Graduate Studies Commencement 2026

Welcome to the Bard College Graduate Studies Commencement registration form!

Online registration closes on Monday, May 4th.

If you have any questions, please contact events@bard.edu. View the Commencement schedule of events here. View some of the frequently asked questions here. *Denotes a required field.

Main Registrant's Information

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

I am a*

Class of 2026 Masters or Doctoral Degree Graduate

Family/Guest of Masters or Doctoral Degree Graduate

Type the name of your graduate in the box below. As you start typing, their name will auto-populate.

Graduate*

Do you plan to attend the Graduate Studies Commencement on Saturday, May 23rd?

Yes

No

How many people will be in your party?

Advance registration is required to reserve an accessible seat in the theater. Requests for accessible seating must be received on or before Monday, May 4.

I or someone in my party is in need of accessible seating and would like to be contacted about reserving a seat.

Yes

No

How many seats total would you like to reserve in accessible seating?

1

2

3

Graduate Studies Reception- Saturday, May 23, 12:30 pm

A reception will immediately follow Commencement under the Fisher Center Portico. Students, guests, faculty, and staff are all welcome.
Sosnoff Theater Portico, Richard B. Fisher Center

Do you plan to attend the Graduate Studies Reception following the ceremony?

Yes

No

Undergraduate Commencement Exercises- Saturday, May 23

1:30 pm 
Tent opens for seating
Tickets are not issued for Bard Commencement and seating is first come, first served. It takes place under a grand tent with a finite number of seats. To provide the most enjoyable experience for all our guests, we request limiting each party to 6.
Commencement Tent, Seth Goldfine Memorial Rugby Field

2:30 pm
Academic Procession
Alumni/ae from reunion classes are invited to join the Class of 2026, trustees, and faculty in the procession to the Commencement tent. (Academic attire is required.)
Formation at Annandale Road, south of the Chapel of the Holy Innocents

Livestreaming of Commencement
Olin Auditorium, Franklin W. Olin Humanities Building

3 pm
Commencement Ceremony
Celebrate the Class of 2026 and the awarding of honorary degrees. James C. Chambers ’81, chair of the Board of Trustees of Bard College, presiding, and The Right Reverend Matthew F. Heyd, officiating.
Commencement Tent, Seth Goldfine Memorial Field

Commencement Barbecue- Saturday, May 23

6:00–8:30 pm
Gather with family and friends.
$28 per adult, $22 for children ages 12 and under. Advance reservations recommended. Cash wine and beer.
Blithewood north lawn

Adult Options:

Pulled Pork

BBQ Chicken

Black Bean Burger

Vegan

Child Options:

Chicken BBQ

Black Bean Burger

Would you like to make a fully tax-deductible donation to Bard?

Other Gift Amount

Amount Due
Loading...

Amount Due

Loading...

ALL GUESTS ARE SUBJECT TO BARD POLICIES

Bard College endeavors to foster mutual respect and understanding among all members of the College Community. To that end, the College will not tolerate discrimination or harassment by any alumni/ae or other visitors.

All visitors are subject to Bard’s Policies, which can be found at:

bard.edu/nondiscrimination/policies and https://www.bard.edu/humanresources/training/.