As several are to be in Baccalaureate and several more of us have experienced past such days, thought a dictionary definition might be of interest.
Bac·ca·lau·re·ate:
1. the degree of bachelor conferred by universities and colleges
2. a: a sermon to a graduating class
b: the service at which this sermon is delivered
Medieval Latin baccalaureatus, from baccalaureus bachelor…First known use: circa 1649 – Merriam Webster
Baccalaureate 1620s, “university degree of a bachelor,” from M.L. baccalaureatus, from baccalaureus “student with the first degree,” altered by a play on words with bacca lauri “laurel berry” (laurels being awarded for academic success). The M.L. word perhaps ultimately is derived from L. baculum “staff” (see bacillus), which the young student might carry…more likely…re-Latinization of bachelor… In modern U.S. usage, the word usually is short for baccalaureate-sermon (1864), a religious farewell address to the graduating class. – Online Etymology Dictionary
Bac`ca*lau”re*ate , a. Pertaining to a bachelor of arts.
Baccalaureate sermon, in some American colleges, a sermon delivered as a farewell discourse to a graduating class.
Bac”ca*lau”re*ate…n. [NL. baccalaureatus, fr. LL. baccalaureus a bachelor of arts, fr. baccalarius…L. bacca lauri bayberry, from the practice of the bachelor‘s wearing a garland of bayberries. See Bachelor.]
1.The degree of bachelor of arts (B.A. or A.B.), the first or lowest academical degree conferred by universities and colleges.
2. A baccalaureate sermon. [U.S.] – Webster’s Dictionary
Separate-Holy 