Leaving the Den is a pathway program 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.

As part of this program, you will be recieving regular newsletters from the Center for Student Engagement which are tailored with good to knows for seniors and other valuable information designed with you in mind!

The program finishes with a pathway program checklist to complete during your spring semester. There are three main areas of this checklist which are outlined below. As you attend events and complete other items, be sure to log into EngageBSU and check them off your checklist.

Complete the checklist & get a special Commencement pin!

Your Pathway Checklist Includes:

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, complete one or more of these items 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 one or more of these items to complete this section of the Leaving the Den pathway.

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

 

Traditions - Bristaco's Bucket List

  • Bristaco's Birthday Bash

    More information to come!

  • Drag Show

    More information to come!

  • Music and Arts Festival

    More information to come!

  • Spring Carnival

    More information to come!

  • Big A$$ Bingo

    More information to come!

  • Duck Day

    More information to come!

  • Program Council's Commencement Ball

    More information to come!

Planning for the Future

  • Attend Bristaco's Grad Party.

    More information to come!

  • 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 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 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 2024 Events offered by Career Services will be posted soon!

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.

  • 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) 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. For more information, click here.

  • 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. 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.

    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.

    Lavender Graduation is BSU's annual ceremony celebrating the academic achievements of our LGBTQIA+ students graduating with either an undergraduate or a graduate degree. Each graduating student who participates in Lavender Graduation will receive a rainbow stole from members of our LGBTQIA+ Alumnx Council, and those who graduate with a GPA of 3.5 or higher will also receive a Certificate of Academic Achievement signed by President Clark. Family and friends of graduating students are encouraged to attend! 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.

  • Take your photo with President Clark on Boyden's Steps!

    More information to come!

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

    More information to come!

  • Attend the annual Impact Awards Ceremony.

    SAVE THE DATE: The Impact Awards will be held on Monday April 22, 2024. More information to come!

  • Attend Commencement.

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