May 15-16

BLUE AND YELLOW DINNER

Friday, May 15, at 5 p.m. in Raney Dining Room.

A traditional meal celebrating all graduates. Dressier attire is appropriate for all who attend. There is no charge for residential students, and graduating commuter student tickets will be paid for by Cottey’s SGA.

Guest tickets are $14 for adults and $10 for children ages 6-12, and residential students are welcome to attend at no charge. Tickets can be purchased at the door.

CAPPING

Friday, May 15, at 6:45 p.m. on the steps of Main Hall (In case of rain, meet in auditorium)

Capping is a tradition that dates to the early days of the College, when each graduate of the two-year program selected a first-year student to place the mortarboard upon her head the evening before Commencement. Today, each graduate selects up to three cappers to participate in the ceremony, which takes place on the front steps of Main Hall. Graduating students will wear their academic regalia.

Traditionally, cappers wear white dresses or slacks and male cappers wear white shirts and khaki pants. Capping is organized by the second- and fourth-year classes and further information will be shared later. Students and their family members are welcome to join Dr. Niles for a Dessert Reception beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the President’s House (738 W. Cherry) following Capping.

COTTEY’S 142nd COMMENCEMENT

Saturday, May 16, at 10 a.m. in the Center for the Arts Auditorium

Required Commencement Rehearsal: All graduates are required to attend a Commencement rehearsal on Thursday, May 14, at 1 p.m. in the Auditorium. Students must be present to receive important instructions essential for the ceremony to run smoothly.

Cottey’s 142nd Commencement will take place on Saturday, May 16, at 10 a.m. The 2026 Commencement speaker will be Dr. Burns-Wallace, president and chief executive officer of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Each graduate is allowed up to eight (8) guests, and all guests must have a ticket to enter the Auditorium. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis, with doors opening at 9:15 a.m. Overflow seating will be provided in the Missouri Recital Hall, where guests can watch the ceremony via livestream. To comply with fire codes, standing in the aisles will not be permitted in either the Auditorium or the Recital Hall.

Graduates will gather in the lobby of the Rogers Fine Arts Building (RFAB) at 9:30 a.m., where they will each receive a daisy to carry in the procession to the Auditorium. Upon entering, graduates will place their daisies in a basket in the foyer. These daisies will then be distributed to students participating in the Daisy Chain, a tradition that symbolizes the connection between past and future classes.

Non-graduating students are encouraged to participate in the Daisy Chain and are asked to wear white. Those interested should meet around the Tango statue on the east side of the Center for the Arts at 9:40 a.m. Reserved seating will be available for students who take part in the Daisy Chain.

Honors and Awards Convocation: Students are recognized for outstanding achievements at the Honors and Awards Convocation on Tuesday, May 5, at 7 p.m. in the Missouri Recital Hall. Scholarships and awards in recognition of distinguished achievement as selected by the faculty are presented.

Other noteworthy awards, including the Marie K. Busch Freshman of the Year, selected by vote of the student body, will be awarded. The Student Commencement Speaker and the Commencement Benediction Speaker, who will receive Hawaiian leis from Chapter C, Hawaii, will be announced. Award recipients will be notified in advance. Recipients are expected to be in attendance if possible.