• a close up of someone wearing a graduation cap

    Hampden-Sydney College Commencement 2023

  • Commencement 2023 graduates in regalia processing

    Hampden-Sydney College Commencement 2023

  • Commencement 2023 graduates in regalia sitting atthe ceremony

    Hampden-Sydney College Commencement 2023

  • a professor in regalia leads the procession

    Hampden-Sydney College Commencement 2023

  • students attending the commencement ceremony at Venalble Hall lawn

    Hampden-Sydney College Commencement 2023

  • excited student graduates sitting at commencement

    Hampden-Sydney College Commencement 2023

  • Neil deGrasse Tyson addresses the student body at commencement

    Hampden-Sydney College Commencement 2023

  • cadets in uniform being commissioned at commencement ceremony

    Hampden-Sydney College Commencement 2023

  • excited graduates leaving commencement

    Hampden-Sydney College Commencement 2023

  • excited graduates leaving commencement

    Hampden-Sydney College Commencement 2023

Senior Events

Thursday, April 18, 2024

Senior Fair | Crawley Forum | 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Receive your regalia (cap, tassel, and gown); no purchase required. Pre-order regalia online no later than March 1.

Thursday, April 25, 2024

Final Convocation | Johns Auditorium | 11:30 a.m.
Seniors line up in full regalia at 11:15 a.m. on the Brown Student Center lawn.
During this ceremony, students are recognized for their scholastic and leadership achievements over the past academic year.

Senior Night | Thornton Place | 5 - 8 p.m.
Celebrate with dinner and live music at Thornton Place. Hosted by the Office of Alumni & Parent Engagement and Student Affairs. Rain location: Tiger Inn.

Sunday, May 5, 2024

Closure of Residence Halls | Noon
All Residence Halls will close by noon. Retain your room key for your return on Friday, May 10. Contact the Office of Residence Life if accommodations are needed from May 5-9 (i.e., for International or out-of-state students).

Commencement Weekend Schedule

Travel and Accommodations

If you haven't already, please make your travel arrangements now. The Visit H-SC page will help you find accommodations, dining, and local attractions.

Visit H-SC

Ordering Announcements

Announcements can be ordered on the Balfour website. Simply enter your location and school, and choose your preference. In addition to formal announcements, you may choose to order personalized stationary, thank you notes, and other printed items.

Balfour Announcements

Student Regalia

Regalia (cap, tassel, and gown) is required for Final Convocation and Commencement. No purchase required. Pre-order regalia online no later than March 1.

Pick up regalia at Senior Fair on April 18.

Questions about regalia should be addressed with the Office of College Events via email to ccary@hsc.edu.

Regalia Order Form

Photography and Videography

Photography
The College will again utilize local photographers to capture images of our graduates. You may purchase your son’s images for one set price.

  • Formal cap and gown photos will be captured during the Senior Fair on Thursday, April 18. These are optional. If you would like these images of your son, please encourage him to participate. He does not need to register in advance. We will have pre-steamed gowns, hats, etc. for use during the fair.
  • Photographers will be on-hand on Commencement day to capture your son’s graduation. Each graduate will be photographed during the diploma hand-off on stage and as he leaves the stage for a more celebratory shot. However, we also photograph them from line-up to champagne toast, so there may be additional images.
  • The College agrees to provide digital copies of these specific photos to you for a set price of $75, which includes two potential batches of images (cap & gown, and Commencement day).
  • To purchase your son’s pictures, please submit the following form:

Commencement Photography Request

The College will release a public photo gallery of images after Commencement. This gallery includes broad imagery across the day and is free of charge.

Videography
Memories Videography provides our videography services, including the live broadcast. The video will include footage not found anywhere else, to include graduate interviews during lineup. If you would like to order a copy of the video (download, dvd, or blu-ray) please make your request:

Memories Videography Request

Traffic And Parking Information

Parking will be directed by Campus Police and event staff.

Accessible Parking And Special Services
The College will provide golf carts to transport guests with mobility or health issues to the Commencement Day ceremony, reception, and parking areas. Upon arrival, you may request accessible parking.

ASL services available by request to: ccary@hsc.edu

Hampden-Sydney Campus Map

Inclement Weather

Annual Pronouncement Of Weather: "...And there shall be no rain."

Commencement 2024 will be held outdoors on the Venable Lawn. Guests should arrive prepared for weather conditions to include umbrellas (clear) or ponchos, and weather appropriate attire. All are encouraged to bring bottled water.

Please monitor the College website and student email Friday afternoon and early Saturday morning for updates in case of inclement weather.

Rain locations:
• Baccalaureate: Kirby Field House
• Senior Reception: Snyder Hall, Kirk Athletic Center
• Commencement Ceremony: Kirby Field House
• Commencement Reception: Snyder Hall, Kirk Athletic Center

Livestreaming Service

Family and friends who are not planning to attend in-person are able to watch the Commencement ceremony live, at no cost, using the following link: Ceremony Livestream

Ceremony Livestream

Obligations of Seniors

Business Office
Students must have all financial obligations settled with the College before they may receive their diploma or have transcripts released. Please contact the Business Office at (434) 223-6223 if you have any questions regarding financial obligations.

Room Check-Out and Key Return

  • Check-out: Office of Residence Life, Brown Student Center
    • Rooms must be clean, free of debris and personal property
    • Students will be charged for the cost of any debris removal or damages
    • Failure to complete check-out process results in fines of up to $50
  • Saturday, May 11, 2024: all college-owned student residences will be closed, locked, and vacated by 4 p.m.
    • Keys must be returned to 2nd Floor, Brown Student Center by 4 p.m.
  • Housing questions should be addressed by contacting Dean Schrader at jschrader@hsc.edu