Event Description
Baccalaureate services are held in the majestic Duke Chapel. The services are interfaith and include prayers, music and scripture readings. Luke Powery, Dean of the Chapel, will give the sermon, and President Vincent E. Price will give the President’s Charge. Graduates should attend the service corresponding to the first letter of their surname.
Tickets are required for guest entry into Duke Chapel and Page Auditorium. Each student is allotted up to four guest tickets to their respective service. Students needing additional tickets should ask fellow classmates about unused tickets, but please note that additional tickets must be for the same service.
Event Details
| Service | Ticket Color | Date | Time | Service Location | Guest Viewing Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surnames A–H | Yellow | Friday, May 8 | 4:30 PM | Duke Chapel | Page Auditorium |
| Surnames I–Q | Green | Saturday, May 9 | 11:30 AM | Duke Chapel | Page Auditorium |
| Surnames R–Z | Blue | Saturday, May 9 | 3:00 PM | Duke Chapel | Page Auditorium |
Doors will open an estimated 45 minutes prior to the start of each service and close when venues reach capacity.
Procession
Each service begins with a procession of graduates into the Chapel. Graduates wear academic apparel (no hoods), and the procession begins ten minutes before the service’s scheduled start time.
Parking and Transportation
The Science Drive Garage has been reserved for general parking and buses will transport guests from this location to the Chapel Quad.
Accessibility
The Bryan Center Parking Garage is reserved for guests with mobility impairments. Guests may also be dropped off at the Bryan Center Circle Drive. There are accessible pedestrian pathways to both Page Auditorium and Duke Chapel from all of these locations. View a map depicting the pathways here (PDF).
Please visit the Baccalaureate Frequently Asked Questions page for further information for guests with mobility impairments.
Seating
All graduates will be seated in the Chapel. The main seating for guests is in Page Auditorium with very limited guest seating behind the graduates in the Chapel. The services are simulcast on a large video screen in Page Auditorium.
Tickets
Tickets are required for guest entry into Duke Chapel and Page Auditorium. Each student is allotted up to four guest tickets to their respective service.
Please note: It is not permitted to sell your baccalaureate tickets.
Students needing additional tickets should ask fellow classmates about unused tickets, but please note that additional tickets must be for the same service. Tickets are color-coded and may only be used at the corresponding service (see chart).
A photo ID must be presented upon picking up tickets.
| Baccalaureate Ticket Pickup Bryan Center Information Desk |
|
| Monday, April 27 – Friday, May 1 | 11 AM – 6 PM |
| Monday, May 4 – Friday, May 8 | 11 AM – 6 PM |
| Saturday, May 9 | 9 AM – 3 PM |
Request a different service
If a student is unable to attend their assigned baccalaureate service due to a conflicting graduation event or family circumstance, ticket exchange requests can be made to commencement@duke.edu.
Please include the following information in your message: Name, NetID, School, # of tickets you are requesting, date of preferred service, time of preferred service and your reason for switching services.
Weather
Baccalaureate services are held indoors and will occur rain or shine.
Webcast
Guests who are unable to attend a baccalaureate service may view via live streaming. The video will be available on the homepage as the event is happening as well as on the Duke Chapel YouTube channel.