumni, and distinguished guests. There are four sessions of Forums offered on Saturday, May 26 that are open to the campus community and guests.
1:30 PM
Baccalaureate Procession Line-up
Graduates participating in the Baccalaureate Ceremony should meet on Waterman Street (near the Stephen Robert ’62 Campus Center). Guests are asked to be seated on the Main Green.
2:00 PM
Graduate School Ceremony Rehearsal
All advanced-degree recipients are required to attend a walk-through of Commencement. Please check in at the registration table designated for your degree. This process helps us to organize the diplomas.
Lincoln Field
2:30 PM
College Baccalaureate Ceremony
Brown's 2012 undergraduate Baccalaureate speech will be given by Ruth J. Simmons, 18th president of Brown University. Simmons graduated from Dillard University and completed her Ph.D. at Harvard. After holding faculty and administrative positions at the University of Southern California, Princeton University, and Spelman College, she became president of Smith College in 1995 and President of Brown in 2001.
Please note: Because seating in the First Baptist Church in America is sufficient only for the graduating class, family and friends may watch a large-screen videocast of the service on the College Green, in the Salomon Center for Teaching, or in Sayles Hall.
Grounds of the First Baptist Church in America, Steeple and North Main Streets
3:30 PM
Commencement Forums (various locations)
Commencement Forums are a series of academic colloquia with faculty, alumni, and distinguished guests. There are four sessions of Forums offered on Saturday, May 26 that are open to the campus community and guests.
3:30 PM
Graduate School & Annual Fund Reception for Graduating Students
Gathering for advanced-degree ’12 candidates. See invitation for details.
8 AM – 3 PM
Commencement Welcome Center
Families and students are invited to stop by the Commencement Welcome Center for information about events, locations, and more. The Welcome Center will also be distributing the Commencement and Reunion Weekend brochure, which is a full listing of the weekend’s events and activities.
Stephen Robert ’62 Campus Center, Welcome Desk
8:45 AM
Graduate degree candidates should line up for the Commencement Procession. See 9:45 am listing for full details.
Waterman Street, outside of Faunce Arch
9:45 AM
The Undergraduate Commencement Procession
The traditional walk through the Van Wickle Gates, one of Brown’s oldest and greatest traditions, brings together the entire Brown community. The procession steps off promptly at 9:45 am from Waterman Street, outside of Faunce Arch. Graduate degree candidates should line up at 8:45 am. Alumni are asked to assemble at their assigned class locations by 9 am. Undergraduate degree candidates should report to the assembly area by 9:30 am. Medical School degree candidates line up at 10:30 am.
The College Green
10:15 AM
Graduate School Commencement Ceremony
This ceremony for graduate students, their families, and friends features the awarding of advanced degrees. The Horace Mann Medal is awarded. Dean of the Graduate School Peter M. Weber presides. Please visit the Graduate School Commencement page for more information.
Lincoln Field
11:15 AM (estimated)
Medical School Commencement Ceremony and Awarding of Degrees.
Doors will open at 10:30 am for general seating. The keynote address will be delivered by Joseph B. Martin, MD, PhD, the Edward R. and Anne G. Lefler Professor of Neurobiology at Harvard Medical School. Edward J. Wing, dean of medicine and biological sciences, will preside. Immediately following the Medical School ceremony, a post-graduation reception for the Medical School faculty, graduates and their families will be held at the Hope Club, across the street from the First Unitarian Church.
First Unitarian Church of Providence, Benefit and Benevolent Streets
12:10 PM (estimated)
College Ceremony
This ceremony takes place on the grounds of the First Baptist Church in America, President Ruth J. Simmons presiding. The ceremony will be videocast to the College Green, Salomon Center, and Sayles Hall.
Grounds of the First Baptist Church in America, Steeple and North Main Streets
12:45 PM (estimated)
University Ceremony
Senior orations and honorary and symbolic degrees are awarded on the College Green, President Ruth J. Simmons presiding. The ceremony will conclude at approximately 2 pm.
The College Green
2:15 – 4 PM (estimated)
Undergraduate Diploma Ceremonies
Following the conclusion of the University Ceremony, graduating seniors and their families attend individual undergraduate diploma ceremonies and receptions at which students are awarded their diplomas individually. Families and graduating seniors are strongly encouraged to meet at the location of their diploma ceremony rather than trying to locate each other on the College Green. Refreshments will be served at the diploma ceremonies.
Various Locations
