Baccalaureate

Since Yale’s first century, students and faculty members have gathered before Commencement for Baccalaureate ceremonies. The name of the ceremony comes from one of the earliest terms applied to the university degree of bachelor, and Yale students receiving the degree continue to assemble for this event in the university’s fourth century. Today, reflecting the diversity of faith traditions on campus, student leaders from several religions participate in the program by reading from sacred texts. Continuing tradition, chaplains offer prayers, and hymns and an anthem are sung.