Your information hub for all things OTD Scholarship Week and Commencement
Main Schedule of Events
A more detailed listing specific to students in each class can be found below the main schedule.
Wednesday, April 30
| Event |
Start |
End |
Location |
Notes |
| CAP Talks (Capstone project presentations) |
9 a.m. |
5 p.m. |
Interprofessional Education Building, Lecture Hall |
Schedule |
Thursday, May 1
| Event |
Start |
End |
Location |
Notes |
| CAP Talks (Capstone project presentations) |
12:30 p.m. |
6 p.m. |
Interprofessional Education Building, Lecture Hall |
Schedule |
Friday, May 2
| Event |
Start |
End |
Location |
Notes |
| Student Scholarship Showcase |
4 p.m. |
6 p.m. |
Trent Semans Center, 6th Floor |
|
| Commissioning Ceremony for the Class of 2026 |
6:30 p.m. |
7:30 p.m. |
Trent Semans Center, Great Hall, Level 0* |
Livestream |
*This is a ticketed event due to limited seating capacity. Room 2050 is reserved for overflow seating from 6–8 p.m.
Saturday, May 3
| Event |
Start |
End |
Location |
| Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2025 |
9 a.m.** |
11 a.m. |
Duke Chapel |
**Class of 2025 students arrive at 7:30 a.m. for photos and line-up, and doors open for guests at 8:30 a.m.
Directions
The Trent Semans Center does not have dedicated parking. Users of the facility may be dropped off at the west entrance of the building on Searle Center Drive, with handicap accessibility at this entrance. The address is #10 Bryan-Searle Rd, Durham, NC 27710. Vehicles cannot be parked at the curb of the Trent Semans Center.
The following parking garages may be utilized for visitors attending events at the Trent Semans Center:
- Parking Garage I: Trent Drive across from Duke Clinic and Duke Medicine Pavilion
- Parking Garage II: Erwin Road access from Duke University Hospital
- Research Drive Garage: Research Drive and Erwin Road
Visitors are responsible for all parking expenses assessed at the prevailing rate. The Trent Semans Center does not reimburse for any parking expenses.
The location of these parking facilities can be found under the Health Systems Visitor Garages section on this page.
Parking information can be found here.
Information Specific to Each Class
Hello, Class of 2025!
Scholarship Week and Commencement (aka graduation!) are just around the corner and we’re sure you have a lot of questions about what’s happening that week. Please find below a broad outline of both mandatory and optional events taking place. We are so excited to see you again and celebrate you!
Monday, April 28
| Event |
Start |
End |
Location |
Notes |
| NBCOT Workshop |
8 a.m. |
5 p.m. |
IPE, Lecture Hall |
|
| Divinity-OTD Certificate Presentations |
6 p.m. |
7 p.m. |
Divinity School; Zoom |
Attendance is optional for students who are not presenting |
Tuesday, April 29
| Event |
Start |
End |
Location |
| NBCOT Workshop |
8 a.m. |
5 p.m. |
IPE, Lecture Hall |
Wednesday, April 30
Thursday, May 1
| Event |
Start |
End |
Location |
Notes |
| Graduation Rehearsal |
9 a.m. |
11 a.m. |
Duke Chapel |
Student Ambassadors serving as marshals also attend |
| CAP Talks |
12:30 p.m. |
6 p.m. |
IPE, Lecture Hall; Zoom |
Presentation schedule |
Friday, May 2
| Event |
Start |
End |
Location |
Notes |
| Student Scholarship Showcase |
4 p.m. |
6 p.m. |
Trent Semans Center, 6th Floor |
Attendance is optional but encouraged; show your support for the classes of 2026 and 2027, enjoy delicious hors d’oeuvres |
Saturday, May 3
| Event |
Start |
End |
Location |
| Commencement Ceremony |
Arrive at 7:30 a.m. for photos and line-up |
11 a.m. |
Duke Chapel |
Additional Commencement Information:
- No tickets or RSVP required
- Doors open for guests at 8:30 a.m.
- Guests who use wheelchairs must be registered in advance to ensure accessible seating in the Chapel. Email tessa.kight@duke.edu to register. Find out more about Duke Chapel’s accessibility here
- Paid parking will be available in the Bryan Center Garage (125 Science Drive)
Optional Events
Lavender Graduation Ceremony
- Thursday, April 10; 6 p.m.; Schaefer Theater
- This event celebrates the achievements of Duke’s graduating LGBTQIA+ and ally undergraduates and graduate/professional students
- Reception at The Landing following the ceremony
- Paid parking will be available in the Bryan Center Garage
- Contacts: Angel Collie and Haley Qualls
Multicultural Graduation Ceremony
- Friday, May 2; 6 p.m.; Penn Pavilion
- The Center for Multicultural Affairs hosts this annual event
- Graduates must register to participate
I&E Certificate pick-up and Reception
- Saturday, May 10; 3:30 p.m.; Gross Hall Atrium & Ahmadieh Family Auditorium
- Certificate distribution and reception for the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Graduate and Undergraduate certificate programs
- Doors open at 3:30 p.m.; brief remarks at opening; reception to follow
- Limited parking available in Chemistry Lot, including ADA accessible
- Contact: Melissa Smith
“Big” Duke Graduation Ceremony (University-Wide)
- Sunday, May 11; 9 a.m.; Wallace Wade Stadium
- Participation is optional for OTD graduates
- See Commencement website for details about when and where to arrive and line up for the processional
- Same regalia worn as OTD Commencement
- More info
For information about other graduation events, visit this link.
Monday, April 28
| Event |
Start |
End |
Location |
Notes |
| Capstone poster practice |
8 a.m. |
12 p.m. |
IPE, Skills Lab 1217 |
|
| Commissioning rehearsal |
1 p.m. |
3 p.m. |
Trent Semans Center, Great Hall, Level 0 |
|
| Divinity-OTD Certificate Presentations |
6 p.m. |
7 p.m. |
Divinity School; Zoom |
Attendance is optional for students who are not presenting |
Tuesday, April 29
| Event |
Start |
End |
Location |
Notes |
| BLS Training |
1 p.m. |
5 p.m. |
Erwin CORE Lab |
First- and second-year students are required to attend 8 CAP Talks each (over two days); presentation schedule |
Wednesday, April 30
| Event |
Start |
End |
Location |
Notes |
| CAP Talks |
9 a.m. |
5 p.m. |
IPE, Lecture Hall; Zoom |
First- and second-year students are required to attend 8 CAP Talks each (over two days); presentation schedule |
Thursday, May 1
| Event |
Start |
End |
Location |
Notes |
| CAP Talks |
12:30 p.m. |
5:30 p.m. |
IPE, Lecture Hall; Zoom |
First- and second-year students are required to attend 8 CAP Talks each (over two days); presentation schedule |
Friday, May 2
| Event |
Start |
End |
Location |
Notes |
| Showcase setup |
3:30 p.m. |
4 p.m. |
Trent Semans Center, 6th Floor |
Scholarship posters are due by April 23 and will be available for pick up by Monday April 28; students only |
| Student Scholarship Showcase |
4 p.m. |
6 p.m. |
Trent Semans Center, 6th Floor |
Ticketed event |
| Commissioning Ceremony |
6:30 p.m. |
7:30 p.m. |
Trent Semans Center, Great Hall, Level 0 |
Livestream; ticketed event due to capacity limits of Great Hall, 5 tickets are allotted per student (not counting you); children count as guests; if you need more than 5 tickets, we encourage you to ask classmates who may not need all of theirs; Room 2050 is reserved for overflow seating from 6–8 p.m. |
Saturday, May 3
| Event |
Start |
End |
Location |
Notes |
| Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2025 |
9 a.m. |
11 a.m. |
Duke Chapel |
attendance is optional, not a ticketed event |
Monday, April 28
| Event |
Start |
End |
Location |
Notes |
| OTD 512 (ACT II) final class |
9 a.m. |
12 p.m. |
IPE, TBL |
|
| Divinity-OTD Certificate Presentations |
6 p.m. |
7 p.m. |
Divinity School; Zoom |
Attendance is optional for students who are not presenting |
Tuesday, April 29
| Event |
Start |
End |
Location |
| OTD 512 (ACT II) mock poster session |
9 a.m. |
12 p.m. |
IPE, TBL |
Wednesday, April 30
| Event |
Start |
End |
Location |
Notes |
| CAP Talks |
9 a.m. |
5 p.m. |
IPE, Lecture Hall |
First- and second-year students are required to attend 8 CAP Talks each (over two days); presentation schedule |
Thursday, May 1
| Event |
Start |
End |
Location |
Notes |
| CAP Talks |
12:30 p.m. |
5:30 p.m. |
IPE, Lecture Hall |
First- and second-year students are required to attend 8 CAP Talks each (over two days); presentation schedule |
Friday, May 2
| Event |
Start |
End |
Location |
Notes |
| Showcase setup |
3:30 p.m. |
4 p.m. |
Trent Semans Center, 6th Floor |
Scholarship posters are due by April 23 and will be available for pick up by Monday April 28; students only |
| Student Scholarship Showcase |
4 p.m. |
6 p.m. |
Trent Semans Center, 6th Floor |
Not a ticketed event |
| Commissioning Ceremony |
6:30 p.m. |
7:30 p.m. |
Trent Semans Center, Great Hall, Level 0 |
Ticketed event |
Saturday, May 3
| Event |
Start |
End |
Location |
Notes |
| Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2025 |
9 a.m. |
11 a.m. |
Duke Chapel |
attendance is optional, not a ticketed event |
