Bentley University Commencement Guide: Speakers, Start Times

WALTHAM, MA — Graduation weekend is here for Bentley University students.

Bentley’s graduate and PhD commencement ceremony will be held on May 19 starting at 4 p.m. at Bentley Arena. The undergraduate ceremony will take place on May 20 starting at 9:30 a.m. at the university's football field.

More than 1,700 students will receive diplomas, the university said.

Undergraduate students will receive bachelor’s degrees from a variety of business and liberal arts programs.

Graduate students will receive advanced degrees that include a Master’s in Business Administration, Master’s in Business Analytics and Master’s in Finance.

Graduates are allowed to bring as many guests as they wish to the ceremonies, and no tickets are required. Seating is first come first served, however.

Parking will be available for guests on the main campus and shuttle buses will run from that area to the venues on Bentley's south campus.

For those who can't make it in person, the ceremony will be livestreamed and viewable to watch after the fact on the Bentley's YouTube channel.

More information about commencement can be found here.

Speakers

Former Massachusetts Governor and current NCAA President Charlie Baker as its undergraduate commencement speaker for 2023. Its graduate speaker is no slouch either in cofounder and former CEO of Tripadvisor Stephen Kaufer.

Baker is set to deliver the keynote address at the university's 104th undergraduate ceremony during his first year as the head of the NCAA. Prior to that, he served as governor from 2015-2023.

It's unique timing, as he'll speak to some undergraduate athletes in the crowd who helped Bentley achieve the highest athletic graduation rates in the country for six years in a row.

The latest NCAA Division II Academic Success Rate report found that 99 percent of Bentley student-athletes went on to graduate from the university.

Kaufer will speak at the 48th commencement ceremony for Bentley's McCallum Graduate School of Business, giving his first commencement address since stepping down as CEO of Tripadvisor.

“At Bentley, we know that business can be a force that changes the world, so I’m thrilled that our graduates at this year’s commencement will hear from such inspiring, accomplished executives who have exemplified this ideal over the course of their careers,” said Bentley President E. LaBrent Chrite.

“Charlie Baker and Steve Kaufer exemplify the type of entrepreneurial and collaborative leadership to which our graduates aspire, and it will be an honor to welcome them to Bentley University.”

At the respective ceremonies, Baker and Kaufer will receive honorary Doctor of Commercial Science degrees.