Willamette College Commencement Schedule

Commencement Schedule 2026

The below events are welcome to all Willamette community members.

Monday, April 20, 2026

Time	Event	Location
6:00 to 7:30 p.m.	Lavender Celebration This is a gathering to celebrate our LGBTQ+ graduates. There will be treats, a fun program, student speakers, and a drag performance. Contact: Lisa Logan	Cat Cavern – Salem Campus

Thursday, April 30, 2026

Time	Event	Location
5:30 to 7:00 p.m.	First Generation Celebration Celebrate our First Generation College Graduates on the Salem campus! Refreshments and appetizers will be provided during the program. Contact: Juliane Corpus	Cat Cavern – Salem Campus

Friday, May 1, 2026

Time	Event	Location
5:30 to 7:00 p.m.	Intercultural Celebration Come celebrate our BIPOC graduates! Refreshments and appetizers will be provided during the program. Contact: Juliane Corpus	Cat Cavern – Salem Campus

Monday, May 4, 2026

Time	Event	Location
12:00 to 4:00 p.m.	Cap Decorating An event for graduating seniors to choose from a plethora of craft supplies to decorate their caps to reflect their unique personalities, majors, or future goals. Contact: Jodi Santillie	Cat Cavern – Salem Campus

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Time	Event	Location
12:00 to 4:00 p.m.	Cap Decorating An event for graduating seniors to choose from a plethora of craft supplies to decorate their caps to reflect their unique personalities, majors, or future goals. Contact: Jodi Santillie	Cat Cavern – Salem Campus

Wednesday, May 6, 2026

Time	Event	Location
12:00 to 4:00 p.m.	Cap Decorating An event for graduating seniors to choose from a plethora of craft supplies to decorate their caps to reflect their unique personalities, majors, or future goals. Contact: Jodi Santillie	Cat Cavern – Salem Campus

Thursday, May 7, 2026

Time	Event	Location
12:00 to 4:00 p.m.	Cap Decorating An event for graduating seniors to choose from a plethora of craft supplies to decorate their caps to reflect their unique personalities, majors, or future goals. Contact: Jodi Santillie	Cat Cavern – Salem Campus

Friday, May 8, 2026

Time	Event	Location
12:00 to 4:00 p.m.	Cap Decorating An event for graduating seniors to choose from a plethora of craft supplies to decorate their caps to reflect their unique personalities, majors, or future goals. Contact: Jodi Santillie	Cat Cavern – Salem Campus
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.	Class of 2026 Celebration hosted by Alumni Relations and Annual Fund Join the Alumni Office and Annual Fund teams in a celebratory evening before graduation! Activities, snacks, and drinks will be provided as well, with brief remarks from our organizers at 6:00 p.m. Contacts: Sayre Cohen & Roan Keller	Cat Cavern - Dining Room 1&2 & Northdeck – Salem Campus

Saturday, May 9, 2026

Time	Event	Location
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.	Willamette Store Open	University Center, First Floor – Salem Campus
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.	Phi Beta Kappa Induction Ceremony	Cat Cavern – Salem Campus
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.	Willamette College Senior Art Exhibit	Hallie Ford Museum of Art – Salem
12:00 to 4:30 p.m.	Bistro Open	Bistro – Salem Campus
2:00 to 3:00 p.m.	Senior Graduates Music Celebration	Hudson Hall – Salem Campus
3:00 to 4:00 p.m.	Senior Graduates Music Reception	Hudson Lobby – Salem Campus
5:30 to 7:00 p.m.	WU Baccalaureate	Hudson Hall – Salem Campus

Sunday, May 10, 2026

Time	Event	Location
8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.	Willamette Store Open	University Center, First Floor – Salem Campus
8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.	Bistro Open	Bistro – Salem Campus
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.	Commencement Brunch	Goudy Commons – Salem Campus
10:30 to 12:30 p.m.	Senior Art Exhibit Open House	Hallie Ford Museum of Art – Salem
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.	Salem Undergraduate Department Open Houses	Various (Academic Buildings) – Salem Campus
12:15 p.m.	Salem Undergraduates Line Up	Cone Fieldhouse – Salem Campus
1:00 p.m.	Salem Undergraduate Faculty Line Up	Henkle Gym – Salem Campus
1:30 to 4:00 p.m.	Salem Undergraduate Commencement	Quad – Salem Campus