One of the Commencement weekend traditions at Whitman College is a Baccalaureate Ceremony. The event is an opportunity to pause in reflection and gratitude, to celebrate remarkable accomplishments and to honor the important transition from student to graduate.

Hosted by the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life, Baccalaureate is an hour-long celebration featuring music from graduating music majors and brief readings, prayers and reflections from a wide range of religious traditions including humanist/non-religious perspectives. It is an opportunity to gather in community around whatever each of us finds meaningful or sacred—for those of all faith traditions, for those of no faith tradition and for everyone in between.

The 2024 Baccalaureate will take place on Saturday, May 18 at 2:30 p.m. in Cordiner Hall. The keynote address will be delivered by the Venerable Thubten Chodron, an innovative American Buddhist teacher and founder of Sravasti Abbey, north of Spokane, Washington.