Commencement 2025

Class of 2025

Important Announcement Regarding Venue Update

Congratulations to the soon-to-be BEST of BC graduates!

Important Announcement Regarding Venue Update

Class of 2025 Upcoming Events

The Baccalaureate Service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 4^th and the in-person Commencement Ceremony will be held 7:00 p.m., Friday, May 6^th at the Charlie W. Johnson Stadium. Each graduate may have two guests attend the ceremony. Face masks are required and Covid-19 safety measures will be observed and practiced during the ceremony.

All qualifying Class of 2021 undergraduates, including students who completed their academic requirements in Fall of 2020, are invited to participate in the annual Commencement ceremony. Those who are unable to attend are invited to participate virtually. The stadium gates will open at 5:00 p.m. for graduates and guests. Graduates and guests will be given temperature checks and assigned designated seats upon arrival to the stadium.

For health and safety reasons, all hooding and/or pinning elements of the ceremony will be contactless and involve graduates hooding and/or pinning themselves. Social distancing will be practiced throughout the ceremony.

Important Parking Information for Commencement Day

Please review the following parking arrangements that will be in effect during our upcoming graduation ceremony:

For Graduates

Recommended Parking: Graduates are encouraged to use:
- The overflow lot across from the Physical Plant located on Laurel Street (authorized by Columbia Housing Authority)
- Available spaces on Laurel Street for easier gymnasium access

For Visitors & Guests

Primary Parking: All campus parking will be utilized for graduation attendees.
Overflow Options: When campus parking is full, signs at the entrance will direct traffic to:
- Oak Street parking garage (rear of campus)
- Columbia Housing Authority overflow lot located on Laurel Street

Special Arrangements

Restricted Areas: Spaces in front of the Antisdel House will be reserved exclusively for dignitaries, Board of Trustees members and special guests.
Traffic Management: BCPD officers will be stationed throughout campus to direct traffic to appropriate parking areas.
Handicapped Parking: Parking spaces will be available in front of Jenkins and Goodson residence halls to accommodate handicapped individuals. BCPD officers will guide visitors in need of handicapped parking to this reserved area upon request.

Safety advisory: Balloons or signs are not allowed in the gymnasium as well as any noise makers or horns as it will cause disruptions.

Benedict College Police Department

Inclement Weather

As part of our emergency preparedness protocol, the College will monitor weather before and during all Commencement activities. In the event of severe inclement weather, the ceremony may be postponed or canceled. In the event of rain absent severe weather, the ceremony will continue. Guests are permitted to bring umbrellas into the stadium.

Graduates should park in the lot on the Visitor’s side of the stadium. Graduates who are being dropped off should also do so on the Visitor’s side.

Handicapped parking is available at the stadium.

COVID-19 Safety Protocol

Before arriving on campus, all graduates and guests of Class of 2022 graduates must review the College’s Covid-19 Safety Protocol. Please click here to review and share the safety protocol.