At Smith's 124th commencement, 750 seniors and Ada Comstock Scholars received their bachelor's degree. They were joined by 62 graduate students who were awarded degrees in one of the following areas: Master of Education, Master of Education of the Deaf, Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Fine Arts in Dance, Diploma in American Studies, Master of Arts in Biological Sciences, Master of Arts in Music, Master of Science in Exercise and Sports Studies.

The Commencement Address was delivered by noted law professor and author Lani Guinier, who warned the students to heed the lesson of the canary, which is sent into the mine before the miners, and "to fix the atmosphere in the mines that is affecting not only the canary, but all of us."

Honorary degrees were awarded to Anita Hill; Shirley Ann Jackson, Cynthia Moss '62, Katha Pollitt,; Sima Wali, and Anne Martindell. ( View information about the honorants and the Tribute to Anne Martindell )