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• Donning of the Kente

In 2012, William & Mary started a new tradition, the Donning of the Kente. By instituting this rite of passage ceremony, W&M joined the ranks of other universities across the country in celebrating excellence, both personal and academic, for graduating students.

All graduating William & Mary students (undergraduate, graduate, and professional) are welcome to participate in the Donning of the Kente.

Many students have remarked that one of the aspects of the ceremony that made it very special was the opportunity to choose their donner. This feature of the ceremony gave them the chance to not only celebrate their accomplishments but also to recognize someone special in their lives. As a result, parents, siblings, friends, faculty, and administrators have served in this very special role.

We want our graduates to know that their relationship with the university does not end at graduation. A new chapter begins when you become an alumnus. We want to continue to share in your development and growth as an active and engaged alumnus.  The Donning of the Kente Ceremony is the first step in this relationship.

For the latest information about Commencement 2026, check out the official commencement website.

REGISTER FOR THE 2026 Donning of the kente

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• Date: Friday, May 15th, 2026 (tentative)
• Ceremony Start Time: 11:30 a.m. (tentative) 
• Location: Tent, Sunken Gardens
  • Rain Location: Bee McLeod Recreation Center, Gymnasium

• Check-in for the ceremony is at 10:00 a.m. at Hearth: Memorial to the Enslaved.
• We will take a group photo of all graduating students at Hearth at 11:00 a.m.
• Students and their donners will process from Hearth to the Sunken Gardens tent beginning at 11:15 a.m.
• The ceremony begins at 11:30 a.m. and typically last 1.5 to 2 hours and is followed by a reception.

• Each graduate is allowed to up to two (2) donners. Your donner(s) will process in with you and will join you on the stage. It is your responsibility to make sure that your donner knows the details included in this email.
• If you are unable to find someone to don you (for whatever reason), please email [[w|lemon]] and we'll arrange a donner.

• You may bring as many guests as you would like to attend the Donning of the Kente, and there are no tickets required.

• Participants and their donners must arrive by 10:00 a.m. for check-in to Hearth: Memorial to the Enslaved.
• Undergraduate Students and their Donners will check-in at Hearth: Memorial to the Enslaved.
• Graduate and Professional Students will check-in at Hearth: Memorial to the Enslaved.

• Kente stoles are free. You will receive one before the Donning of the Kente ceremony. You do not need to purchase a Kente stole. These stoles were designed by members of the graduating class of 2012, who were the first class to take part in the Donning of the Kente.
• When you check-in on May 15, we will give you and your donner(s) your Kente stole. You will use this stole during the donning, and you are welcome to wear it throughout commencement weekend and beyond.

• You can wear your regalia (caps, gowns, hoods, cords, etc.), but you are not required to wear regalia.
• Donners may dress as they would like. In the past, people have worn everything from suits and ties and dresses to jeans and flip flops. All is fine.
• Students and donners will be standing for a while as you wait to process to the Sunken Gardens tent, so please wear comfortable shoes.

• The area around the Sunken Gardens will be busy with multiple commencement activities, and parking is limited. For information about parking over Commencement Weekend, go to: https://www.wm.edu/sites/commencement/

Recent Alumni: If you'd like to receive a stole but did not receive one during graduation, email [[w|lemon]]. The Lemon Project might have stoles from your graduation year available.