Our Final Commencement
On Saturday, May 16th, 2026, Sterling College will hold its final Commencement Ceremony in the Houston House Gardens on the Sterling Campus.
Graduation is always a special event at Sterling College, designed to honor and celebrate our graduates. The graduation ceremony is thoughtfully planned with input from the graduates, reflecting their personal experiences and aspirations, including the selection of themes for our commencement speakers. It is a moment of pride and emotion for everyone at Sterling and above all, it’s time to celebrate graduates and their families.
Our 27th Commencement will be our final commencement ceremony, a moment to honor not only our graduates, but the community that made their journey possible. Together, we will celebrate our students, faculty, staff, alumni, trustees, and neighbors who have shaped this institution for more than six decades.
This milestone occasion will be an especially memorable one, featuring celebratory events for our community and our guests with homemade dishes prepared using ingredients sourced from the Sterling Farm. It reflects our legacy of over 65 years of hands-on, experiential, place-based learning centered on the environment and community.
If you would like to support this historic event, we would be deeply grateful. Your contribution helps us honor our graduates, all who came before them, and close this chapter with the celebration it deserves.
Please consider making a donation in support of Commencement today.
Schedule of Commencement Events
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Location: Hosmer Point
This special dinner features dishes made with love by our Dining Services Director, Liz Chadwick ‘14 and her team. Each senior requests their favorite dishes. We often see things like a gigantic cheese board, shrimp cocktail, eggplant parmesan, or tacos carnitas! Anything your heart desires!
By invitation only for our graduates, faculty, and staff.
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Location: Alfond Barn, Sterling College Upper Campus
On Commencement Eve, with the faculty and staff, the Sterling College Board of Trustees invites graduates and their families to come together in the Alfond Barn to toast to our graduates.
By invitation only, for Sterling College faculty, staff, trustees, our graduates, and their guests.
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Location: Dunbar Dining Hall, Sterling College Upper Campus
Join us on the evening before Commencement for a special family dinner as we gather to mark this historic moment together. On the eve of our final commencement ceremony, graduates and their guests, faculty, staff, and students are invited to share a meal and reflect on the journey that brought us here.
By invitation only for all current students, faculty, staff, trustees, graduates, and their families.
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Location: Houston House Gardens, Sterling College Upper Campus
Rain Location: Tent in the Houston House Gardens
Please join us for Sterling College’s 27th—and final—Commencement Ceremony as we gather to celebrate our graduates and the community that has shaped them. This meaningful occasion honors our students, faculty, staff, alumni, trustees, families, and friends, and reflects more than 65 years of hands-on, experiential, place-based learning rooted in care for the environment and community.
The ceremony will take place in the Houston House Gardens on Sterling’s campus and is open to all. We warmly welcome families, alumni, and community members to be part of this historic moment.
We look forward to celebrating together.
Space is limited. Please RSVP by April 15, 2026.
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Location: Houston House Gardens, Sterling College Upper Campus
This communal reception celebrates the relationships, learning, and sense of place that have defined Sterling for more than 65 years. Featuring light bites prepared with ingredients sourced from Sterling Farm, the reception honors our tradition of hands-on, experiential, place-based learning and the community that made it possible.
Come together to connect, reminisce, and celebrate—one last time—on the land that has shaped so many lives.
All are welcome. Kindly RSVP.