Event Series
Commencement Celebrations Calendar
Oberlin is planning a weekend of celebrations for the Class of 2024, culminating with Commencement on Monday, May 27.
Please note that some meals and performances require tickets and/or advance registration. Events will be added to this calendar throughout the spring, so check back often.
![A mom adjusts her son's graduation cap.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/width_560/public/content/special-events/commencement/grad23_ygulenko.jpg?itok=pi2Km9T4)
Past Events
Unity Celebration
Thursday, May 23, 2024
10:00 am to 11:30 am EDT
John W. Heisman Field House
Unity Celebration is a ceremony to celebrate those of racially and ethnically underrepresented identities. This celebration strives to provide a sense of community by bringing our diverse student...
Class of 2024 Senior Garden Party
Thursday, May 23, 2024
12:00 pm to 1:30 pm EDT
President’s House
Join President Carmen Twillie Ambar and the Office of Alumni Engagement & Annual Giving for a Garden Party at the president's house. There will be brunch-style finger foods, and mimosas to...
Lavender Graduation
Thursday, May 23, 2024
3:00 pm to 5:00 pm EDT
John W. Heisman Field House
Lavender Graduation is a tradition at Oberlin College and Conservatory, which celebrates the accomplishments of LGBTQ+ graduates as they finish their time here on campus.
Archives Reunion Exhibit
Friday, May 24, 2024
9:00 am to 4:30 am EDT
Mudd Center, Seeley G.
Archives Reunion Exhibit (Classes of 1974 and 1999)
Self-Guided Tour: Oberlin Origins
Friday, May 24, 2024
10:00 am to 3:00 pm EDT
Oberlin Heritage Center
Oberlin Heritage Center's Monroe House (73 ½ South Professor street - south side of Conservatory parking lot/behind the Kohl building) Move at your own pace through the 1866 Monroe House,...
Letterpress Open House
Friday, May 24, 2024
12:00 pm to 4:00 pm EDT
Mudd Center, Seeley G.
Letterpress Open House. Come pull your own commencement broadside and learn more about the vibrant community of letterpress folks at Oberlin.
Guided Tour of Jewett House
Friday, May 24, 2024
2:00 pm to 2:45 pm EDT
Oberlin Heritage Center Jewett House (73 South Professor street)
Learn about Frank Fanning Jewett, Sarah Frances Gulick Jewett, Charles Martin Hall, the Aluminum Reduction Process, and life in Oberlin during the Progressive Era on this 45-minute guided tour of the...
Creative Writing Department Open House
Friday, May 24, 2024
4:00 pm to 6:00 pm EDT
Peters Hall
An open house hosted by the Creative Writing Department faculty and staff.
Tour: Scholars & Settlers History Walk
Friday, May 24, 2024
4:00 pm to 5:15 pm EDT
Oberlin Heritage Center
Meet at the flagpoles in the southeast corner of Tappan Square, at the intersection of Main (RT. 58) and College Streets . This 75-minute walking tour around Tappan Square explores some of the...
A Toast to Mudd at 50
Friday, May 24, 2024
4:00 pm to 6:00 pm EDT
Mudd Center, Seeley G.
Happy Birthday to the Library in Mudd Center! Champagne toast at 4:30 to celebrate our beautiful brutalist gem and 50 years of superlative library service! All welcome.
East Asian Studies Open House
Friday, May 24, 2024
4:00 pm to 6:00 pm EDT
Peters Hall
An open house hosted by the East Asian Studies Department faculty and staff.
Oberlin Shansi Open House
Friday, May 24, 2024
4:30 pm to 6:00 pm EDT
Shansi House
An open house hosted by Oberlin Shansi.
Heisman Club Senior Parent & Alumni Happy Hour
Friday, May 24, 2024
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm EDT
Austin E. Knowlton Athletics Complex - Social Space
An open house hosted by the Department of Athletics and Physical Education.
Oberlin's Acapella Groups Performance
Friday, May 24, 2024
7:30 pm EDT
Finney Chapel
Join Oberlin’s acapella groups: The Obertones, Pitch Please, ‘Round Midnight, The Acapelicans, and Nothing but Treble for an afternoon of fun music, filled with pop, classics, and even a...
The Grand Piano Extravaganza
Friday, May 24, 2024
8:00 pm EDT
Warner Concert Hall
Webcast Available
Watch the webcast – streamed live at concert time. How many pianos can we get on stage? This not-to-be-missed Oberlin tradition features performances by faculty, staff, and graduating seniors...
Self-Guided Tour: Oberlin Origins
Saturday, May 25, 2024
10:00 am to 3:00 pm EDT
Oberlin Heritage Center
Oberlin Heritage Center's Monroe House (73 ½ South Professor street - south side of Conservatory parking lot/behind the Kohl building) Move at your own pace through the 1866 Monroe House,...
Anthropology and Linguistics Open House
Saturday, May 25, 2024
10:30 am to 12:00 pm EDT
King Building
We will be having a combined Open House for ANTH major and minor graduates (and alumni) as well as Linguistics (LING) minor graduates (and alumni)
Tour: Freedom’s Friends History Walk
Saturday, May 25, 2024
10:30 am to 12:00 pm EDT
Oberlin Heritage Center
Meet on the front steps of First Church, corner of Main and Lorain streets (RT. 58 and RT. 511) Prior to the Civil War, as many as 3,000 African Americans passed through or lived in Oberlin after...
Class of 2024 Family Social
Saturday, May 25, 2024
11:30 am to 1:00 pm EDT
John W. Heisman Field House
Enjoy an informal social celebration with graduates, family members, and guests. Light lunch fare and beverages will be served. Please register to attend .
OSCA Alumni Picnic
Saturday, May 25, 2024
12:30 pm to 2:30 pm EDT
Harkness Bowl
OSCA and OSCAlums are excited to cooperatively host the 2024 OSCA Picnic! Join us to collectively honor graduating students and their families, current OSCA members who recreated OSCA after the...
Tour: Architecture History Walk
Saturday, May 25, 2024
1:30 pm to 2:45 pm EDT
Oberlin Heritage Center
Meet at the flagpoles in the southeast corner of Tappan Square, at the intersection of Main (RT. 58) and College Streets . Enjoy a leisurely stroll on this 75-minute tour which explores Oberlin...
Multifaith Baccalaureate Celebration
Saturday, May 25, 2024
1:30 pm to 3:00 pm EDT
Finney Chapel
Multifaith Chaplaincy & Sustained Dialogue presents one of the signature Commencement weekend events at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 25th, in Finney Chapel.
TIMARA Open House
Saturday, May 25, 2024
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm EDT
Bibbins Hall
An open house hosted by the TIMARA Department faculty and staff.
Environmental Studies Open House
Saturday, May 25, 2024
3:00 pm to 5:00 pm EDT
Adam Joseph Lewis Center for Environmental Studies
Guided tours will be available fro 3-4 pm. Light refreshments will be served.
Archives Open House
Saturday, May 25, 2024
3:00 pm to 5:00 pm EDT
Mudd Center, Seeley G.
Archives Open House - Reunion Exhibit (Classes of 1974 and 1999)
French and Italian Open House
Saturday, May 25, 2024
3:00 pm to 5:00 pm EDT
French House (la Maison Francophone or Bailey House)
An open house hosted by the French and Italian Department faculty and staff.
Phi Beta Kappa Initiation Ceremony
Saturday, May 25, 2024
3:00 pm to 4:00 pm EDT
Perlik Commons, Science Center
Initiation Ceremony for students being inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. Families and friends welcome.
Theater Open House
Saturday, May 25, 2024
3:00 pm to 5:00 pm EDT
Irene and Alan Wurtzel Theater
An open house hosted by the Theater Department faculty and staff.
Studio Art & Art History Open House
Saturday, May 25, 2024
3:00 pm to 5:00 pm EDT
Richard D. Baron ’64 Art Gallery
An open house hosted by the Studio Art & Art History Departments faculty and staff.
Archives and Friends of the Libraries Rooftop Reception
Saturday, May 25, 2024
3:00 pm to 5:00 pm EDT
Mudd Center, Seeley G.
Special for 25/50 Alums, but open for all. An exhibit of Archival materials from your time at Oberlin and a reception on the Terrell Library Sundeck. Sponsored by the Friends of Oberlin Libraries.
Heisman Club Hall of Honor Ceremony
Saturday, May 25, 2024
3:00 pm to 4:30 pm EDT
Jesse Philips Physical Education Center
The Heisman Club Hall of Honor was created as a means to recognize individuals who have helped advance the goals of the athletics and physical education department in the areas of varsity sports,...
Bonner Center for Community-Engaged Learning, Teaching, & Research Open House
Saturday, May 25, 2024
4:00 pm to 12:00 am EDT
Mudd Center, Seeley G.
An open house hosted by the Bonner Center faculty and staff.
Concert: Oberlin Baroque
Saturday, May 25, 2024
4:00 pm EDT
Fairchild Chapel
Webcast Available
Watch the webcast – streamed live at concert time. The Conservatory of Music, a pioneer and leader in historically informed performance, presents a program of Baroque chamber music featuring...
Commencement Recital I
Saturday, May 25, 2024
8:00 pm EDT
Finney Chapel
Webcast Available
Watch the webcast – streamed live at concert time. A performance featuring Conservatory of Music students from the graduating Class of 2024. Program: Jeanne Demessieux Te Deum, Op. 11 William...
Organ Pump: Late Night Music and Antics
Saturday, May 25, 2024
10:30 pm EDT
Finney Chapel
Enjoy a fun-filled musical spectacle! Hilarity guaranteed. Sponsored by the Organ Pump Committee of Oberlin. ----- Pardon Our Dust - Visitor parking nearby Finney Chapel is limited due to...
Shansi Breakfast
Sunday, May 26, 2024
8:30 am to 10:00 am EDT
Stevenson Hall
The Oberlin Shansi team is thrilled to announce that we will be holding an in-person Shansi Breakfast at this year’s Oberlin Commencement and Reunion Weekend on Sunday, May 26, 2024 from 8:30...
Self-Guided Tour: Oberlin Origins
Sunday, May 26, 2024
10:00 am to 3:00 pm EDT
Oberlin Heritage Center
Oberlin Heritage Center's Monroe House (73 ½ South Professor street - south side of Conservatory parking lot/behind the Kohl building) Move at your own pace through the 1866 Monroe House,...
Tour: Architecture History Walk
Sunday, May 26, 2024
10:00 am to 11:15 am EDT
Oberlin Heritage Center
Meet at the flagpoles in the southeast corner of Tappan Square, at the intersection of Main (RT. 58) and College Streets . Enjoy a leisurely stroll on this 75-minute tour which explores Oberlin...
Economics Department Open House
Sunday, May 26, 2024
10:00 am to 12:00 pm EDT
Adam Joseph Lewis Center for Environmental Studies
An open house hosted by the Economics Department faculty and staff. Come and celebrate the day with peers and professors!
Politics Open House
Sunday, May 26, 2024
10:30 am to 12:30 pm EDT
Rice Hall
An open house hosted by the Politics Department faculty and staff.
Biology and Pre-Medical Departments Open House
Sunday, May 26, 2024
10:30 am to 12:00 pm EDT
Perlik Commons, Science Center
An open house hosted by the Biology and pre-Medical Departments faculty and staff.
Neuroscience Department Open House
Sunday, May 26, 2024
10:30 am to 1:00 pm EDT
Science Center
Cinema and Media Open House
Sunday, May 26, 2024
11:30 am to 1:30 pm EDT
Peters Hall
An open house hosted by the Cinema and Media Department faculty and staff. Come and celebrate the day with peers and professors!
English Department Open House
Sunday, May 26, 2024
11:30 am to 1:30 pm EDT
Peters Hall
An open house hosted by the English Department faculty and staff. Come celebrate with peers and professors!
Art Library Open House
Sunday, May 26, 2024
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm EDT
Venturi Art Building
An open house hosted by the Libraries Department faculty and staff.
Papermaking Studio Open House hosted by Aimee Lee '99
Sunday, May 26, 2024
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm EDT
Hales Art Studio
Visit the papermaking studio that Aimee built, a library classroom that supports the Book Studies Program and hosts her Papermaking & Book Art Winter Term class. You can make paper in East Asian...
German Language and Literatures Open House
Sunday, May 26, 2024
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm EDT
German House (Max Kade Haus)
We will celebrate our graduating majors and minors as well as inductees to the German honorary society, Delta Phi Alpha.
Commencement Recital II
Sunday, May 26, 2024
1:00 pm EDT
Finney Chapel
Webcast Available
Watch the webcast – streamed live at concert time. A performance featuring Conservatory of Music students from the graduating Class of 2024. Program: Agata Zubel Trivellazione a percussione (...
Frank Lloyd Wright Open House / Commencement Weekend
Sunday, May 26, 2024
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm EDT
Weltzheimer/Johnson House
The Weltzheimer/Johnson House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, will be available for a walk-up open house. Presentations on the history of the home will be offered on the half hour. No advance...
Geosciences Department Open House
Sunday, May 26, 2024
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm EDT
Daub House
An open house hosted by the Geosciences Department faculty and staff. Welcome everyone!
Comparative Literature Open House
Sunday, May 26, 2024
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm EDT
Spanish House (La Casa Hispánica; Harvey House)
An open house hosted by the Comparative Literature Department faculty and staff.
Hispanic Studies Open House
Sunday, May 26, 2024
2:00 pm to 5:00 pm EDT
Spanish House (La Casa Hispánica; Harvey House)
An open house hosted by the Hispanic Studies Department faculty and staff.
Latin American Studies Open House
Sunday, May 26, 2024
2:00 pm to 5:00 pm EDT
Spanish House (La Casa Hispánica; Harvey House)
An open house hosted by the Latin American Studies Department faculty and staff.
Mathematics Department Open House
Sunday, May 26, 2024
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm EDT
King Building
An open house hosted by the Mathematics Department faculty and staff.
Comparative American Studies, History, Sociology and GSFS Open House
Sunday, May 26, 2024
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm EDT
Peters Hall
Reception being held in conjunction with History, GSFS and Sociology departments
Computer Science Department Open House
Sunday, May 26, 2024
2:00 pm to 5:00 pm EDT
King Building
An open house hosted by the Computer Science department faculty and staff.
Dance Department Open House
Sunday, May 26, 2024
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm EDT
Warner Center
An open house hosted by the Dance Department faculty and staff. Come and celebrate the day with peers and professors!
Psychology Open House
Sunday, May 26, 2024
2:30 pm to 4:00 pm EDT
Severance Hall
An open house hosted by the Psychology Department faculty and staff.
Chemistry & Biochemistry Open House
Sunday, May 26, 2024
2:30 pm to 4:30 pm EDT
Science Center
An open house hosted by the Chemistry & Biochemistry Department faculty and staff. From 2:45-3:30pm, we will have a short program recognizing each graduating senior.
George Boyer Vashon Tree Dedication
Sunday, May 26, 2024
2:30 pm to 3:00 pm EDT
Memorial Arch
The year 2024 marks the 200th birthday of Oberlin’s first African American graduate, George Boyer Vashon, who became the first Black lawyer in the state of New York and a prominent educator,...
Classics, Philosophy and Archaeological Studies Open House
Sunday, May 26, 2024
2:30 pm to 4:00 pm EDT
King Building
A combined open house hosted by the Classics, Philosophy and Archaeological Studies Departments faculty and staff.
Conservatory Reception
Sunday, May 26, 2024
3:00 pm to 4:00 pm EDT
David H. Stull Recital Hall
A celebratory reception congratulating the Class of 2024 and recognizing families and alumni of the conservatory and college music degree programs.
Black Families Appreciation Ceremony and Dinner
Sunday, May 26, 2024
3:00 pm to 5:00 pm EDT
Warner Concert Hall
A pre-commencement event created to celebrate the graduation and accomplishments of students of the African diaspora. Kente Cloth stoles will be given to students at the ceremony. The Black Family...
Religion Department and Jewish Studies Open House
Sunday, May 26, 2024
3:30 pm to 5:30 pm EDT
Rice Hall
An open house hosted by the Religion and Jewish Studies Departments faculty and staff.
OCircus! Commencement Show
Sunday, May 26, 2024
4:00 pm to 6:00 pm EDT
Hales Gymnasium
OCircus! is back with their commencement show - the largest circus show of the year! Join our talented aerialists, acrobats, stilters, and jugglers as they perform an amazing show for you! This event...
Contact Jam
Sunday, May 26, 2024
4:00 pm to 6:00 pm EDT
Warner Concert Hall
This annual event celebrates the legacy of Oberlin College's seminal involvement with the history of contact improvisation and brings the many generations of Oberlin Contact dancers together in...
TIMARA Open House
Sunday, May 26, 2024
4:00 pm to 6:00 pm EDT
Bibbins Hall
An open house hosted by the TIMARA Department faculty and staff.
Campus Illumination and Social on the Square
Sunday, May 26, 2024
7:00 pm to 10:00 pm EDT
John W. Heisman Field House
Join us for this Oberlin tradition that gathers faculty, alumni, graduates and their families, staff, and community members for an evening of music and fun. This year will feature food trucks, so...
Oberlin College Commencement
Monday, May 27, 2024
9:30 am to 12:30 pm EDT
Tappan Square
We will honor the graduates of the Class of 2024 with a Commencement Ceremony on Tappan Square.