SPRING commencement

Summer Commencement Graduates

Wesleyan Circle logo with a W and the date of 1836.

Saturday, May 11, 2023 | 10:00 AM
Wesleyan Campus | Porter Auditorium
 

Timeline for the Day

  • 9:00 a.m. – Porter Auditorium doors will open for guests with tickets only for general admission seating. Please bring your ticket with you. (Each guest must have their ticket for admittance, unless you have a young child who is able to sit on your lap.)

If a guest does not have a ticket, they will go directly to Pierce Chapel for seating, and park in Parking Lot B.

Non-ticket holders will view the ceremony on the large screen in Pierce Chapel and will not be allowed in Porter Auditorium. All guests may meet their graduate immediately after the ceremony for a reception and pictures. Some golf carts may be available for transportation.

Due to the formal nature and length of the ceremony, we suggest that young children not attend.

Please allow time to park and walk to either venue. The pull-through area in front of Porter Auditorium will be open to drop off guests until 9:45 a.m. Some golf carts will be available to bring guests to the venue.

  • 9:45 a.m. - The drive-through area at Porter Auditorium will close for drop-off.
  • 9:50 a.m. – Procession starts (Everyone including guests must be in place and seated before procession.)
  • 10:00 a.m. – Commencement Ceremony begins

  • After Commencement – Reception for graduates & families sponsored by the Wesleyan College Alumnae Association and Alumnae Office. Rain site will be at Anderson Dining Hall.
Guest Information
Parking 
  • Please allow time to park and walk to Porter Auditorium.
  • Please follow parking instructions and signs. There is a designated place in front of Porter Auditorium to drop off guests, if needed.
Seating
  • Pets (except service animals) are prohibited.
  • Please do not bring child carriers, strollers, large packages, balloons, or wear large hats. They may obstruct the view of other guests.
  • Please direct any special needs requests to the Director of Disability and Advocacy Services at jamos@wesleyancollege.edu  
Photographs
  • Professional photographs will be taken at the ceremony and available for FREE download a few weeks after Commencement on the College's Flickr account. Please do not obstruct the photographers' sight lines to the stage. 
  • Group photos will also be taken immediately following the ceremony.

Safety Procedures

Wesleyan College has a long history of cordially welcoming visitors to our campus. We strive to provide first-rate protection in order to ensure the safety of the entire campus community.

  • Wesleyan College does not allow fire arms on campus. Thank you in advance for adhering to this policy.
  • Currently, masks are optional on campus – both indoors and outdoors. Anyone who chooses to wear a mask on campus for their own protection is welcome to do so.

Benson Charge: “Members of the graduating class, demands will be made upon you which were not made upon us. Your training, if you are true to it, will amply qualify you to meet those demands. No wiser blessing could I wish for you than that you may be true to every God-appointed work.” Catherine Brewer Benson, Wesleyan College’s first graduate, Class of 1840.

Graduation Photos

Find recent graduation photos on Wesleyan's Flickr account. 

Welcome to WCAA

Stay in touch with the College years beyond today. Founded in 1859, the Wesleyan College Alumnae Association (WCAA) is the world's FIRST alumnae association. 

First College in the World Chartered to grant degrees to women.

Diploma from 1840

Catherine Brewer Benson

In 1840, Catherine Elizabeth Brewer Benson became the first woman to receive her degree from the first college in the world chartered to grant degrees to women. 

Catherine Elizabeth Brewer Benson 1840 In the 1839 Georgia Female College catalog, twenty young women are listed in the Junior Class. Of this number, eleven graduated on the night of July 16, 1840, and were pioneers in education for women. By virtue of being alphabetically the first in line, Catherine Elizabeth Brewer was the first woman to receive her degree from the first college in the world chartered to grant degrees to women. READ MORE

Calendar of Events

Wesleyan College is privileged to steward many arts and cultural events and share them with the community. Most are free and open to the public. Wesleyan art galleries are open M-F 1-5PM and on Wesleyan Market Saturdays from 10AM-2PM.

Event listing

Visit our Campus

Tour our beautiful 200-acre campus featuring Georgian architecture, lush green spaces, recreational facilities, residence halls, and worship center.

Vist Wesleyan Virtually

NCAA Division III Athletics

Wesleyan College is home to five NCAA Division III sports: soccer, basketball, volleyball, tennis, and softball. In addition, we offer an award-winning Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) Equestrian program.

View More

Join our email list