Commencement Communication
March 2026
Dear Students, Parents, and Family Members of the Class of 2026,
It gives me great pleasure to invite you to celebrate the Hamilton College Class of 2026 during Commencement Weekend, May 22-24, 2026. As you plan for this milestone, here is what you need to know now.
Accommodations
If you haven't yet made arrangements, please visit our accommodations page for a list of local establishments and book as soon as possible.
Ceremony Details
The Commencement ceremony will be held at 10:15 a.m. in the Margaret Bundy Scott Field House, and tickets are not required. We ask families to limit guests to 8 per graduate. Doors open at 8:30 a.m., and all guests are encouraged to arrive on campus no later than 9:15 a.m. to find parking and seating. Families unable to attend in person can watch a livestream on our Commencement webpage. Following the ceremony, all are welcome to join the Hamilton community for a complimentary picnic.
Baccalaureate, Saturday, May 23 at 3 p.m.
Families are warmly invited to this multi-faith celebration, which includes remarks by a noted speaker, readings from different spiritual traditions, and music by the College Choir. Seniors process in academic regalia. The service will also be livestreamed.
Parking and Transportation
Our campus is largely pedestrian during Commencement Weekend. Parking is available in all College lots except those designated for special use. On Sunday morning, shuttle buses will run from North Lot and the south campus lots. Campus Road parking is prohibited by law, and the Main and Western quadrangles will be closed to traffic beginning Thursday evening.
Accessibility
Special assistance seating is available in the Field House, and accessible parking is available in the Field House lot. Hearing-assistive devices are available on loan at the main entrance. Please note that Hamilton does not provide wheelchairs, scooters, or other mobility devices; guests who need them should bring their own. If you or a guest requires special assistance seating or parking, please complete this form.
A Few Additional Notes
- Pets are not permitted at any Commencement Weekend events.
- Campus facilities are restricted to College-sponsored events. For private gathering venues, see our local attractions and restaurants list.
- Items lost or found during the weekend can be retrieved through Campus Safety at 315-859-4141.
The weekend schedule and additional Commencement information can be found on our Commencement webpage. If you have any questions, please contact us at 315-859-4529 or collegeevents@hamilton.edu.
We look forward to welcoming you to the Hill in May.
Best wishes,
Lisa Magnarelli '96
Director of College Events and Scheduling
November 2025
Dear Students, Parents, and Family Members of the Class of 2026,
The College’s Commencement exercises are scheduled for Sunday, May 24, 2026 at 10:15 a.m. That may seem like a long way off, but now is the time to make accommodation arrangements for guests coming to the Hill that weekend. Since there is limited availability in the greater Clinton area, it is important that family and friends reserve hotel rooms as soon as possible. You may refer to Hamilton’s accommodations page to see a broad list of establishments in the area.
The Commencement ceremony will take place in the Margaret Bundy Scott Field House, which has a 5,300 seat capacity. Generally, this amounts to 8 guests per graduate. Tickets will not be issued. Friends and family unable to attend the ceremony will be able to watch it streamed live on the Commencement webpage. Following the ceremony, you and your guests are invited to join the Hamilton community for a complimentary picnic.
General information and a tentative schedule can be found on our Commencement webpage to assist you with planning. A complete Commencement weekend schedule and additional information will be emailed to seniors and their families in early 2026. In the meantime, if you have questions, please contact the College Events and Scheduling Office at 315-859-4529 or collegeevents@hamilton.edu and we will be pleased to assist you in any way we can.
Best wishes,
Lisa Magnarelli ’96
Director of College Events and Scheduling
