Celebrating together: Commencement at Saint Mary’s / Photo by Francis Tatem
Save the Date: 2026 Commencement Ceremonies on May 21 and May 22
A message to the Saint Mary's Community
Commencement is one of the most joyful moments of the year—a time when we come together to celebrate the achievements of our graduates and cheer them on as they take their next steps.
This year, we are making a meaningful adjustment to our Commencement schedule. In the past, our ceremonies have taken place on the Saturday and Sunday leading into Memorial Day. While this has been our tradition, it has also required many of our faculty and staff members to give up much of their holiday weekend in service to the College.
We also recognize that holding Commencement on the holiday weekend has created challenges for students and families—travel costs and availability, work schedules, and family observances among them.
In the spirit of respect and gratitude for all who make Commencement possible, and to better serve our graduates and their families, we are moving our 2026 ceremonies to an earlier part of the week. Please mark your calendars:
- Our Graduate and Professional Studies Ceremony will take place on Thursday, May 21, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Commencement Liturgy, a deeply valued celebration rooted in our Lasallian Catholic heritage, will be on Friday morning, May 22, from 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
- Our Undergraduate Ceremony will take place on Friday, May 22, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (followed by Grad Grounds from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.)
This adjustment is designed to benefit everyone—allowing students and families to celebrate fully and travel more easily, while enabling our faculty and staff to enjoy the full Memorial Day weekend with loved ones.
In the days leading up to Commencement, the College will also host a series of cultural and affinity celebrations that honor the diverse identities and experiences of our graduates. These special gatherings have become cherished traditions.
We look forward to honoring the Class of 2026 with the same Gael spirit and tradition of excellence that makes Commencement so special at Saint Mary’s. We will share additional details about all of our 2026 Commencement ceremonies on our Commencement website as springtime approaches.
