Baccalaureate

The Baccalaureate ceremony is a time-honored tradition for undergraduate students, with centuries old roots in Britain where members of the graduating classes of Oxford and Cambridge Universities each presented speeches in Latin on the eve of their graduation. The roots of the celebration come from the Christian tradition but have been expanded at Hood College to recognize and celebrate the rich diversity of spiritual traditions represented by our graduating seniors.

Seniors wear their commencement robes with their class dink. Under the robe, graduates should wear clothing appropriate for this special occasion. Jeans, t-shirts, flip-flops, etc. are not appropriate attire for the Baccalaureate Ceremony. Academic honor ribbons, cord and stoles and dinks should be worn to Baccalaureate.

It is a powerful bookend to the Hood experience. Just as students were welcomed at Convocation, seniors gather once more wearing their academic robes and their dinks—for one final time. This reflective service honors the friendships, growth and achievements that have shaped their years at Hood. As part of the ceremony, the senior class passes the torch to the Class of 2027. 

Immediately following the service, the Class of 2026 invites you to join them for Senior Sunset, a tradition joyfully rediscovered last year. As the sun sets across campus, the Class of 2026 will gather with classmates and loved ones to celebrate their final evening as Hood students with a champagne—or sparkling juice—toast. Continuing a tradition begun by last year’s graduates, members of the Class of 2026 will also share words from the Class of 1926, connecting today’s graduates with those who walked these same paths one hundred years ago.