Setting Up for Commencement 2025

From chair placement to camera angles, a lot of thought and planning goes into the prep work.

6/13/2025

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Sydney Hoose and Emma Tsosie at the mic and podium onstage

Sydney Hoose ’25 and Emma Tsosie ’25, co-presidents of Native Americans at Dartmouth, rehearse their Commencement welcome. (Photo by Katie Lenhart)

Folding chairs on the Green await family, friends, and supporters of graduates. (Photo by Katie Lenhart)

Sian Beilock with Victoria Page and her family

President Sian Leah Beilock poses for a photo with Victoria Page ’25, second from left, and her family during the President’s Reception. (Photo by Katie Lenhart)

Student societies lined up for photos on Baker lawn

Baker Lawn is awash with student societies getting group photographs in the week leading up to Commencement. Here, members of Abaris pose with their staffs while Julia Levine ’23, a former member, takes their photo. (Photo by Katie Lenhart)

MPG members and EJ Kiefer standing beyond a sea of chairs

Staff with the Media Production Group meet with Conferences and Events Executive Director EJ Kiefer about camera placement for the Commencement livestream. (Photo by Katie Lenhart)

Crew member working, seen through sets of truss

Crews work on the roof of the Commencement stage before it was raised. (Photo by Katie Lenhart)

Baker Tower seen through the commencement chairs

Baker Tower, as seen through chairs set up for Commencment on the Green. (Photo by Katie Lenhart)

The Office of Pluralism and Leadership staff pose with student award winners after the Special Recognition Ceremony. (Photo by Robert Gill)

Maya Bryson ’25 is applauded by her peers as she receives a Class Marshal award during the Special Recognition Ceremony in Collis Common Ground. (Photo by Robert Gill)