COMMENCEMENT AT CENTRAL
In September 1884, under the leadership of Principal Damon, Orleans Seminary opened its doors. Later, in 1914, the College moved to McPherson, KS under a new name, “Central Academy and College”. Since that time, much has changed at the institution now known as Central Christian College of Kansas, but its mission – the one Principal Damon envisioned many years ago – has stayed the same: to provide a “Christ-Centered Education for Character” to each and every person who walks through its doors.
For nearly a century and a half, Central has maintained that mission and seen thousands graduate through its doors and on their way to lead lives of character and service – all to the glory of God.
Graduation, or rather Commencement, as it is more formally known, is typically just known as a ceremony in which students are recognized for their academic achievements. But at Central, it means so much more. At Central, it means a celebration of what God has done in the lives of each and every graduate and what he will continue to do.
2025 Commencement Week Schedule
Thursday, April 24
6:00 p.m. Baccalaureate & Ivy Cutting (Upper Dining Room for senior students only)
Monday, April 28 – Thursday, May 1
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Residential graduates pick up caps & gowns (Briner Academic Center)*
*Fall graduates can pick up at Graduation Practice
Friday, May 2
Tiger Central Store open 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Briner Library)
4:00 p.m. Graduation Practice (Pyle South Gym) Required for all residential graduates!
Saturday, May 3
Tiger Central Store open 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m(Briner Library)
11:00 a.m. SPE/SGS Graduate Connection – Pick up Caps and Gowns: Opportunity for online and masters graduates and families to connect with one another in a relaxed environment
(Briner Academic Center)
12:00 p.m. SGS Pictures and Hooding Ceremony (Front of Science Hall)
12:30 p.m. SPE Pictures (Front of Science Hall)
1:00 p.m. SAS Pictures (Front of Science Hall)
1:30 p.m. Lineup (Wesley Black Fine Arts Center)
2:00 p.m. SAS/SPE/SGS Commencement (Pyle South Gym)
3:30 p.m. SAS/SPE/SGS Reception (M.B. Miller Plaza)
