The 2023 Baccalaureate Ceremony

Seniors should arrive in cap and gown for the Baccalaureate Ceremony at Gantcher Family Sports and Convocation Center before 2:45pm.

The University Chaplaincy is deeply glad to welcome the Class of 2023 and their families to the Baccalaureate Ceremony at Gantcher Family Sports and Convocation Center on Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. ET. The multifaith ceremony will include:

Words of Welcome and Greetings of Peace from University Chaplain Reverend Elyse Nelson Winger
Senior interviews by video
The Wendell Phillips Address from Isabelle Charles, A23
An instrumental music performance by Tufts musicians
President Anthony P. Monaco's address to the Class of 2023
Words of blessing and sending from Tufts University chaplains

The event will be held in person on the Medford campus, and live-streamed.

What is the Baccalaureate Ceremony?

How is the Baccalaureate Ceremony different from Commencement?

While the Commencement Ceremony is launching you fully into your post-Tufts experience, the Baccalaureate Ceremony is the last time your class will be together to connect over your shared experience as Tufts students. Baccalaureate features student voices, song, and opportunities to reflect; we invite you throughout the Ceremony to reflect on your own experience of Tufts. Commencement is also for all graduating Tufts students, including graduate and professional students, while the Baccalaureate Ceremony is just for undergraduates and their guests.

What does the word “Baccalaureate” mean?

Do family and friends of a graduating senior attend?

What do seniors wear to the event?

A Tufts Tradition

The Baccalaureate Ceremony for the senior class is a tradition that began in 1864. Baccalaureate is a cherished moment during Commencement Weekend. It is the last time for the senior class to be together as a class before graduation. One senior is selected to give the Wendell Phillips Address, and the Tufts University President offers parting words to the class. The Baccalaureate Ceremony is a multifaith and multicultural celebration honoring a diversity of spiritualities, philosophies, and cultures at Tufts in the form of music, readings, and blessings. All are welcome, and generally all members of the senior class and their families attend.

Two people smiling at each other on stage in academic regalia

05/20/2023 - Medford/Somerville, Mass. - Wendell Phillips speaker Isabelle Charles, A23, receives acknowledgement before addressing fellow members of the Class of 2023 and guests during the 159th annual Baccalaureate service on the eve of Commencement at Tufts University on May 20, 2023. The Baccalaureate tradition began at Tufts University in 1864. The Wendell Phillips Memorial Scholarship is given annually to a junior or senior, recommended by the Committee on Student Life, who has demonstrated a high sense of public responsibility on the campus. This is one of the two prize scholarships (the other being assigned to Harvard College) that were established in 1896 by the Wendell Phillips Memorial Fund Association in honor of Boston’s great preacher and orator. (Alonso Nichols/Tufts University)

05/20/2023 - Medford/Somerville, Mass. - Members of the Class of 2023 at Baccalaureate on Saturday, May 20, 2023 (Alonso Nichols/Tufts University)

Chaplains standing in a semi circle on stage around a podium, one chaplain speaking at podium

05/20/2023 - Medford/Somerville, Mass. - Reverend Elyse Nelson Winger at podium for Words of Blessing and Sending (Alonso Nichols/Tufts University)

05/20/2023 - Medford/Somerville, Mass. - Members of the Class of 2023 at Baccalaureate on Saturday, May 20, 2023. (Alonso Nichols/Tufts University)

View recordings of previous Baccalaureate Ceremonies below:

2022

2021

2020 - The Wendell Phillips Speaker for the Class of 2020 will speak at the rescheduled Commencement Ceremony