Commencement Weekend

Thank you for celebrating
Mercersburg's Class of 2023 with us!Baccalaureate: Friday, May 26
130th Commencement: Saturday, May 27

Graduation Announcement

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Friday, May 26

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May 26 2023

Senior Art Show

2:00 PM - 3:15 PM

Cofrin Gallery, Burgin Center

Saturday, May 27

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May 27 2023

Breakfast

8:30 AM

Ford Hall

Live Streaming

For anyone unable to attend Commencement or Baccalaureate who wishes to be part of the celebration, we will stream live video and audio of the ceremonies on our home page.

Watch Baccalaureate
Baccalaureate Program
Watch Commencement
Commencement Program

Photography

We will have a photographer on campus for the Commencement ceremony, and he will be tasked with getting two moments: a photo of each student standing on the steps of the graduation platform with the diploma and candid photos of the general experience before, during, and after Commencement. All photos will be uploaded to Vidigami, where parents can select photos and order directly from Vidigami or download and order through another service.

Parking and Restrooms

Parking will be available along Sycamore Lane, behind Traylor Hall, and in the lots next to 1893 House, the Burgin Center for the Arts, and the Hale Field House. Limited spaces will be available on the quad, next to the chapel, and in front of Lenfest Hall for handicapped parking. On Saturday morning, shuttles will loop through campus making pickups from 8:15 to 10 a.m. and dropping off on the quad.

Magnolia Lane, the road behind Main Hall, Swank Hall, South Cottage, and Keil/Rutledge Hall, will be closed for parking Saturday morning. (The road will be open for temporary parking for loading of vehicles prior to 9:30 a.m.)

Restrooms will be available in the lobby of the Edwards Room (Keil Hall), Ford Hall, Lenfest Hall, and the Simon Student Center.

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Reminders and Notes

Senior Dress

Seniors are required to dress in semiformal attire for Baccalaureate and Commencement. The traditional attire is black dresses for Baccalaureate and white dresses for Commencement (though these colors are not required) or blazers and slacks (or suits) with collared shirts and ties (optional, the traditional attire of the home country).

Alcohol Policy

As a reminder, alcohol, tobacco, and illegal substances are prohibited on campus.

Building Accessibility

Commencement Weekend events will be held in a variety of buildings around campus, as well as outdoors. If anyone in your family has mobility issues or related concerns, please contact Mercersburg's events team at events@mercersburg.edu.

If you have any questions about Commencement Weekend, please contact the Office of Student Life at 717-328-6119 or studentlife@mercersburg.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to get a COVID-19 test before coming to Commencement Weekend?

What is the off-campus process for Friday evening?

While there is a dinner on campus from 5:15 to 6:45 p.m., students are welcome to go out to dinner with their families, and must return to campus no later than 11 p.m. Students who wish to go out to dinner before or after the Baccalaureate service need to complete a day trip leave request no later than 4 p.m. on Friday, May 26, in their Veracross student portal, noting "dinner off campus" and listing specific transportation plans, including their driver's name and relationship to the student.

While we encourage seniors to return to campus for their final night as a student at Mercersburg Academy, we understand some families may wish to host their senior overnight at their nearby hotels. These requests should be submitted as an overnight leave request no later than 4 p.m. on Friday, May 26, in their Veracross student portal, noting "overnight off campus" and listing specific transportation and lodging plans in the request. Students in 9th, 10th, and 11th grade are not permitted to spend the night off campus on Friday, May 26.

All leave requests must be fully approved prior to the student leaving. As always, when students leave campus, they must do a virtual checkout. Please keep in mind all of our school values and rules apply, including our expectation that there is to be no consumption of alcohol by students during this weekend. Again, we hope you will partner with us in making these special times happy, healthy, and safe.

Which Commencement Weekend events are open to the public?

Where will Commencement take place?

Will Baccalaureate and Commencement be available via livestream?

How will the school be photographing Commencement?

We will have a photographer on campus for the Commencement ceremony, and he will be tasked with two things. First, he will get a photo of each student standing on the steps of the graduation platform with the diploma. Second, he will take candid photos of the general experience before, during, and after Commencement. All photos will be uploaded to Vidigami, where parents can select photos and order directly from Vidigami or download and order through another service.

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