Leaving the Den

A Pathway for Graduating Seniors @ BSU

Leaving the Den is a pathway for graduating seniors to help you reflect on your time at Bridgewater State University and prepare for your next steps in life. The pathway aims to do this by celebrating your accomplishments and providing space for you to prepare for the transition to the next chapter of your story.

There are three main areas of this pathway program, outlined below. As you attend events, be sure to log into EngageBSU and check them off your checklist.

Complete the checklist & get a special Commencement pin!

Your Pathway includes 3 parts:

Get the most out of your last semester’s traditions!

Savor these moments! Join your peers and participate in your last Bristaco's Bucket List. Attend one or more of these signature events to complete this section of the Leaving the Den pathway.

Planning for the future!

What comes next? To complete this section of the Leaving the Den pathway, attend two or more of these events which are focused on preparing you for life after BSU.

Celebrate!

You're almost there! Take time to celebrate all you have accomplished. Check off two or more of these items to complete this section of the Leaving the Den pathway.

See the full schedule of events below!
More events and opportunities will be added throughout the semester!

Commencement 2023
Have Questions about Commencement? Be sure to check out Graduation Central!

Traditions - Bristaco's Bucket List

  • Bristaco's Birthday Bash

    Bristaco's Annual Birthday Bash will be held on Wednesday March 15th 7-10pm in the RSU Ballroom. We hope to see you there!

  • Drag Show

    The Annual Drag Show will take place on Thursday March 23rd beginning at 5pm in the RSU Auditorium. We hope to see you there!

  • Music and Arts Festival

    The Annual Music and Arts Festival will take place on Saturday April 1st 1-6pm in University Park. We hope to see you there!

  • Spring Carnival

    The Annual Spring Carnival will take place on Monday April 17th beginning at 10am on Moakley Lot. We hope to see you there!

  • Big A$$ Bingo

    Big A$$ Bingo will be held on Wednesday April 26th 7-10pm (location to be determined). We hope to see you there!

  • Duck Day

    Our Annual Duck Day will take place across the campus on Monday May 1st. We hope you will join in on the fun!

  • Program Council's Commencement Ball

    Our Annual Program Council Commencement Ball for seniors will take place on Friday April 28th 6-11pm at Avenir in Walpole, MA. We hope to see you there!

Planning for the Future

  • Attend Bristaco's Grad Party.

    Our first annual Bristaco's Grad Party will be held on Tuesday February 7th 11am to 3pm in the RSU Ballroom. Come get a professional headshot and learn more from campus partners regarding building your post-grad plans!

  • If you are an international student, be sure to be in touch with International Student and Scholar Services.

    You can learn more about how to get in touch with International Student and Scholar Services here.

  • If you are interested in post-grad options abroad, be sure to get in touch with our Study Abroad Office.

    You can learn more about the Study Abroad office and how to get in touch with them here.

  • Watch this video created by BSU's Student Wellness team about navigating healthcare after graduation.

    Video coming soon!

  • Attend one or more Graduate Studies information sessions.

    You can learn more about Graduate Admissions and see when their information sessions are here.

  • Attend one or more of the spring 2023 events sponsored by the Martin Institute for Social Justice.

    Learn more about the Martin Richard Institute for Social Justice here. To view their upcoming events, click here.

  • Attend one of the Financial Literacy After College sessions.

    These sessions aim to prepare you to begin to think about finances after college. Come learn about budgeting skills, loan repayment options, and more! Attend one of the following sessions:

    • Tuesday April 4th 12:30-1:30pm RSU201 Council Chambers
    • Tuesday April 11th 3:30-4:30pm Weygand 1047

  • Attend one or more wellness coaching sessions.

    Wellness Coaching is a new service Student Wellness will be launching after spring break. Click here for more information and to sign up today!

  • Meet with a Career Counselor for an appointment or attend on of Career Services' signature spring events.

    To learn more about Career Services, visit their website. Call 508-531-1328 or email careerservices@bridgew.edu set up an appointment.

    Signature Spring 2023 Events for Career Services include:

    • BSU Practice Interview Program (PIP) - Tuesday March 28th 1-5pm (half-hour timeslots)
    • BSU Job & Internship Fair – April 6th 11am-2pm
    • BSU Education Career Fair – Wednesday May 3rd from 4-6pm

Celebrate!

  • Pick up your cap and gown.

    For information regarding picking up your cap and gown, please visit Graduation Central.

  • Pick up any special cords, stoles, or pins you qualify to wear at Commencement.

    Be sure to contact your department or organization's lead to inquire about any special cords, stoles, or pins for Commencement.

    For more information regarding these items, please visit Graduation Central.

  • Attend a cap decorating event sponsored by Program Council.

    More event details coming soon!

  • Register for your Commencement tickets.

    For information regarding tickets for Undergraduate Commencement, please visit Graduation Central.

  • Attend one or more of the StARS Symposium Sessions

    Student Arts and Research Symposium (StARS), April 27-28, 2023, is BSU's largest academic event. Posters, talks, art exhibits and performances in-person in the RSU grand ballroom and meeting rooms, and/or online in the ForagerOne Symposium platform.

  • Attend the Honors Graduation Celebration.

    The Honors Program will recognize seniors graduating with Honors in the Core, Departmental Honors, or Commonwealth Honors distinctions at our Honors Graduation Celebration on Thursday, April 20, 2023. A save-the-date will be sent via email in February and an invitation with additional details in March. Graduating honors students who have questions can contact us at HonorsProgram@bridgew.edu or 508-531-1378. (Please note that Latin Honors graduation distinctions are separate from those given by the BSU Honors Program.)

  • Attend the Kente Clothe Celebration.

    The Kente Cloth ceremony will be held on Friday, May 5, 2023, from 6:00-8:00pm in the RSU Auditorium. We hope to see you there!

    Kente cloth is a traditional cloth of the Ashanti people of Ghana, West Africa. The Ashanti people wear stoles made from Kente cloth at formal celebrations; much like Western culture wear tuxedos and evening gowns. The Kente cloth stole has become a symbol representing both diversity and unity among students of color at universities across the nation. In keeping with themes of diversity and inclusivity, we decided to capture all of the ethnicities, and the multiple identities that constitute our student body, in one stole. The Lewis and Gaines Center for Inclusion and Equity is offering stoles that reflect the following ethnicities: African American, Latino, Asian, Native American, and a Multicultural stole. All stoles represent the Bridgewater State University and are adorned with a crest signifying Knowledge, Lifelong Education and continued Quest for Knowledge.

  • Attend the Lavender Graduation Ceremony.

    Our annual spring ceremony celebrating our LGBTQIA+ students and their allies who are graduating that Spring, Summer, or the previous December. This is open to undergraduate and graduate students. This year our Lavender Graduation will be held on Monday May 1st in the RSU Ballroom. If you have any questions, please reach out to the Pride Center via email at GLBTA@bridgew.edu or via phone at 508-531-1408.

  • Attend the Commencement Celebration sponsored by the President's Office.

    More event details coming soon!

  • Attend the Annual Impact Awards Ceremony.

    This year's Impact Awards will take place on Wednesday April 19th.  More details to be determined. We hope to see you there!

  • Attend Commencement.

    Undergraduate Commencement will take place at Gilette Stadium on Satuday May 13th.

    You can always visit Graduation Central for more information about this event!

Remember to Track Your Progress in Engage BSU to earn your special Commencement Pin!

    EnGageBSU