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Main Image for Commencement

Commencement

Photo by Samuel Stuart Hollenshead
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REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
Join us on May 26–28 for Bard College’s 163rd Commencement Weekend! Email [email protected] with any questions.

REGISTER HERE

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Announcing the 2023 Commencement Speaker
United States Senator Raphael Warnock, of Georgia.

Announcing the 2023 Commencement Speaker

United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock

Bard College is pleased to announce that United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock, of Georgia, will deliver the 2023 Commencement address at Bard College.

A highly-respected pastor and social justice advocate, Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock was first elected to the United States Senate in 2021 and re-elected for a full term in 2022. Additionally, for over 16 years, Senator Reverend Warnock has served as Senior Pastor of Atlanta’s historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, the spiritual home of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He is the youngest pastor selected to serve in that leadership role at the historic church.

Announcing the 2023 Commencement Speaker

Senator Reverend Warnock is a native of coastal Georgia, growing up in Kayton Homes public housing in Savannah, and was born one of twelve brothers and sisters. His father, a veteran, small businessman and preacher, grew up in Burke and Screven County, GA. Senator Reverend Warnock’s mother grew up in Waycross, GA, where she spent summers picking tobacco and cotton. A graduate of Savannah’s Sol C. Johnson High School, Senator Reverend Warnock’s mother and extended family still live in the Savannah area. Senator Reverend Warnock is a proud graduate of Atlanta’s Morehouse College and Union Theological Seminary, where he earned his PhD. 
 
A champion for expanding educational access and opportunities, Senator Warnock has worked tirelessly to ensure students in Georgia and around the country have access to a higher education that can transform lives. In addition to advocating for efforts to increase college affordability, Senator Warnock has been a vocal advocate for student loan debt cancellation, and pushed the White House in the summer of 2022 to enact a plan to help provide meaningful relief to millions of students. Senator Warnock was also instrumental in the passage of the CHIPS and Science Act, reaching across the aisle to secure STEM education funding in the legislation for HBCUs and other higher education institutions across the nation that will boost American innovation and research   Additionally, as the Senate’s only current HBCU graduate, Senator Reverend Warnock has co-led efforts in the Senate to strengthen funding for the nation’s HBCUs and 1890 Land-Grant colleges and universities. As a voice for Georgia in the United States Senate, Senator Reverend Warnock is committed to highlighting the moral urgency for making change in Washington, including continuing to fight for increased access to quality education for students across Georgia and the nation.

Schedule
Photo by Sonita Alizada ’23

Schedule

See what's planned for Commencement 2023!
Browse the Schedule

You're Invited!

You're Invited!

The Trustees and Faculty of Bard College and the Members of the Class of 2023 request the honor of your presence.
Download Invitation

Congratulations Families!

Reunion 2023
Photo by Nour Annan HRA ’23

Reunion 2023

Calling all 3s and 8s — Make your plans now! Reunion 2023 will celebrate classes ending in 3 and 8, but all classes are invited back to campus for the festivities. Registration opens February 2023.

Reunite with friends for the biggest celebration of the year—attend the Bard College Awards Ceremony, reunion dinners, Blithewood BBQ, dancing, fireworks, and much more! 

More about Reunion

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Class of 2023
The Bard College Class of 2023 as first-years, at the Language and Thinking Program, August 2019. Photo by Pete Mauney ’93 MFA ’00

Class of 2023

In case you missed it ... 

  • Commencement 2022
  • Commencement 2021
  • Commencement 2020
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