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Laurel Parade and Laurel Chain Ceremony

By Alum Association, Class of 1946, Class of 1951, Class of 1956, Class of 1966, Class of 1976, Class of 1986, Class of 2001, Class of 2006, Class of 2016, Class of 2024, Class of 2026, Frances Perkins Scholars

Saturday, May 23, 2026 9:00am to 10:00am EDT

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Graduating students line up for Laurel Parade
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About this Event

Woolley Circle to Mary Lyon’s Grave
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Join us for this beloved annual tradition! Kicking off at 9 am, Loyalty class members will lead all returning alums and seniors to Mary Lyon's grave for the Laurel Chain Ceremony where seniors weave laurel around Mary Lyon's Grave and sing "Bread and Roses," marking the transition from Mount Holyoke student to Mount Holyoke alum. Parade will be held rain or shine.

Laurel Parade: 9-9:45 am
Laurel Chain Ceremony: 9:45-10 am

Event access:

  • Location, paths of travel to the location, entry
  • Bathrooms closest to space:
  • seated/standing/moving
    • Marchers will proceed from Woolley Circle to Mary Lyon's grave where they will gather around the grave and seniors will weave the laurel chain around the grave. Family and guests are welcome to line the parade route to watch the event. 
  • lecture/participatory
    • Seniors will march in the parade and wrap the laurel chain around the grave
  • Food
    • no
  • Student only?
    • Seniors and alums are invited and encouraged to participate in the parade, others on campus are invited to line the parade route as viewers.

Event Details

Event Type

Gatherings & Meetings Traditions & Annual Events Reunion

Event Topic

Community

Event Audience

Students Faculty Alums Staff Graduate Students Invited Guests

Tags

Commencement Event

Group

Alum Association, Class of 1946, Class of 1951, Class of 1956, Class of 1966, Class of 1976, Class of 1986, Class of 2001, Class of 2006, Class of 2016, Class of 2024, Class of 2026, Frances Perkins Scholars

ACCESSIBILITY

For inquiries about the accessibility of this event or to request any accommodations, please contact the accommodation contact for the event. If one is not listed, please reach out to the hosting group. Please make accommodation requests no later than 72 hours in advance to give implementation time. However, in all situations, a good faith effort will be made to provide accommodations up until the time of the event.

See Who Is Interested

  • Mark Broussard
  • AC Kimball
  • Renee Sweeney
  • Heather Vickers Ryan

+ 5 People interested in event

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DISCLAIMER


All College community members should ensure their contact information is up to date in the emergency notification system. Guests who will be on campus can opt into this system for three days by texting “MHCGuestAlert” to 67283.

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