Claremont McKenna College is excited to honor the accomplishments of our graduates and their families! Our 77th Annual Commencement Events, honoring the graduates from Claremont McKenna College’s Class of 2025, will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2025 on the CMC Campus. This page will be updated in the coming weeks and months with additional information.
Questions? Please email events@cmc.edu.
2025 Commencement Schedule
Wednesday, May 7
| All Day | Last Day of Classes for Seniors |
Friday, May 16
| 8:30 a.m. | Commencement Rehearsal (Graduates only) | Arena, Roberts Pavilion(Mandatory for Graduates) |
| 1:00 p.m. | CMC 1Gen Celebration | McKenna Auditorium |
| 4:00 p.m. | Graduates and Families Reception | Mid Quad |
| 5:30 p.m. | Phi Beta Kappa Induction Ceremony | Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum(By invitation only) |
Saturday, May 17
| 10:30 a.m. | Brunch for Graduates and Families | Collins Dining HallAdvance purchase strongly recommended. $20 per person at the door. |
| 12:00 p.m. | Marquee Open for Ceremony Seating |
| 1:00 p.m. | Line-up for All Graduates | Arena, Roberts Pavilion |
| 2:00 p.m. | 77th Annual Commencement CeremonyDelight in the cheers of your classmates, family, and friends as you walk across the commencement stage to celebrate all of your accomplishments as a CMC graduate. |
| 4:00 p.m. | Reception for Graduates, Families, and FriendsEnjoy champagne and light hors d’oeuvres at a reception with your classmates, family, and friends! |
Sunday, May 18
| 12:00 p.m. | All graduates must be fully moved out of their residence hall/apartment areas. |
Additional Information for Families & Guests
- The Commencement ceremony and related activities are all ADA accessible. Reserved seating is available for guests in wheelchairs or who need additional accommodations. Unfortunately, CMC does not provide wheelchairs. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Events.
- The College requests that guests refrain from bringing pets to the outdoor graduation ceremony. Service animals are permitted. Thank you for your compliance.
- Tickets are not required for the graduation ceremony. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Seats may not be reserved but may be held if a family member remains under the marquee. Staff members will be onsite to assist with seating and any special needs.
- To ensure all can enjoy the ceremony and view the ceremony comfortably from their seats, CMC has contracted for individual photos of each graduate receiving a diploma during the ceremony. A link containing these images will be sent to you and your student via email approximately three weeks following the ceremony.
- Please visit cmc.edu on the day of Commencement for Live Streaming access of the Commencement ceremony. A banner will appear on the main image of the CMC home page with a link.
- Commencement announcements may be ordered through CB Announcements either online at www.cbgrad.balfour.com or by phone at (800) 433-0296.
- On Commencement Day, Sherwood Florist will be located under the Information Tent. Customers will pick up their pre-ordered flower leis, and there will be leis available for day-of purchases as well.
Expectations and Prohibited Items
The College is committed to ensuring that the Commencement Ceremony is safe, meaningful, and enjoyable for all individuals who attend or otherwise participate. Individuals who fail to comply with the Commencement Policies or who otherwise improperly interfere with or disrupt the Ceremony may be removed from the event and may be subject to arrest.
- The Claremont Colleges have polices related to Freedom of Expression and Demonstrations. Detailed information can be found here.
- The consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited. Intervention with an impaired or intoxicated person will be handled in a prompt and safe manner. The College reserves the right to deny entry to events to individuals displaying visible signs of impairment or intoxication.
- Willfully and maliciously disturbing another individual with loud and unreasonable noise is prohibited.
- Smoking of any kind (including “vaping”) is prohibited.
- Individuals are expected to comply with all requests from College staff or security personnel regarding event operations and emergency response procedures.
Prohibited Items
The following is a partial list of items that are prohibited the Commencement Ceremony and is subject to change. Please also note that the College does not provide storage for any Prohibited Item.
- Weapons of any kind (guns / knives of any size / pepper spray)
- Any object that can be used to inflict bodily injury or disrupt the event, including but not limited to sticks or poles, chemical dispensing devices, noise making devices, 2-way radios, air horns, bullhorns, or sound amplification system, laser lights or pointers, handcuffs, fireworks.
- View-obstructing flags, banners, or posters (larger than 24” x 36”)