Bethel College Baccalaureate Service and 132nd Commencement

Update: Photos have been posted!

Bethel College’s 2025 graduation ceremonies will take place Sunday, May 18, at 4 p.m. on campus.

Bethel College
300 E. 27th St.
North Newton, KS 67117
Tel: 316-283-2500 or 800-522-1887

Bethel College campus map

Where we are located

Parking areas are designated on the map by a “P” which includes the Thresher Stadium parking lot, Kauffman Museum and Luyken Fine Arts Center (#20 on map).

(All times indicated are Central Daylight Time, CDT.)

Commencement rehearsal – Saturday, May 17

Commencement rehearsal for graduates will take place Saturday, May 17, from 10-11 a.m. in Memorial Hall (#24 on map). The registrar’s office will send more details to graduates through campus mail at a later date.

Baccalaureate service – Sunday, May 18

Baccalaureate begins at 10 a.m. at Bethel College Mennonite Church (#4 on map), with worship, music and other content selected by a committee of seniors. Graduates do not need to wear their graduation robes, and are welcome to sit with their families.

Class photo – Sunday, May 18

All graduates report to the Administration Building steps (#1 on map) in cap and gown at 2:45 p.m. for a class photo. (In case of inclement weather, report to the Administration Building Chapel.) After the photo, graduates proceed to Luyken Fine Arts Center (#20 on map) to assemble and prepare for the commencement procession. All senior graduates are required to attend. Graduates will receive inclement weather plans for the procession from the registrar’s office. 

Commencement – Sunday, May 18

The formal commencement ceremony will take place at 4 p.m. in Memorial Hall (#24 on map). The closest parking lot to Memorial Hall is the stadium parking lot. Other options include the Kauffman Museum and Luyken Fine Arts Center (#20 on map) parking lots.

Graduation robes, caps and tassels can be ordered and paid for through Thresher Shop in Schultz Student Center (#30 on map). The Thresher Shop will send out an email to graduates with more details. Order graduation announcements through CB Announcement online or by calling 800-433-0296. Order forms are also available in Thresher Shop.

Photographs

Update: Photos have been posted!

Photographer will be taking photos of graduates at baccalaureate and commencement, including graduates receiving their diplomas. These photos will be available to graduates and family members at no cost. A link will be provided as soon as possible after May 18.

2025 commencement speaker

“What I’d Wished They’d Told Me”
Trenton T. Voth, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Bible and Religion and Director of Philosophy

More information posted in News

Approximate travel times to Bethel campus

City	Approximate Travel Time
Wichita	30 minutes
Hutchinson	30 minutes
Salina	1 hour
Oklahoma City	3 hours
Kansas City	2 1/2 – 3 1/2 hours
Denver	7 – 8 1/2 hours
Houston	9 – 10 hours

Important dates for commencement 2025

Bethel College campus map

Friday, May 16

• 7–9 pm — Senior Art Exhibit & Reception, Regier Art Gallery, Luyken Fine Arts Center (#20 on map)

Saturday, May 17

• 10 a.m. — Mandatory graduation rehearsal for all senior graduates, Memorial Hall (#24 on map).
  
• 11 a.m. — Graduate Gathering, The Caf, Schultz Student Center (#30 on map). Graduates only.
  Special meal for all senior graduates, with presentation of senior gifts, sponsored by the Bethel College Alumni Association, Student Alumni Association and President’s Office.
  
• 2 p.m. — Nurses‘ Pinning Ceremony, Krehbiel Auditorium, Luyken Fine Arts Center (#20 on map)

Sunday, May 18

• 10 a.m. — Baccalaureate service, Bethel College Mennonite Church (#4 on the map)
  
• 2:45 p.m. — Senior class photo, Administration Building steps (#1 on map)
  All graduates are required to attend. In case of inclement weather, the photo will be taken in the Administration Building Chapel.
  
• 4 p.m. — Commencement, Memorial Hall (#24 on map)