Instructions for Commencement Day

Graduate Responsibilities on Commencement Day

• Arrive at your assembly location by no later than 8:15 a.m.
• Follow the line-up, processional, and recessional instructions of your academic deans, marshals and University Events staff.  
• Follow the instructions for the calling of your name as you are asked to walk across the stage.
• Wear your academic attire (gown, hood, and mortarboard) to the Commencement Ceremony. Your tassel should be on the right side.
• Wear comfortable footwear and clothing, bring sunscreen and sunglasses.  It is strongly recommended not to bring personal belongings.  
•  Once directed to your row in the graduate seating area, remain standing until the end of the Invocation.
• Graduates will be provided water and, if needed, a poncho.

If you need assistance during Commencement, please locate your dean or a University Host wearing a red St. John's shirt or a Public Safety Officer.

Calling of Names

• Graduates' names will be scrolled on the large viewing screens. As the graduate's name is announced, their name will appear on the screen and the graduate will begin to walk across the stage to greet their dean.  
• Graduates are expected to return to their seats for the remainder of the ceremony and to process out together with their fellow classmates.  

 Assembly and Line Up Locations for Graduates

• There is no rehearsal for the Commencement Ceremony.
• Each school/college lines up in a different location. See below for specific assembly locations by school/college.
• The academic deans and marshals will be in each assembly area to line up graduates in strict alphabetical order to be called by name on stage. 

8:15 a.m.
*All students must be in their assigned location

St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

• Graduate Students~ Marillac Hall, 1^st Floor Corridor
• Undergraduate Students~ Marillac Hall, 2^nd Floor Corridor

The School of Education

• All Graduates~ St. Vincent Hall, 1^st Floor Corridor

The Peter J. Tobin College of Business

• Graduate Students ~ D'Angelo Center, 2nd Floor
• Undergraduate Students~ St. Albert Hall, Basement & 1^st Floor Corridors

College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences    

• All Graduates ~St. Albert Hall, 2^nd & 3^rd Floor Corridors

College of Professional Studies

• All Graduates~ Marillac Hall, 3^rd Floor Corridor

Student Marshals and Student Medalists (Gold, VMA, OSA) Only 

8 a.m.   

• Check in with the University Events captain in Newman Hall, Room 115.  
• Once briefed in Newmall Hall, you will be directed to return to your assembly and line up area.

By 8:15 a.m.

• Check in with your deans in y our school/college assembly and line up area.

9:15 a.m. 
Student and Faculty Procession to the Great Lawn Begins 

• The academic procession will begin on either side of the Great Lawn. Students will enter through the center aisle of the graduate seating area. 
• The ceremony will officially begin as soon as all graduates and faculty have reached their seats and the members of the Presidential Party have reached the stage. 
• The schools and colleges will process in and be seated as indicated below:         
  West Side 
  ~ The School of Education 
  ~ College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
  ~ The Peter J. Tobin College of Business  
  East Side 
  ~ College of Professional Studies 
  ~ St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Seating

• Click here to view the Seating Plan

Bookstore

• The bookstore will be open on May 18 from 12 - 6 p.m. and May 19 from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.