Baccalaureate is a senior capstone service that takes place during Commencement week.
Unlike more traditional Baccalaureate services, which function as Christian church services, our Baccalaureate is a student-planned, student-led, interfaith celebration of the spiritual journeys of the senior class.
This year's service will be held in Gray Chapel at 7 p.m. on May 9, 2025.
The public is invited to attend ³Ô¹ÏÍø's baccalaureate ceremony featuring graduating seniors reflecting on their OWU journeys and a conversation with Emmy Award-winning actor Jasmine Guy.
The free event will begin at 7 p.m. Friday, May 9, in Gray Chapel inside University Hall, 61 S. Sandusky St., Delaware. Baccalaureate is an interfaith service that celebrates the spiritual journeys of students during their time at the university. This year's baccalaureate theme is "Blooming from Sacred Foundations."
In addition to student reflections, baccalaureate also will feature Guy, well-known for portraying Whitley Gilbert on TV's "A Different World," in conversation with Ohio Wesleyan President Matt vandenBerg and Chief Diversity Officer Dawn Chisebe.
During her career, Guy has earned six NAACP Image Awards and an outstanding actress Emmy for her work in "Chronicles of Jessica Wu." Her acting credits also include TV's "Grey's Anatomy" and "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air" and films Spike Lee's "School Daze," and Eddie Murphy's "Harlem Nights" and "Diamond Men."
Ohio Wesleyan's baccalaureate ceremony will be followed at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 10, by the university's 181st commencement ceremony, with more than 300 fall 2024 and spring 2025 graduates earning their diplomas. Weather permitting, commencement will be held on the lawn in front of Merrick Hall, 65 S. Sandusky St., Delaware.
Guy will serve as the keynote speaker at the outdoor ceremony and receive an OWU Honorary Doctor of Fine Art degree, the university's highest honor, during the event. Ohio Wesleyan awards honorary degrees to individuals, such as Guy, who have demonstrated excellence in their fields and made significant contributions to the betterment of the world.
Both events will be streamed live and archived online at . Learn more at .