Parking

As guests arrive on campus for the Candlelight Service of Worship and Celebration (formerly Baccalaureate), traffic personal will be directing vehicles to parking areas. The doors for the Candlelight Service open at 6 p.m., one hour before the start of the ceremony, so please plan accordingly to allow time for you and your party to park and walk to Eisenhower Campus Center, the location of the service. There will not be shuttle services available for this event.

Guest disability parking

Disability parking is available for the Candlelight Service and requires either: 1) an official state-issued parking hang tag or license plate or 2) a special university-issued parking pass. University-issued passes will need to be picked up by the graduate for his/her guests, beginning April, 20, 2026, from the Dispatch office located on the first floor of Eisenhower Campus Center. They must be picked up by 7 p.m. on Friday, May 8, 2026.

NOTE: The university-issued disability parking pass may be used both for the Candlelight Service and for the Commencement ceremony.

Commencement day parking (Saturday)

On Commencement day, traffic personnel will direct guests to designated parking areas on campus. Shuttle buses will transport guests between their parking area and Starry Athletic Complex, both before and after the Commencement ceremony. There is an approximate 10-15 minute wait between shuttles, so please plan accordingly. The walkling distance from the parking shuttle drop-off point (near the Covered Bridge) to the ceremony site at Shoemaker Field is about 1/4-mile on a paved surface with a slightly steep incline.

Guest disability parking

Limited disability parking is available for the Commencement service and requires either: 1) an official state issued parking hang tag or disability license plate or 2) a special university-issued parking pass. University-issued passes will need to be picked up by the graduate for his/her guests, beginning April 20, 2026, from the Dispatch Office located in the Eisenhower Campus Center. They must be picked up by 7 p.m. on Friday, May 8, 2026. 

NOTE: The university-issued disability parking pass may be used both for the Candlelight Service and for the Commencement ceremony.

Special assistance on Commencement day 

Because reaching the Commencement field includes shuttle transportation and walking over outdoor pathways, we encourage guests to review the information below as they plan for the day.

Golf cart transportation: To help ensure a safe and smooth experience for all guests, golf cart transportation to the Commencement field is available in limited capacity from the following locations: 1) from the disability parking lot and 2) on a limited basis for those guests requiring mobility assistance between the parking shuttle drop point near the Covered Bridge and the ceremony site. There are no advance arrangements needed for this service. However, guests should be aware of the longer wait times coinciding with the high demand before and immediately following the ceremony, so please allow extra time in your planning.

• Due to high demand and space constraints, each guest using this service may be accompanied by one companion on the golf cart. Guests may reconnect with the rest of their party once they arrive at the Commencement field.
• For guests planning to travel to the field, please note that the route requires the ability to board and exit the shuttle bus and/or golf cart independently or with assistance from a personal companion. Transportation staff are not able to assist with boarding or unboarding.
• Golf cart service concludes at the edge of the Commencement field near Sawyer Pavilion, and guests will then need to walk to their seats. (Golf carts will not be able to access the field directly.)
• We recognize that these logistics may be challenging for some guests. Those who may not be able to navigate the transportation and walking requirements safely are warmly invited to join us via the livestream of the full Commencement ceremony, allowing you to celebrate this meaningful moment comfortably and fully.

Return shuttles

Following the conclusion of the Commencement ceremony, shuttles will run every 10-15 minutes for approximately 90 minutes following the ceremony to return guests to their vehicles from Starry Athletic Complex.

Commuter student and December graduates parking

Graduating seniors who are commuter students and December graduates participating in the Commencement ceremony may pick up a university-issued commuter parking pass at the Dispatch Office (open 24/7), located on the first floor of Eisenhower Campus Center beginning April 20, 2026, from the Dispatch Office located in the Eisenhower Campus Center. They must be picked up by 7 p.m. on Friday, May 8, 2026.

Commuters and December graduates must have a pass in order to park near Eisenhower Campus Center on Commencement day, and should arrive early on campus to avoid delays in getting to the line-up location for the ceremony.

Adult degree program graduates

Adult degree program graduates will receive their parking passes via U.S. mail at the home address they have on file with the University. These students must display their university-issued pass in order to park near Eisenhower Campus Center on Commencement day, and should arrive early on campus to avoid delays in getting to the line-up location for the ceremony. As needed, these students may also request a disability parking pass be mailed to them for their guests by calling the Messiah Box Office at 717-691-6036 beginning April 20, 2026, from the Dispatch Office located in the Eisenhower Campus Center. They must be picked up by 7 p.m. on Friday, May 8, 2026. 

NOTE: The University-issued disability parking pass may be used both for the Baccalaureate service and for the Commencement ceremony.

Restrooms

Restrooms for Commencement guests are located in the main parking lot at Starry Athletic Complex (just a short walk from the shuttle drop-off point). Additional restrooms are located in the Sawyer Pavilion adjacent to the Commencement ceremony location at Shoemaker Field (located near the disability golf cart drop off location).

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