Commencement 2024

All Day

101 East 13th Street

Available spots

Upcoming Dates And Times

Start Date

End Date

Description

The 148th Commencement ceremony will take place on Saturday, April 27th, at 4:30 PM in Dimnent Memorial Chapel at Hope College.

About the Commencement Speaker

Rev. Dr. Carol M. Bechtel serves as Professor of the Old Testament at Western Theological Seminary. Before joining the faculty in 1994, Rev. Dr.Bechtel taught at the Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, Virginia. She has also served as a teaching fellow at Yale Divinity School and as interim pastor of Turn of River Presbyterian Church in Stamford, Connecticut. Rev. Dr. Bechtel preaches and teaches widely and is a General Synod Professor of Theology in the Reformed Church in America. She served as the President of the RCA’s General Synod from 2009-2010 and is currently the Executive Director of the American Waldensian Society. Rev. Dr. Bechtel is a native of Fulton, Illinois. She attended Hope College and Western Theological Seminary and received her Ph.D. from Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. She now lives with her husband, Tom Mullens, in Holland, Michigan. They have four children and ten grandchildren. She enjoys singing, cooking, gardening, and playing the Celtic harp.

To view the full Academic Calendar, click here.

Questions & Answers

When and where will commencement be held this year?

Commencement will be held at 4:30pm at Dimnent Chapel at Hope College, just a short walk to the north of our chapel, at 277 College Ave., Holland, MI 49423

Will commencement be livestreamed?

No. However it will be recorded, an email notification will go out when the link to the recording is posted.

Is there a restriction on the number of family and friends that can attend?

No, there is no restriction on the number of guest that you may invite.

Who is the commencement speaker?

Rev. Dr. Carol M. Bechtel, Professor of the Old Testament at Western Theological Seminary. Read her bio here.

Who orders my gown, cap, and tassel (GCT)?

The window to order your gown, cap, tassel and hood directly through the Herff Jones website has closed. If you are now planning to participate in the Commencement Service, please notify cherri@westernsem.edu to see about the availability of ordering GCTH. (Cherri will first need to confirm with the Registrar that you are on track to graduate.)

When and where is rehearsal?

Saturday, April 27, 1:00pm – 2:15pm, at Dimnent Memorial Chapel. All graduates should arrive in Dimnent Chapel by 12:50pm. Rehearsal will start promptly at 1:00pm. Dimnent Chapel is just north of WTS Mulder Chapel. Because of the number of graduates, and the need for all to clearly receive instructions, all graduates must attend. For the ceremony to go smoothly for each of you and your fellow graduates, it’s important for everyone to be present to receive the same instructions.

Is rehearsal mandatory for all graduates?

Yes, rehearsal and group photos are mandatory. If you have an extreme reason that keeps you from attending the rehearsal, you must contact the Faculty Marshal, Professor Sue Rozeboom, at sue.rozeboom@westernsem.edu at least two weeks in advance.

What time frame are graduates required to be available on Commencement Day?

If you HAVE HAD your individual photo taken & You HAVE picked up your GCTH: Please arrive at 12:50pm for a prompt rehearsal start time of 1:00pm.

If you HAVE NOT had your individual photo taken & HAVE NOT picked up your GCTH: Please arrive between 10:30am-12:00pm to pick up your GCTH and have your individual photo taken prior to rehearsal at 1:00pm.

All graduates:

1:00pm – 2:15pm - Rehearsal at Dimnent Chapel
2:20pm – 3:30pm – Group Class and Degree Program Photos at WTS in the Atrium
4:00pm – Graduates, faculty, and platform participants gather in the Dimnent Chapel basement
4:30pm – 6:00pm - WTS 148th Commencement

What time do graduates and all who are participants in the processional need to be at Dimnent?

Graduates, faculty, staff, and all who are a part of the processional will gather at 4:00pm in the lower level of Dimnent Chapel.

What time do the doors open at Dimnent Chapel for commencement guests?

Doors into the sanctuary for guest seating will open at 3:45pm.

Where can graduates, family and guest park on the day of commencement?

Parking is available on the WTS campus and on nearby streets. Hope College has also made parking available in lot 12 by the A. Paul Schaap Science Building. (This is for commencement day events only.)There will also be a limited amount of handicapped parking in the north staff lot closest to Dimnent Chapel.

Will WTS have a reception following commencement?

Yes, there will be a reception in the Commons at WTS. Faculty and staff will be present to celebrate with graduates.