Please note: Academic departments are holding receptions on Friday, May 16 and Saturday, May 17. For more information and a full listing, see the “Academic Departments and Programs Commencement Receptions” tab.
Smith Bookstore open from 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
7–9 a.m. | Breakfast for students
Cutter/Ziskind, King/Scales, Chase/Duckett, Tyler, and Dawes
8 a.m. | Meeting of Sophomore Push
Outside President’s House
8:30 a.m. | Junior Ushers Assemble
Admission Office parking spaces
Ivy Day Activities
In the event of rain, the Alumnae Parade, Alumnae Awards Presentation, and Ivy Day Awards Convocation will be held in the Indoor Track and Tennis Facility (ITT). The signal for such a change in venue will be the ringing of the college bells at 8 a.m. The doors of the ITT will open at that time. Seniors should enter the main lobby of the ITT through the glass doors and will be instructed where to pick up their roses and line up. Junior ushers should assemble in the ITT by the overhead door. Alumnae will march through the double line of seniors and past the reviewing stand before being seated. The senior class, led by the junior ushers, will then follow.
8:45 a.m. | Seniors assemble
President’s House, front
Roses will be distributed to seniors. Seniors will then form two lines along the driveway, across Paradise Road and up to the Emerson House Archway in preparation for the Alumnae Parade and Ivy Day procession. Seniors should wear all-white attire and dark shoes. Please be on time.
8:45 a.m. | Alumnae Parade assembly
Chapin Drive, between the Campus Center and College Lane
9:15 a.m. | Alumnae Parade & Senior Class Procession
Led by the Festival Band, alumnae march toward the President’s House and the quadrangle, through the double lines of the senior class. Alumnae proceed through the Emerson House archway, around the quadrangle and past the reviewing stand on Martha Wilson House steps. Junior ushers follow the alumnae through the lines of seniors, leading the seniors into the quadrangle and past the reviewing stand.
Following the route of the alumnae, the senior class will be led by the junior ushers carrying the ivy chain into the quadrangle, past the reviewing stand, and will then be seated.
Immediately following parade | Invocation and Ivy Day Program
The Quadrangle
11 a.m.–1 p.m. | Tote lunch for seniors and remaining students on campus
Chapin lawn (Rain location: Julia McWilliams Child ’34 Campus Center Garden Lounge, Lower Level)
Parents and guests may purchase lunches online. Please check back soon for a link in the coming weeks.
11 a.m.–5 p.m. | Smith College Museum of Art Open Hours
Smith College Museum of Art
Drop by the Smith College Museum of Art to explore the galleries, talk with museum staff, and visit the exhibitions Younes Rahmoun: Here, Now, Temporarily Ours: Contemporary Photography and Film, Thinking about Drawing, World in Process: Art from the SCMA Collection, and Figuration and Abstraction: Asian Art at SCMA.
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | Athletics and ESS Open House
Ainsworth Gymnasium 151, Ainsworth level 1 entrance hallway
All ESS graduates and ESS minors, as well as current and past athletes, are invited to stop by to visit with ESS faculty and Athletics coaching and administrative staff.
1–3 p.m. | POSSE Scholars Graduation Celebration
Skyline Reading Room, Neilson Library, fourth floor
A celebration for the POSSE Scholars and their families. Invite-only.
1:30–2:15 p.m. | President’s Reception
Seelye lawn (Rain location: Julia McWilliams Child ’34 Campus Center)
For seniors and graduate students, their families, guests, faculty, and alumnae.
2 p.m. | Celebrations Dance Company’s Annual Commencement Concert
Scott Dance Studio
Performance by Celebrations, Smith’s oldest student-run dance company, showcasing student choreography and performance. Donations accepted.
2:15–3:15 p.m. | Jill Ker Conway Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center Open House
Conway Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center, Neilson 103
Learn about the dynamic and globally relevant financial education, innovation, and entrepreneurship programming offered by the Conway Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center. Family friendly activities and snacks available for visitors of all ages.
2:30–4 p.m. | Residence Life Reception
Clark Hall, conference room and porch
A reception for student staff members and House Presidents, seniors, and their families, as well as alums who have served in these roles.
2:30–4:30 p.m. | Hillyer Art Library Open House
Hillyer Art Library, Brown Fine Arts Center
Explore Smith’s remarkable art library and browse collections covering the history, theory, criticism, and practice of the visual arts.
2:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m. | Josten Library Open Hours
Josten Library, Mendenhall Center for the Performing Arts
Visit Smith’s performing arts library, which boasts inspiring architecture and an outstanding interdisciplinary collection of music, theater and dance books; playscripts; music scores; as well as audio, video and other resources.
2:30–4:30 p.m. | Neilson Library Open House
Neilson Library
Welcome to Neilson Library! Take a self-guided tour of Neilson Library as designed by Maya Lin. Walk through the Neilson Library: Evolution exhibit in the 2nd floor gallery.
2:30–4:30 p.m. | Special Collections Open House
Special Collections Reading Room, Neilson Library, 3rd floor
Visit the home of Smith’s Special Collections. Meet curators and archivists, view unique materials and learn about the College Archives, the Mortimer Rare Book Collection and the Sophia Smith Collection of Women’s History.
3–4 p.m. | Ivy Day Bellringing
Mendenhall Bell Tower
The Smith College bell-ringers will ring for an hour on Ivy Day to celebrate the class of 2025. The ringing will be audible near the Mendenhall Center for the Performing Arts on Green Street.
3–4:30 p.m. | Botanic Garden Open House
Lyman Plant House and Conservatory
Drop in to Lyman Plant House and Conservatory to explore the collections, meet staff, and experience Habba from the current exhibition Younes Rahmoun: Here, Now, on display in The Church Exhibition Gallery, as well as the student-curated exhibit, Botanical Bodies: When identity blossoms on skin.
3–4:30 p.m. | Smith College Historic Clothing Collection Open House
Theatre T15, Mendenhall Center for the Performing Arts, basement level
Explore the college’s research archive of women’s clothing now in its 46th year. It is the subject of the new book Real Clothes, Real Lives: 200 Years of What Women Wore and an exhibition, co-curated with Rebecca Shea ’99, at the New York Historical Museum until mid-June. The cabinets will be open, and examples of garments and accessories will be on view.
The collection was founded by Beth Pfaltz Welsh ’79. Students from all parts of the curriculum serve as interns and research assistants. A course “Reading” Dress: Archival Studies of Clothing is taught each year. Items are selected from the collection for research and presentation in video form at the end of the course.
With Kiki Smith ’71, Professor of Theatre and Director of the Collection, Lizz Roos ’80 and Rebecca Shea ’99.
3–4:30 p.m. | Meridians Open House
Hosted by Meridians Editor, Professor Ginetta E.B. Candelario ‘90
Meridians, 22 Green Street
Join us for the Meridians Open House as we celebrate 25 years of groundbreaking scholarship and activism. This event offers a chance to connect with our editorial team, explore the journal’s rich history, and learn more about our work.
3–5 p.m. | Smith Crew Boathouse Open House and Reception
Connecticut River Boathouse, Sportsman’s Marina, 1 Russell Street, Hadley
All Smith crew alumnae, team members, and families are welcome to attend. Light refreshments will be served. No shuttle service.
4–5 p.m. | 12-Step Recovery Program
Wright Hall 002
All are welcome to attend.
4–5 p.m. | Service of Remembrance
Helen Hills Hills Chapel
A multifaith memorial service for reflecting, remembering and celebrating the lives of those who have died, focusing on Smith alums who have passed on since the last reunion. All are welcome.
5–6 p.m. | Commencement Choral Concert
Sweeney Concert Hall, Sage Hall
The Glee Club and Chamber Singers present works chosen by members of the senior class.
5–7 p.m. | Dinner for students
Chase/Duckett and Dawes
For seniors and all students remaining on campus.
7:45 p.m. | Junior Ushers meeting
Admission office parking spaces
8 p.m. | Senior Class Candle-Lighting Ceremony
Paradise Pond lawn, between the President’s House and Office of Admission
Families and guests of seniors welcome.
8:15 p.m. | Meeting of Sophomore Push
In front of Seelye Hall
8:30 p.m. | Sophomore Push/Senior Step Singing
Seelye Hall steps
Families and guests of seniors welcome.
8:30–10 p.m. | Ada Comstock Illumination Night Celebration
Boutelle-Day Poetry Center, Wright Hall 102, and Wright Hall upper lobby
8:30–10 p.m. | Illumination of Upper Campus
Rain location: Julia McWilliams Child ’34 Campus Center
Live music by the Jay Messer Quintet. All are welcome to walk through campus and enjoy this Smith College tradition.
