The Divinity Baccalaureate Service and Hooding Ceremony, held in Duke Chapel, will feature a sermon by the Rev. Dr. Jerusha Matsen Neal, associate professor of homiletics, and a service of investiture in which Divinity students are individually named and receive their academic hoods.

A light reception in the Divinity Café will follow the service.

Tickets

Graduates are responsible for ordering tickets. Each degree candidate can receive up to four tickets that admit guests for seating in Duke Chapel during the priority seating window, 5:30-6:00 p.m. General seating for those without seating tickets begins at 6:00 p.m.

When Duke Chapel is filled to capacity, staff will direct guests to the overflow seating in the Divinity School, where they can view a live video stream of the service. Guests with young children might consider opting for seating in the Divinity School with easier access to bathrooms and no food restrictions.

Accessibility and Translation Services

Degree candidates who have ticketed guests in wheelchairs may contact Christina Hershey from the Office of the Chaplain to request special seating. Those who need sign language interpretation for the hearing impaired or foreign language interpretation should also contact Christina Hershey. The chaplain’s office will do their best to accommodate needs.

Webcast and Photography

Guests who are unable to attend the baccalaureate service may view via live video stream. The livestream of the service may be viewed here. The service will also be archived on the Duke Chapel website.

Due to fire codes and regulations, guests are not permitted to stand in the aisles to take photographs. They may take photos from their seats, but we ask that they not stand up or move into the aisle. A professional photographer will be present to take individual photos of each graduate as they are being hooded. A link to purchase these photos will be provided to graduates following the service.