Cazenovia College will be one of many local campuses where commencement ceremonies will be taking place this weekend. Roughly 220 students will be part of the college's 198th and final commencement on Saturday.

Of course, college officials announced last December that the private institution will be closing its doors following this semester due to financial issues.

The emotions will be running high on campus on Saturday. Things will be a little somber for longtime faculty and alumni as the college closes shortly after this weekend's festivities. And, yes, there will also be excitement as the graduates celebrate their accomplishments.

What You Need To Know


  • The emotions will be running high here on the Cazenovia College campus on Saturday

  • 220 students will be part of the college's 198th and final commencement

  • Students are happy they made the choice to go to Cazenovia College and are excited to move on

College President David Bergh said the graduating class has worked hard to make sure they completed the credits they needed to participate in this final commencement.

He said the faculty has particularly had a busy semester.

Not only have they had to help the class of 2023 with future plans, but they've stayed busy to help underclassmen prepare to transfer following the semester.

The college has teach-out agreements with 32 other colleges that allow students to take all their credits with them.

"I've loved spending my last four years here. It's obviously a beautiful campus and a lovely town and I'm really sad that other people won't get to experience everything we got to so I'm definitely going to miss it," said class of 2023 graduate Lexie Zaugg.

"It's definitely a bittersweet moment. It's been a long four years. I say a long four years but if I think about it, it really went by quickly. I'm definitely excited to graduate," said graduate Ibrahim Maalim.

Bergh said the students have a lot of great and supportive alumni that is always willing to help students.

There will be a student reception on campus Friday night and Saturday's commencement will take place at 10:30 a.m. The commencement ceremony will be streamed live on the school's website.

The keynote speaker will be Dr. John Robert Greene, who taught American political history on campus for 42 years before he retired in January.