Baker University will say farewell once again to several distinguished groups of students during the May commencement ceremonies.
“Commencement is one of the most important events in an individual’s life,” Executive Assistant Myra Glover said. “You may not realize it at the time, but you will realize it throughout the rest of your life.”
Countdown to Commencement Series
Baker will host three ceremonies on the Baldwin City campus in Collins Center to honor spring graduates from all its programs.
The School of Professional and Graduate Studies undergraduate degrees will be presented at 1 p.m. on May 11, and the School of Education and School of Professional and Graduate Studies ceremony will take place at 4:30 p.m.
The College of Arts and Sciences, School of Nursing and School of Education will have a joint ceremony at 1 p.m. on May 19.
While most students from the last ceremony have taken classes on the Baldwin City campus to complete their degree, attending the May 11 commencement will be the first time some online program participants have ever seen the campus.
“We have a student from New York graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration, and this will be their first time in Baldwin City,” Glover said. “There’s also a student coming from Texas who has never seen the campus.”
Glover said that all students seem to have a connection with Baker that lasts their entire lives, even if they don’t spend much time on campus.
“We are so rich in tradition, and I think that’s what commencement is all about,” Glover said. “This is your alma mater. It doesn’t matter if you go to 10 more schools; this is your alma mater.”
While senior Hayes Farwell will not experience his own graduation for another year, he has consistently volunteered to be a flag bearer at the ceremonies.
“Baker has such a well-grounded tradition, and it’s neat to be a part of that even if I’m just carrying a flag,” Farwell said. “I’m able to help out the university that has given so much to me and support my friends as they walk across the stage as well.”
