Event Series

Commencement Celebrations Calendar

Oberlin is planning a weekend of celebrations for the Class of 2023 and their families, culminating with Commencement on Monday, May 22. Please note that some meals and performances require tickets and/or advance registration.

Events will continue to be added to this calendar, so check back often.

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A mom adjusts her son's graduation cap.

Past Events

Lavender Graduation

Thursday, May 18, 2023
10:00 am
Carnegie Building
Lavender Graduation is a tradition at Oberlin College and Conservatory, which celebrates the accomplishments of LGBTQ+ graduates as they finish their time here on campus. This year, Lavender...

Heisman Club Senior Stole Ceremony

Thursday, May 18, 2023
10:30 am to 11:30 am
Austin E. Knowlton Athletics Complex - Social Space
The Heisman Club celebrates the accomplishments of senior scholar-athletes with a luncheon and stole ceremony. Members of the College’s executive leadership team (ELT) and Heisman Club join the...

Class of 2023 Senior Garden Party

Thursday, May 18, 2023
11:30 am to 1:00 pm
President’s House
Join President Carmen Twillie Ambar and the Office of Alumni Engagement & Annual Giving for a Garden Party at the president's house on May 18, 2023, at 11:30 AM. There will be brunch-style...

Unity Celebration

Thursday, May 18, 2023
2:00 pm
Carnegie Building
Unity Celebration is a ceremony to celebrate those of racially and ethnically underrepresented identities. This celebration strives to provide a sense of community by bringing our diverse student...

Self-Guided Tour: Oberlin Origins

Friday, May 19, 2023
10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Oberlin Heritage Center
Oberlin Heritage Center's Monroe House (South side of Conservatory parking lot/ behind the Kohl building) Move at your own pace through the 1866 Monroe House, exploring stories that outline...

Guided Tour of Jewett House

Friday, May 19, 2023
2:00 pm to 2:45 pm
Oberlin Heritage Center
Learn about Frank Fanning Jewett, Sarah Frances Gulick Jewett, Charles Martin Hall, the Aluminum Reduction Process and life in Oberlin during the Progressive Era on this 45-minute guided tour of the...

The Grand Piano Extravaganza

Friday, May 19, 2023
8:00 pm
Warner Concert Hall
Webcast Available
Watch the webcast – streamed live at concert time. How many pianos can we get on stage? This not-to-be-missed Oberlin tradition features performances by faculty, staff, and graduating seniors...

Biology Department Open House

Saturday, May 20, 2023
9:00 am to 11:00 am
Science Center
An open house hosted by the Biology Department faculty and staff.

Politics Department Open House

Saturday, May 20, 2023
9:00 am to 11:00 am
Rice Hall
An open house hosted by the Politics Department faculty and staff.

Self-Guided Tour: Oberlin Origins

Saturday, May 20, 2023
10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Oberlin Heritage Center
Oberlin Heritage Center's Monroe House (South side of Conservatory parking lot/ behind the Kohl building) Move at your own pace through the 1866 Monroe House, exploring stories that outline...

Linguistics Department Open House

Saturday, May 20, 2023
10:30 am to 12:00 pm
King Building
An open house hosted by the Linguistics Department faculty and staff. It will be held along with the Anthropology Department open house

Tour: Freedom’s Friends History Walk

Saturday, May 20, 2023
10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Oberlin Heritage Center
Meet on the front steps of First Church, corner of Main and Lorain Streets (RT. 58 and RT. 511) Prior to the Civil War, as many as 3,000 African Americans passed through or lived in Oberlin after...

Anthropology Department Open House

Saturday, May 20, 2023
10:30 am to 12:00 pm
King Building
An open house hosted by the Anthropology Department faculty and staff. It will be held along with the Linguistics Department open house

Class of 2023 Family Social

Saturday, May 20, 2023
11:30 am to 1:00 pm
Wilder Bowl
Enjoy an informal social celebration with graduates, family members, and guests. Light lunch fare and beverages will be served. Please register to attend .

OSCA Alumni Picnic

Saturday, May 20, 2023
12:30 pm to 2:30 pm
Harkness Hall
OSCA & OSCAlums are excited to cooperatively host the 2023 OSCA Picnic! Please join us to collectively honor graduating students and their families, current OSCA members and OSCA Alumni returning...

Multifaith Baccalaureate Celebration

Saturday, May 20, 2023
1:30 pm to 2:30 pm
Finney Chapel
The Office of Religious and Spiritual Life presents one of the signature Commencement weekend events at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 20th, in Finney Chapel. Photo by Walter Novak

Tour: Civil War to Civil Rights History Walk

Saturday, May 20, 2023
1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
Oberlin Heritage Center
Meet on the front steps of First Church, corner of Main and Lorain Streets (RT. 58 and RT. 511). This 90-minute tour highlights historic events that reveal both Oberlin's progress and setbacks in...

French and Italian Open House

Saturday, May 20, 2023
2:30 pm to 5:00 pm
French House (la Maison Francophone or Bailey House)
The Department of French & Italian welcomes graduating students, their families and friends, and returning alumni for a reception at the Maison Francophone.

Russian Department Open House

Saturday, May 20, 2023
2:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Russian House (Allencroft)
An open house hosted by the Russian Department faculty and staff.

Organ Department Open House

Saturday, May 20, 2023
2:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Warner Concert Hall
An open house hosted by the Organ Department faculty and staff.

Shansi Open House

Saturday, May 20, 2023
2:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Shansi House
Shansi alumni, friends, community members, new Fellows and their families, and reunion attendees interested in Shansi’s efforts to connect Oberlin and Asia are invited to come by Shansi House...

Theater Department Open House

Saturday, May 20, 2023
2:30 pm to 5:00 pm
Eric Baker Nord Performing Arts Annex Upper Lobby
An open house hosted by the Theater Department faculty and staff.

Archives Display and Reception

Saturday, May 20, 2023
3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Mudd Center, Seeley G.
The Archives will have an exhibit open in conjunction with the Friends of the Libraries reception.

Women in History Performance

Saturday, May 20, 2023
3:00 pm
Clark Bandstand, Tappan Square
This live, historical re-enactment will portray Sara Lucy Bagby, the last slave to be prosecuted as a runaway after the Fugitive Slave Act. She made it all the way to Cleveland, Ohio, before being...

Heisman Club Hall of Honor Ceremony

Saturday, May 20, 2023
3:00 pm to 4:30 pm
Jesse Philips Physical Education Center
The Heisman Club Hall of Honor was created as a means to recognize individuals who have helped advance the goals of the athletics and physical education department in the areas of varsity sports,...

Environmental Studies Department Open House

Saturday, May 20, 2023
3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Adam Joseph Lewis Center for Environmental Studies
An open house hosted by the Environmental Studies Department faculty and staff.

Phi Beta Kappa Initiation Ceremony

Saturday, May 20, 2023
3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Perlik Commons, Science Center
Initiation Ceremony for students being inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. Families and Friends welcome.

Tour: Architecture Tour

Saturday, May 20, 2023
4:00 pm to 5:15 pm
Oberlin Heritage Center
Meet at the flagpoles in the Southeast corner of Tappan Square, at the intersection of Main (RT. 58) and College Streets. Enjoy a leisurely stroll on this 1 hour-long tour which explores Oberlin...

Concert: Oberlin Baroque

Saturday, May 20, 2023
5:00 pm
Fairchild Chapel
Webcast Available
Watch the webcast – streamed live at concert time. The Conservatory of Music, a pioneer and leader in historically informed performance, presents a program of Baroque chamber music featuring...

Commencement Recital I

Saturday, May 20, 2023
8:00 pm
Finney Chapel
Webcast Available
Watch the webcast – streamed live at concert time. A performance featuring Conservatory of Music students from the graduating Class of 2023. Program: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Sull’aria.....

Organ Pump: Late Night Music and Antics

Saturday, May 20, 2023
10:30 pm to 11:30 pm
Finney Chapel
Enjoy a fun-filled musical spectacle! Hilarity guaranteed. Sponsored by the Organ Pump Committee of Oberlin.

Shansi Breakfast

Sunday, May 21, 2023
8:30 am to 10:00 am
Stevenson Hall
The Shansi Breakfast is a tradition from Oberlin Shansi, a non-profit affiliated with Oberlin that connects our campus to institutions in Asia. Shansi alumni, friends, new Fellows and their families...

Neuroscience Department Open House

Sunday, May 21, 2023
9:00 am to 11:00 am
Science Center
An open house hosted by the Neuroscience Department faculty and staff.

Economics Department Open House

Sunday, May 21, 2023
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Adam Joseph Lewis Center for Environmental Studies
An open house hosted by the Economics Department faculty and staff.

Crimson and Gold Celebration

Sunday, May 21, 2023
10:30 am to 11:30 am
Finney Chapel
A special convocation featuring President Carmen Twillie Ambar; a celebration of 50th reunion class giving; the presentation of Alumni Association awards; and an organ recital.

English Department Open House

Sunday, May 21, 2023
12:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Peters Hall
An open house hosted by the English Department faculty and staff.

Cinema Studies Open House

Sunday, May 21, 2023
12:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Peters Hall
An open house hosted by the Cinema Studies Department faculty and staff. It will be held along with the English Department open house.

Frank Lloyd Wright Open House / Commencement Reunion Weekend

Sunday, May 21, 2023
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Weltzheimer/Johnson House
The Weltzheimer/Johnson House designed by Frank Lloyd Wright will be open for public tours for graduating seniors and their families. The house is an example of Wright’s Usonian style and one...

Commencement Recital II

Sunday, May 21, 2023
1:00 pm
Finney Chapel
Webcast Available
Watch the webcast – streamed live at concert time. A performance featuring Conservatory of Music students from the graduating Class of 2023. Program: Antoine Forqueray / Jean-Baptiste Forqueray...

Tour: Freedom’s Friends History Walk

Sunday, May 21, 2023
1:30 pm to 2:45 pm
Oberlin Heritage Center
Meet on the front steps of First Church, corner of Main and Lorain Streets (RT. 58 and RT. 511) Prior to the Civil War, as many as 3,000 African Americans passed through or lived in Oberlin after...

Computer Science Department Open House

Sunday, May 21, 2023
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
King Building
An open house hosted by the Computer Science Department faculty and staff. All CSCI Majors and Families are Welcome!

Art History Department Open House

Sunday, May 21, 2023
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Clarence Ward Art Library
An open house hosted by the Art History Department faculty and staff.

Dance Department Open House

Sunday, May 21, 2023
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Warner Center
An open house hosted by the Dance Department faculty and staff. The Dance Open House will be followed by the Commencement Contact Jam at 4pm in Warner Main Space

Psychology Department Open House

Sunday, May 21, 2023
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Asia House (Quadrangle)
An open house hosted by the Psychology Department faculty and staff. If it rains, this will take place in the Bosworth Hall Front Lobby.

Geosciences Department Open House

Sunday, May 21, 2023
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Carnegie Building
An open house hosted by the Geosciences Department faculty and staff. Everyone is welcome!

Chemistry & Biochemistry Open House

Sunday, May 21, 2023
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Science Center
An open house hosted by the Chemistry & Biochemistry Department faculty and staff. From 2:15-3:00pm, we will have a short program recognizing each of our graduating seniors. While at our open...

Bonner Center Open House

Sunday, May 21, 2023
2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Mudd Center, Seeley G.
An open house hosted by the Bonner Center faculty and staff. Bonner Alums please RSVP here to the event.

Mathematics Department Open House

Sunday, May 21, 2023
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
King Building
An open house hosted by the Mathematics Department faculty and staff. We will be announcing this year's prize winners at 3pm!

Classics Open House

Sunday, May 21, 2023
2:30 pm to 4:00 pm
King Building
An open house hosted by the Classics Department faculty and staff.

Philosophy Department Open House

Sunday, May 21, 2023
2:30 pm to 4:00 pm
King Building
An open house hosted by the Philosophy Department faculty and staff.

Black Families Appreciation Ceremony and Dinner

Sunday, May 21, 2023
3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Warner Concert Hall
A pre-commencement event created to celebrate the graduation and accomplishments of students of the African diaspora. Kente Cloth stoles will be given to students at the ceremony. The Black Family...

Comparative Literature Department Open House

Sunday, May 21, 2023
3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Spanish House (La Casa Hispánica; Harvey House)
An open house hosted by the Comparative Literature Department faculty and staff.

History Department Open House

Sunday, May 21, 2023
3:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Peters Hall
An open house hosted by the History Department faculty and staff.

Sociology Department Open House

Sunday, May 21, 2023
3:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Peters Hall
An open house hosted by the Sociology Department faculty and staff.

Hispanic Studies Department Open House

Sunday, May 21, 2023
3:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Spanish House (La Casa Hispánica; Harvey House)
An open house hosted by the Hispanic Studies Department faculty and staff.

Conservatory Reception

Sunday, May 21, 2023
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm
David H. Stull Recital Hall
A celebratory reception congratulating the Class of 2023 and recognizing families and alumni of the conservatory and college music degree programs.

OCircus! Commencement Show

Sunday, May 21, 2023
4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Hales Gymnasium
OCircus! is back with their commencement show - the largest circus show of the year! Join our talented aerialists, acrobats, stilters, and jugglers as they perform an amazing show for you! This event...

Tour: Old Conservatory History Walk

Sunday, May 21, 2023
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Oberlin Heritage Center
Begins at the northwest corner of Professor and College Streets. A history of the people, structure, and artwork associated with the original Oberlin Conservatory building, Warner Hall, which sat on...

Oberlin’s Acapella Groups Performance

Sunday, May 21, 2023
4:30 pm
Finney Chapel
Join Oberlin’s acapella groups: The Obertones, Pitch Please, ‘Round Midnight, The Acapelicans, and Nothing but Treble for an afternoon of fun music, filled with pop, classics, and even a...

Illumination and Social on the Square

Sunday, May 21, 2023
7:30 pm
Tappan Square
Experience Tappan Square at its most beautiful, with hundreds of colorful Japanese lanterns strung across the green. Join us for this Oberlin tradition that gathers faculty, alumni, graduates and...

Oberlin College Commencement

Monday, May 22, 2023
9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Tappan Square
We will honor the graduates of the Class of 2023 with a Commencement Ceremony on Tappan Square.