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 a smaller Fall Commencement for students who complete their academic requirements before the spring.
2025 Commencement
Marietta College will celebrate the Class of 2025 with a traditional academic Commencement ceremony starting at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, May 10, 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.
For family and friends unable to attend Commencement, the video of the livestream is available at:. https://www.youtube.com/live/8Ef2GFKMquI?si=Y6leCpidvSo_8zU-
There were technical issues during the Livestream which resulted in missing sections of audio and we sincerely regret that the National Anthem was inadvertently omitted at the beginning of the ceremony.
Jewett Prize Transcripts
The two Jewett Orations were not recorded in full. The transcript of each oration is included at the following links.
- The final bow, Paige Doseck, 2025 Jewett Prize Winner
- College was just one long sitcom, Angelina Dotson, 2025 Jewett Prize 2nd place
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.
2025 Commencement Speaker
Bart Gullong, ’70, will present the keynote address at Marietta College’s 188th Commencement. As a Marietta student, Gullong made a commitment to not “accept things the way they were.” Living a life that is a credit to the pioneer spirit, he has succeeded in making differences that have changed the world.
As an English major and rower at Marietta College, Gullong developed a sense of self and a personal mission that he said had a role in every endeavor he has pursued since graduation. With successes that include introduction of life-saving products, designs that changed air transportation, and actions that helped lead to Title IX equality for women in sports, his achievements exemplify how the foundation of a liberal arts education and a commitment to make a difference can change the world.
As the co-founder of Z-Medica and former Chairman of the Board, Gullong, with his partner, Frank Hursey, introduced QuikClot, a product that revolutionized how people suffering from life-threatening blood loss due to injury are treated. QuikClot has saved thousands of lives and decreased battlefield deaths from injury by more than half.
Gullong also was a rowing coach, whose teams won state and national titles and were world championship competitors. He served as Dean of Students at Southhampton College, and he helped design the Space Shuttle’s fly-by-wire system, which is the way that nearly every commercial airplane is flown today.
Commencement-related activities are listed below. More details will be added as they become available.
The Long Blue Line Brunch
Saturday, May 10
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 2025.
The buffet brunch will be held on Saturday, May 10, from 10:30-12:00 p.m. 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 May 1, 2025.
Academic Regalia Orders
The navy cap, gown, and tassel required for all graduation ceremony participants will be available for order through March 18 from Herff Jones for delivery to campus and pick up at GradFest (see below). Options for home delivery may be placed through April 13; shipping charges will apply.
In addition to cap, gown, and tassel, undergraduates will also wear white satin stoles embroidered with “Class of 2025” and the College seal. Stoles must be purchased separately from the Pioneers Team Store. Masters candidates do not wear stoles as their regalia includes a hood in the color of their discipline but may purchase a stole if desired.
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 2025 tassel.
Diploma frames and announcements are also available for purchase on the Herff Jones website.
GradFest
Date: Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Location: Upper Gilman at the Career Center and Pioneer Teams Store
All enrolled May 2025 graduates, as well as enrolled August and December 2025 graduates who will be participating in the 2025 Commencement, should plan to participate in GradFest in April.
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 winner of the Jewett competition has the honor of presenting their speech in person at the Commencement ceremony and also receives a cash award.
The contest to choose the Jewett speakers for the Class of 2025 will be held Wednesday, April 2nd, 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 speaker. Please contact Dr. Cheongmi Shim or Professor Ann Nicely with questions.
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 receive a QR code prior to the ceremony that will allow them to register multiple 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.