While most students will be donning a stocking cap and hitting the road after finals, many Baker students will be dawning a different cap, plus a gown as their college days come to a close.

The Baker Winter Commencement weekend starts Friday and features three separate graduation ceremonies.

Provost Randy Pembrook believes the graduation ceremonies are special at Baker because they offer a sense of familiarity.

“You have an experience where you know people,” he said. “It just feels like family, which is one of the things unique to Baker University.”

The weekend events begin with the School of Nursing Pinning Ceremony at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Topeka.

A commencement brunch starts the day off at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 13, in the Harter Union cafeteria.

The School of Professional and Graduate Studies Graduate Degree Commencement Ceremony starts at 1 p.m., with approximately 225 students graduating, and at 2:30 p.m. a reception will be held in the union.

A Toast and Hooding Rehearsal for the School of Education graduate degree candidates takes place at 3 p.m.

At 4 p.m. the School of Education Graduate Degree Commencement Ceremony occurs with around 148 students graduating.

A worship service at Clarice L. Osborne Memorial Chapel starts at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 14, with an Alpha Delta Sigma Initiation Ceremony at 10:30 a.m. and a commencement brunch at 10:30 a.m.

At 1 p.m., 230 students will receive diplomas during the undergraduate degree ceremony for the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Education, School of Nursing and School of Professional and Graduate Studies.

At 2:30 p.m. another reception will be held in the union lobby.

Assistant to the Provost Jackie Ware-Sodsod said including the several Baker campuses in the ceremonies is what makes the graduation so different.

“We have so many schools that it makes it a unique experience,” she said.

Pembrook said those in charge of graduation purposely attempt to create an “intimate feel.”

“We try to make the ceremonies specific to the school,” he said.

Several campus attractions including Holt-Russell Gallery, the Quayle Bible Collection, Old Castle Museum and the Baker University Bookstore will have special hours to accommodate the graduates and families.

Graduating senior Ashley Olson is intrigued about the idea of graduating.

“I’m excited because I get to move on with the next chapter of life. It’s definitely bittersweet,” she said.