Senior Week 2025 – Student Activities

Celebrate, Engage, & Connect

The strength and resilience of the Class of 2025 has been truly admirable. You tackled rigorous academic work, coped with the many unknowns, and helped us restart many of the traditions that are hallmarks of the Carleton experience. We aim to honor and acknowledge all that you have achieved in the past four years. We look forward to celebrating you throughout Senior Week and commencement day as you transition to become members of our alumni community.

The Senior Week schedule has a variety of activities designed to provide opportunities to celebrate, engage, and connect with your classmates. The 2025 schedule is being updated as events become finalized. Check back often, as the schedule is subject to change.

2025 Schedule of Events

Monday, June 9

10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. SENIOR WEEK WRISTBAND DISTRIBUTION, Sayles Great Space
This check-in station is for seniors currently on campus. Check-in is mandatory for all seniors participating in Senior Week. Students will receive a wristband that grants access to all events.
BRING YOUR ONECARD!

12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. The Studio Art class of 2025, Art and Art History department, and the Perlman Teaching Museum invite you to visit this year’s Senior Art Show. This annual exhibition is held in the Perlman Teaching Museum, located in the Weitz Center for Creativity, showcasing new artwork by graduating seniors.

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. MINI BLOCK PARTY, The Bald Spot
We’re throwing it back to the Fall of 2021 when you first arrived on campus. If you remember, President Byerly was new to campus just like you. As part of her Inauguration celebration, she hosted a block party and gave out Byerly Bucks. To celebrate the end of your time here, we are bringing the block party back, just a little smaller. There will be 3 food truck vendors out on the Bald Spot, along with lawn games provided by the Recreation Center. Seniors will get a special set of Byerly Bucks when you come to pick up your wristband! Underclassmen will be able to purchase food on their own. So bring your friends, grab some food, and kick off your week of celebrations!

Food Trucks Available:

D&D Goodies – With experiences of many years working in restaurants, we are proud to provide you the most authentic Vietnamese taste with our family recipes.
El Jefe Cocina – Restaurant and food truck redefining authentic Mexican cuisine!
Traveling Tom’s Coffee Truck – The best cup of coffee on the go.

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Tuesday, June 10

7:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Sayles Café snack bar open in Sayles Hill Campus Center.

10:00 a.m. “Fun On The Run”, Recreation Center
Run with classmates out to the wind turbine and back (roughly 5 miles). FREE t-shirt for everyone who participates! Meet at the entrance of the Recreation Center. For some added fun, feel free to invite your favorite professor, staff, or administrator to run with you!

11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. LAVENDER CELEBRATION, Great Hall
There will be a pre-reception mixer with refreshments from 11:30 am-12:00 pm. At 12:00 pm there will be a Welcome from GSC staff, lunch, followed by a program celebrating LGBTQIA+ Carls in the Class of 2025.

The Lavender Celebration is a program for ALL LGBTQIA+ Carls to participate in no matter what your involvement has been with the Gender & Sexuality Center. One of the things that makes Carleton such a special place is the high percentage of the LGBTQIA+ people that we have in our campus community.

At the Lavender Celebration, LGBTQIA+ seniors will receive a Carleton College LGBTQIA+ Pride Stole to wear during Commencement (if you choose) along with a special gift from the GSC! In honor of this occasion, there will be special remarks given by seniors, staff, faculty, and alumni. This event intends to bring LGBTQIA+ seniors together in community and celebration for all that you have accomplished throughout your time at Carleton. Email gsc@carleton.edu with any questions. Submit your RSVP.

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Lunch provided in the Language and Dining Center.

12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. The Studio Art class of 2025, Art and Art History department, and Perlman Teaching Museum invite you to visit this year’s Senior Art Show. This annual exhibition is held in the Perlman Teaching Museum, located in the Weitz Center for Creativity, showcasing new artwork by graduating seniors.

1:00 p.m. Knight Time Games, Recreation Center
As a continuation of the Knight Time activities, the Recreation Center will offer these indoor activity options: Soccer, Pickleball, 5×5 Basketball and Soccer Tennis.

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Bucket List Bouldering & Climbing, Recreation Center
If you have yet to boulder or climb, there is no better time than today to cross it off your Carleton bucket list!

5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Dinner provided in the Language and Dining Center.

9:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. SENIOR NIGHT OUT @ FLAHERTY’S NORTHFIELD LANES
Senior Week wristband required. Government-issued ID needed for the purchase of alcohol. OneCards cannot be used for proof of age. Due to venue capacity, no guests are permitted. This is a private event for the Class of 2025 and closed to the public. Cash bar available for those 21+. Food and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided throughout the night. Seniors will be able to bowl, play games in the arcade, enjoy a variety of games out on the patio, or just chill by the fire pit. Shuttle buses will pick up and drop off in front of Willis Hall. Buses will start at 8:45 p.m. and run in a continuous loop throughout the night.

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Wednesday, June 11

COUNTDOWN: Three days to go! What time do I have to arrive Saturday? Where do I line up? Get all the commencement details!

7:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Sayles Café snack bar open in Sayles Hill Campus Center.

10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Bookstore open in Sayles-Hill Campus Center.

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Brunch provided in the Language and Dining Center.

6:00 – 8:00 p.m. SENIOR BANQUET, Big Tent East of the Chapel
The Senior Banquet is your first Carleton alumni event. Planned by your Class of 2025 Senior Banquet Committee, join us under the Big Tent East of the Chapel for an appetizer reception, brief remarks from alumni, and dinner. Alumni swag and final photos with friends on the Carleton sign are hallmarks of this celebration. Feel free to dress for the occasion, to your comfort level. Check out 2023’s event for context and inspiration!

This is a celebration exclusively for the senior class, so no guests are permitted. The dining halls are closed to seniors this evening. This event is sponsored by the Office of Alumni Relations. Please contact Corey Johnson with any questions and/or dietary restrictions.

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9:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. SENIOR DANCE, The Armory Square Event Center, 519 Division Street S.
This is a private event for Carleton seniors and their guests. Senior Week wristband is required for admittance. Light appetizers and non-alcoholic beverages provided. A government-issued ID and cash/credit card needed for purchase of alcohol. OneCards cannot be used for proof of age. Shuttle buses will pick up and drop off in front of Willis Hall, beginning at 9:15 p.m., and will run in a continuous loop throughout the night.

Seniors are allowed one guest but must complete their guest registration by 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 11. Please note there is a $40 guest charge. Unregistered guests and non-seniors will not be admitted. Please contact sao@carleton.edu for more information.

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Thursday, June 12

COUNTDOWN: Two days to go! Is there a rehearsal? Where do I sit? Where do I stand? Get all the commencement details!

7:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Sayles Café snack bar open in Sayles Hill Campus Center.

10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Bookstore open in Sayles-Hill Campus Center.

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Brunch provided in the Language and Dining Center.

2:00 – 3:00 p.m. ICE CREAM WITH THE DEAN OF STUDENTS OFFICE, Sayles-Hill Campus Center Patio
Stop by and enjoy some ice cream with representatives from the Division of Student Life. Students and families welcome.

5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Dinner provided in the Language and Dining Center.

Friday, June 13

7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Sayles Café snack bar open in Great Space, Sayles-Hill Campus Center.

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Hospitality table in Great Space, Sayles-Hill Campus Center. Information, maps, buttons, and refreshments. A limited number of wheelchairs are available for use on a first-come, first-served basis.

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Senior Art Sale located near the Bald Spot. Rain Location Sayles Great Space.

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Bookstore open in Sayles-Hill Campus Center.

11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Complimentary salad lunch provided in the Language and Dining Center.

11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Popcorn Wagon opens and will be located in front of Sayles-Hill Campus Center.

12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. The Studio Art class of 2025, Art and Art History department, and Perlman Teaching Museum invite you to visit this year’s Senior Art Show. This annual exhibition is held in the Perlman Teaching Museum, located in the Weitz Center for Creativity, showcasing new artwork by graduating seniors.

2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Dessert receptions with faculty at various campus locations. Please note the dessert receptions have moved indoors to their rain locations.

Africana Studies in the Japanese Garden (rain: Watson Hall Lounge)
American Studies on the lawn west of Goodsell Observatory, by the tree closest to Goodsell (rain: Goodsell Observatory lobby)
Art History & Studio Art on the lawn in front of Boliou Hall (rain: Boliou Hall main floor)
Asian Studies in the Japanese Garden (rain: Watson Hall Lounge)
Biology on the lawn in front of Hulings Hall (rain: Hulings Hall Atrium)
Chemistry at Anderson Hall Amphitheater (rain: East end of Anderson Hall Atrium)
Chinese in the Japanese Garden (rain: Watson Hall Lounge)
Cinema and Media Studies in the Weitz Center for Creativity, Commons & Courtyard
Classics in the Japanese Garden (rain: Watson Hall Lounge)
Cognitive Science on the lawn north of Olin Hall (rain: Olin Hall north east lobby, by Olin Hall 141 & 149)
Computer Science at the Alumni Guest House Patio (Rain: Weitz Center for Creativity 236)
Economics on the Burton Hall Terrace (rain: Sayles-Hill 251 & Atrium)
Educational Studies on the lawn west of Goodsell Observatory, by the tree closest to Goodsell (rain: Goodsell Observatory lobby)
English on the lawn south of Laird Hall (rain: Laird Hall second floor lounge)
Environmental Studies on the lawn west of Goodsell Observatory, by the tree closest to Goodsell (rain: Goodsell Observatory lobby)
French & Francophone Studies in the Japanese Garden (rain: Watson Hall Lounge)
Gender, Women’s & Sexuality Studies on the lawn south of Leighton Hall (rain: Leighton Hall second floor)
Geology at Anderson Hall Amphitheater (rain: East end of Anderson Hall Atrium)
German in the Japanese Garden (rain: Watson Hall Lounge)
History on the lawn south of Leighton Hall (rain: Leighton Hall second floor)
Latin American Studies in the Japanese Garden (rain: Watson Hall Lounge)
Linguistics in the Japanese Garden (rain: Watson Hall Lounge)
Mathematics and Statistics on the patio between the Center for Math and Computing and Boliou Hall (rain: Center for Math and Computing lobby)
Music in the Weitz Center for Creativity, Commons & Courtyard
Philosophy on the lawn south of Leighton Hall (rain: Leighton Hall second floor)
Physics and Astronomy on the patio between the Center for Math and Computing and Boliou Hall (rain: Olin Hall north lobby by Olin 104 & 106)
Political Science and International Relations at Hasenstab Hall and Patio
Psychology on the lawn north of Olin Hall (rain: Olin Hall north east lobby, by Olin Hall 141 & 149)
Religion on the lawn south of Leighton Hall (rain: Leighton Hall second floor)
Russian in the Japanese Garden (rain: Watson Hall Lounge)
Sociology and Anthropology on the lawn south of Leighton Hall (rain: Leighton Hall second floor)
Spanish in the Japanese Garden (rain: Watson Hall Lounge)
Theater in the Weitz Center for Creativity, Commons & Courtyard

3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Garden party for graduating seniors and their loved ones with President Byerly at Nutting House. (rain: Weitz Center for Creativity Commons)

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Dinner provided for non-seniors in the Language and Dining Center.

5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Senior Week Shabbat Oneg, Page East
Seniors and loved ones are welcome to make a “l’chaim” and say goodbye to Page East and other graduating Jewish seniors. Kiddush and challah provided.

8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Phi Beta Kappa Ceremony and Reception at Skinner Memorial Chapel.

Saturday, June 14

The Commencement ceremony will take place on the Bald Spot. Although there are several shade trees, some seating is in the direct sun. We advise you to bring water and to consider wearing a hat and sunglasses for your comfort. Water bottles can be filled inside any campus building and water bottle refilling stations are located near the back of Skinner Memorial Chapel.

Seating is available to accommodate all guests.

7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Complimentary continental breakfast will be provided at the Language and Dining Center.

7:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Sayles Café snack bar open in Sayles Hill Campus Center.

7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Graduates check-in tables open near Boliou Hall and Goodsell Observatory. *Graduates watch for signage directing you to the correct area.

7:45 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.The Mortar Board Honors Society will have bouquets of flowers for families to purchase to honor their graduates. There will be a table set up along the sidewalk on the south side of the seating area before the ceremony. Thanks for supporting Mortar Board, and congratulations to your student!

8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Bookstore open in Sayles Hill Campus Center.

8:50 a.m. Graduates line up along the sidewalks from Goodsell Observatory to the Center for Math and Computing and will be directed by the Provost’s Office staff.

9:20 a.m. Academic Procession from Laird Hall.

9:30 a.m. Commencement ceremony located on the Bald Spot.

11:25 a.m. CONGRATULATIONS, CLASS OF 2025! You did it!

11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Complimentary box lunches provided at the BIG TENT between the Skinner Memorial Chapel parking lot and James Hall parking lot.

2:00 p.m. All residential seniors must be moved out of campus housing no later than 2:00 p.m.

Forever

See you soon at events, Convocations, Family Weekend, and Reunions!