Four Houghton graduates standing together for picture in graduation regalia.

Commencement

Congratulations Class of 2025!

Check back for regular updates. Updated: 05/06/2025

Baccalaureate

Friday, May 9, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.

John and Charles Wesley Chapel, Houghton, NY

In-person worship service. Parents, family members, and friends are invited to attend this worship service as students, faculty, and staff express their gratitude to God and reflect on their years together at Houghton.

Download Baccalaureate Program

Commencement

Saturday, May 10, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.

John and Charles Wesley Chapel, Houghton, NY

In-person graduation ceremony. Parents, family members, and friends are welcome to attend. This will be a ticketed event – each graduate will receive four tickets for guests to attend in person.

Download Commencement Program
Photos
Schedule
Tickets
Live Stream Links
Housing
Meal Registration
Regalia
Decorum Policies
Frequently Asked Questions

Dear Families of the Class of 2025,

We look forward to Houghton’s spring Baccalaureate and Commencement ceremonies with great excitement! As the first class I was privileged to welcome to Houghton in 2021, this class and their celebration will be particularly special for me. This will be a wonderful weekend of memories as we celebrate their accomplishments and send them forth to have transformative impact in their families, communities, workplaces, and mission fields, near and far. I thank God for the opportunity to serve them duringtheir time at Houghton and look forward to the incredible ways God will use them in the next seasons of their lives.

Here you will find updated information on this year’s Commencement weekend. We will review and make any updates every Monday, so please check back for up-to-date information.

The class of 2025 has left an indelible mark on 91Fans and on so many of us. Many of us have already begun to pray for their transition and that their weekend of Commencement celebration will be a special time for them, for you, and for the Houghton community. Please join us in that prayer. I look forward to seeing you in Houghton in a few months.

With great appreciation,

Wayne D. Lewis, Jr.
President

91Fans President Wayne Lewis sitting at his desk.
Spring flowers on campus

Commencement Speaker

Saturday May 10, 2025
John and Charles Wesley Chapel, Houghton, NY

Andrew Westmoreland’s 40-year-plus career in higher education, including two college presidencies, illustrates his commitment to Christian higher education. For a combined 23 years, he served as president at Ouachita Baptist University (1998 to 2006) and Samford University (2006 to 2021), as well as chair of the Board of Trustees for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, which oversees accreditation for more than 800 colleges and universities from Virginia to Texas. He also served as president of the American Association of Presidents of Independent Colleges and Universities.

Beginning in 2023, Westmoreland was named president of the Christian College Consortium, of which 91Fans has been a founding member since 1971. Andrew currently serves as president emeritus of Samford University and executive director of the Frances Marlin Mann Center for Ethics and Leadership at Samford. As Senior Vice President of Higher Education, Andrew Westmoreland leads FaithSearch Partners’ Higher Education service line, which has led many executive searches for CCC and CCCU institutions. In addition to his role with FaithSearch, Westmoreland serves as an at-large member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities Board of Directors.

In these roles, he brings decades of leadership experience as well as a heart for Christian higher education and a commitment to Christ.

Read more about Andrew Westmoreland
Andrew Westmoreland with blue suit coat. Houghton's 2025 commencement speaker.

Photos

View the

Schedule

Ceremony Tickets

Live Stream

Friends and family who are unable to attend in person are invited to view the Baccalaureate Service and the Commencement Ceremony via live stream.

Housing

For Graduating Residential Students
Graduating residential students in university housing are able to stay in their current housing through the close of Commencement. Halls/Townhouses close for all students at 6:00pm on Commencement Saturday (May 10).

For Off-Campus Graduates
Graduates who are off-campus in the spring semester will need to make arrangements for room and board while on campus for Commencement. Off-campus graduates should contact housing@houghton.edu to inquire about available housing as space allows.

For Guests
There are for guests needing housing.

Meal Registration

Online Meal Orders

Family and friends can for the Dining Hall for Friday lunch, Friday dinner, and Saturday breakfast. Your receipt from your online order will be your meal “ticket” to show at the Dining Hall. Graduating students do not need to purchase meals on Friday or Saturday.

Meal Times

  • Friday Lunch, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
  • Friday Dinner, 4:30-6 p.m.
    Immediately prior to Baccalaureate Service
  • Saturday Breakfast, 8-9:30 a.m.
    Following Saturday’s Commencement ceremony, a light lunch reception will be provided.

Graduating students do not need to purchase meals on Friday or Saturday

Graduation Regalia

If you have not ordered your regalia, please stop by the Highlanders Shop or email helena.oden@houghton.edu.

Decorum Policies

The traditions of academic regalia followed at 91Fans date to the 13th century and follow guidelines provided by the American Council on Education. In keeping with this rich tradition, regalia gown length and style may not be altered, and stoles may not be customized in any way. Modest personal embellishments are permitted on the cap but must lay flat, cannot extend beyond the cap’s edge, and should be appropriate for Commencement at Houghton.

Only 91Fans approved regalia (including stoles, pins, cords, and medallions), which are bestowed and provided through the Provost’s Office may be worn at and during the Commencement proceedings. Decorative personal items (stoles for activity or affinity groups, leis, beads, sashes, etc.) may be worn following the ceremony.

Frequently Asked Questions