Where to park

Guests are welcome to park in any campus parking space. Primary parking areas for Commencement include the Burton Morgan parking garage, the lot adjacent to Kienzle-Hylbert, Swasey lot, and Eisner lot — all free of charge. The Mitchell Center lot is reserved for accessibility and designated parking only. A limited number of disability spaces are also available in the Burton Morgan garage.

Parking Info

Tickets

  • Commencement is a private event limited to Denison students, families, friends, faculty, and staff. Tickets are required for entry.
  • If you misplaced or need extra tickets go to the Experience desk just inside The Mitchell Center.

Guest seating

  • Doors open at 8:30 a.m., processional begins at 10:20 a.m., and graduation begins promptly at 10:30 a.m. Please be seated by 10:15 a.m.
  • Seating in the Mitchell Center Field House is available on a first-come, first-seated basis. 
  • All seating in the Mitchell Center Field House is accessible by wheelchair. Seating in all areas is general and unreserved.
  • Ushers will help guide individuals to restrooms and will be available to assist attendees in any emergency.
  • The All American Room in the Mitchell Center will be available throughout Commencement as a livestream viewing space for guests.
  • We strongly recommend wearing comfortable shoes.

Wi-Fi access 

For complementary Wi-Fi access, connect to “Denison Guest,” and follow the instructions. We appreciate your help in conserving bandwidth for essential use so that every family can stay connected today.

Safety & security

  • This is a celebratory day for our students and all they’ve accomplished. Please note that persons engaging in behavior that is considered disruptive will be asked to leave the ceremony.
  • Signs, banners, or other visual displays are prohibited, as are noisemakers and amplifying devices. Large totes, bags, and backpacks are not permitted. Medical exceptions are permitted.
  • At large-scale campus events like Commencement, Denison supplements our Campus Safety team with additional local law enforcement and medical personnel to enhance security, manage traffic flow, and support the well-being and experience of our campus community and guests.

Photography

  • Graduation Foto is the official commencement photographer for Denison University. They will take multiple images of each graduate as they cross the stage. Graduation Foto will email graduates directly at their Denison address and provide proofs and purchasing information.
  • Use this link to ensure you receive your photo proofs from the ceremony: graduationfoto.com/denison-university.
  • Additional photos will be posted on our Flickr site and may be downloaded free of charge.
  • Family members can take photos in a designated area near the stage. 

After the ceremony

  • We recommend identifying a place for families to meet up directly after the ceremony for photos and celebrating. We will offer two selfie stations in Mitchell for photos.
  • Graduates may keep their cap, gown, and tassel.
  • Diplomas will be available to pick up from Slivy’s between 1-6 p.m. on Saturday. Diplomas that are not picked up will be mailed within two weeks of graduation, which is also when official transcripts with ‘degree awarded’ notation will be available to order via Parchment.
  • Remember that all students must be moved out of their residence hall rooms by 6 p.m. the day of Commencement, Saturday, May 16.
  • A video recording will be posted on this site within 48 hours after Commencement.