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Marietta College's traditional graduation ceremony takes place in May. A commencement speech encourages the students before they receive their degrees and become members of Marietta College's Long Blue Line. Marietta also has an informal Fall Graduation ceremony for students who complete their academic requirements before the spring.

2024 Commencement

Marietta College will celebrate the Class of 2024 with a traditional academic Commencement ceremony starting at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, May 4, in the Dyson Baudo Recreation Center. Doors open to the public at 11:00 a.m. Students and families are encouraged to attend The Long Blue Line Brunch before the ceremony from 10:00-11:30 a.m.

For family and friends unable to attend Commencement, Marietta College will live stream the Commencement ceremony. The link will be available on this page on the day of the event. Please contact the Records Office at records@marietta.edu or 740.376.4723 with any questions about commencement.

Accessible Parking & Seating

Accessible parking will be provided for the Commencement Ceremony in the Mass Media parking lot and behind the McDonough Center and Admission House. An official accessible identification sign or sticker must be visible in the vehicle. Parking is on a first-come, first-served basis. Shuttles will be available from the parking area to the DBRC entrance. If a shuttle is not present when you arrive or is needed from general parking, please call 740.376.3333 to request a pickup.

Accessibility seating will be available immediately behind the graduate seating area. Seating in this section is available on a first-come, first-served basis and is set up for the individual needing accommodation and one or two others. This area is NOT intended for large family groups; we ask that additional chairs not be moved into this area. A wheelchair will be available at the entrance for those needing assistance navigating to the seating area.

2024 Commencement Speaker

Brendan Adkinson ’16

 

Brendan Adkinson sitting in front of the Yale University School of Medicine

 

Brendan Adkinson ’16 will present the keynote address at the 187th Commencement ceremony scheduled for Saturday, May 4, at 1:00 p.m. in the Dyson Baudo Recreation Center.

Adkinson graduated from Marietta College with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Neuroscience and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish. He was the first graduate from Marietta’s Neuroscience program. He is enrolled in Yale University’s MD-PhD program and will complete his PhD in Neuroscience in 2025 before returning to Yale for the final two years of medical school.

Since graduating from Marietta, he has conducted, presented and published neuro-behavioral research that focuses on the intersection of artificial intelligence, mental health, and rural healthcare. He is the lead or co-author on many scientific research articles. He received a $120,000 grant from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities focused on how healthcare algorithms may be biased in underrepresented populations. Adkinson has also founded a startup that uses AI to make admissions consulting more accessible.

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Commencement-related activities are outlined below. More details will be added as they become available.

The Long Blue Line Brunch

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 
Saturday, May 4
Fenton Court

The Marietta College Office of Alumni Engagement and Alumni Association Council cordially invite you and your family to attend The Long Blue Line Brunch honoring the Marietta College Class of 2024. 

The buffet brunch will be held on Saturday, May 4, from 10:30 a.m. – noon on Fenton Court. Enjoy a performance by Flood Stage and the Marietta College Alumni Association Council will welcome the graduates to The Long Blue Line during the reception. 

Graduating seniors will receive complimentary tickets, courtesy of the Marietta College Alumni Association Council. Additional tickets for family or friends may be purchased for $20 per person.

All attendees — including graduating seniors — must register by April 22, 2024

 

Register here


Academic Regalia Orders

The navy cap, gown, and tassel required for all graduation ceremony participants are available for order through March 12 from Herff Jones for delivery to campus and pick up at GradFest (see below). Orders for home delivery may be placed through April 7; shipping charges will apply.

In addition to cap, gown, and tassel, undergraduates will also wear white satin stoles embroidered with “Class of 2024” and the College seal. Stoles must be purchased separately from the Pioneers Team Store. Masters candidates will be presented with hoods in the color of the discipline, provided by the academic department.

A small quantity of regalia will be available for use on a first-come, first-served basis for those who miss the deadline or were otherwise unable to purchase. Cost-savvy students who are able to borrow regalia from previous graduates may contact the Records Office to order a 2024 tassel.

Diploma frames and announcements are also available for purchase on the Herff Jones website.

GradFest

All enrolled May 2024 graduates, as well as enrolled August and December 2024 graduates who will be participating in the 2024 Commencement, should plan to visit the Team Store on April 17 between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to participate in GradFest.

At GradFest, you will provide the pronunciation of your name, verify your diploma name and mailing address, learn how the Center for Entrepreneurship and Career Development can continue to support you after graduation, and confirm that we have the most current academic program information for your degree, i.e., all expected major(s), minor(s), and/or certificate(s).

You will also pick up your regalia, which can be steamed during GradFest or during the week of finals by making an appointment through handshake here

Jewett Speech Competition

The Jewett Speech Competition is one of the oldest commencement traditions at Marietta College. The first and second-place winners of the Jewett competition will present their speeches in person at the commencement ceremony.

The contest to choose the Jewett speakers for the Class of 2024 will be held Wednesday, April 3rd, at 6:00 p.m. in Mills 107. A panel of faculty from various academic disciplines, students appointed by SGA, and administrators will select the winning speakers. Not only do the students who are chosen have the honor of speaking as part of commencement, they will also receive awards of $100 for first place and $50 for second place. If you missed the informational meeting, contact Dr. Shim (cs009@marietta.edu ) or Dr. Clemens (cmc004@marietta.edu) for details. 

Commencement Photography

Bruce Heflin Photography will be taking photographs for purchase of each graduate as they receive their diploma and cap & gown photos, as well as candid photos throughout the ceremony. Graduates will be receiving a QR code prior to the ceremony that will allow them to register up to 14 cell phone numbers and/or email addresses where candid images will be sent the day of the ceremony. This is a great way to include friends and family who cannot attend. No purchase is required to participate in sharing of candid photos.

Celebrate Your Graduate!

The Commencement Group will be on-site with various graduation gifts available for purchase to celebrate this milestone in your graduate’s life. Expedite your purchase by pre-ordering online.

Commencement Documents

Community Resources