Baccalaureate
Most seniors and their parents are clear about the meaning of commencement, the occasion which celebrates graduates’ academic achievement by the awarding of diplomas. Baccalaureate is less familiar as many students did not have such an event at their high school.
At the baccalaureate ceremony, Earlham celebrates the importance of the whole journey that students and faculty have undertaken together. It is an occasion to reflect on the joys and struggles of the past four years and to celebrate the growth of students and of their mentors.
Reflecting the Quaker nature of the College, baccalaureate at Earlham incorporates elements similar to those found in programmed Friends Meetings for Worship—typically opening prayers, reading(s), prepared remarks by students and faculty, time(s) for silent worship and reflection and music.
The College strives to make it an occasion of worship and centering for all who are present. Many seniors, faculty and staff find baccalaureate to be a significant event as they seek closure for their time together in these four years at Earlham.
Baccalaureate 2021
Due to COVID-19, this year’s baccalaureate ceremony will be limited to only graduating seniors and the faculty speakers. It will be held in the Druley Performance Gym in the Athletics and Wellness Center on Thursday, May 20 at 4 p.m.
Return on May 20 to watch the baccalaureate ceremony live on this webpage.
At a glance
- Thursday, May 20
- 4 p.m.
- Druley Performance Gym, AWC
PAST BACCALAUREATE ADDRESSES
James Logan, Associate Academic Dean, Professor of Religion, Professor and Director of African & African American Studies, National Endowment for the Humanities Chair in Interdisciplinary Studies
Maggie Thomas, Associate Professor of Experimental Social Psychology and Faculty Director of EPIC Programs
“Imagining a World beyond Work”
Ryan Murphy, Assistant Professor of History and Women’s, Gender, Sexuality Studies
Joanna Swanger, Program Director and Associate Professor of Peace & Global Studies
“A (lacixodaraP) World of Fire and Peace”
James Logan, Professor of Religion, Professor and Director of African and African American Studies, National Endowment for the Humanities Chair in Interdisciplinary Studies
Nelson Bingham, Professor of Psychology
“A World Yearning for Your (Sometimes Funky) Love”
James Logan, Associate Professor of Religion, Associate Professor and Director of African and African American Studies, and Second Year Class Dean
Bob Rosenberg, Professor of Biology
“The Art of Falling Into the Future”
JoAnn Martin
Andrew Moore, Assistant Professor of Geology
Joanna Swanger, Program Director and Assistant Professor, Peace & Global Studies
“Chuck’s Top Ten Secrets to a Long, Happy, Useful, Productive and Meaningful Life”
Chuck Yates, Professor of History
“A (Not So) Simple Word of (Audacious) Hope”
2008, James Logan, Assistant Professor of Religion Assistant Professor of African & African American Studies
Caroline Higgins, Professor of Peace & Global Studies and History
Steve Heiny, Professor of Classics
Vince Punzo, Professor of Psychology
Robert Johnstone, Professor of Politics
Gordon Thompson, Professor of English
“Playing Good Books, Reading Good Roles”
Steve Heiny, Professor of Classics
Paul Lacey, Professor of English
Lincoln Blake, Professor of English
Mary Lacey, Assistant Professor of English
Vince Punzo, Professor of Psychology
“The Words We Wear: Talking and Walking”
Barbara Caruso, Professor of English & Women’s Studies Coordinator
Stephen Butler, Professor of Sociology and Anthropology
Peter Suber, Professor of Philosophy
“On Being Redundant: Freedom Is Not Once”
Barbara Caruso, Professor of English & Women’s Studies Coordinator
Stephen Butler, Professor of Sociology and Anthropology, and African and African-American Studies
Peter Suber, Professor of Philosophy
Stephen Butler, Professor of Sociology and African-American Studies
“The Difference Between Poetry and Rhetoric”
Barbara Caruso, Assistant Professor of English & Women’s Studies Coordinator
Stephen Butler, Assistant Professor of Sociology and Anthropology
Questions?
Contact the Office of Religious Life with questions about Baccalaureate.