Commencement
Saturday, May 9, 2026, 10 a.m.
Commencement will be held outside rain or shine under a large tent. We recommend that you dress comfortably for the weather and wear shoes suitable for walking on grass.
Saint Joseph’s College is proud to be a tobacco-free campus.
Note: Pets are not allowed at commencement: only leashed service animals. Please do not leave dogs in your car.
Commencement Events Schedule and Details
Commencement events will be streamed live over the Internet for friends and family members of the graduating class who cannot attend. See links below for each event.
Baccalaureate Mass
Friday, May 8, 10:45 a.m. – LIVESTREAM LINK (TBA Soon)
Please join us for the opening of the Commencement celebrations with Baccalaureate Mass on Friday, May 8. Mass will take place outside under the tent behind the Alfond Center. Students and faculty will robe and march in procession for Mass. There will be no assigned seating for family and friends. Tickets are not required. If you have requested special needs parking for Saturday, please bring that parking pass with you to park as needed on Friday.
Nursing Pinning Ceremony
Friday, May 8, 1:30 p.m. -LIVESTREAM LINK (TBA Soon)
The Nursing Pinning Ceremony will also take place on Friday, May 8. The ceremony will take place outside under the tent behind the Alfond Center. There will be no assigned seating for family and friends. Tickets are not required. If you have requested special needs parking for Saturday, please bring that parking pass with you to park as needed on Friday.
Commencement Exercises
Saturday, May 9, 10:00 a.m. – LIVESTREAM LINK (TBA Soon)
Online Commencement Program Page (TBA Soon)
PDF Version of Commencement Program (TBA Soon)
Commencement will take place outside under the tent behind the Alfond Center. Students and faculty will robe and march in procession. If you have requested special needs parking, please bring that parking pass with you to park.
In the Event of Rain
Moving out - Saturday, May 9
Campus Safety recommends families of students who live on campus plan to start moving after 2 p.m. once campus traffic has reduced. Please be considerate of the traffic flow following the ceremony when parking and moving out of the resident halls. Graduating students will need to be out of the resident halls by 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 9.
Caps and Gowns
On-campus students must order their caps and gowns by March 8, 2026 @ 11:59 p.m. EST through https://buildagrad.com/sjc. Students can pick them up at the “Senior Send-Off Fair” – April 14 + 15 in Baggot Street. Students must have their student ID to get their cap and gown. If students are unable to attend the fair, they must pick up their regalia from Shanna Webster, Academic Center for Excellence Office (located on 3rd floor of Alfond Hall Office #327).
Online graduates should apply for graduation through the Registrar’s Office and should order their caps and gowns by March 8, 2026 @ 11:59 p.m. EST through https://buildagrad.com/sjc. Caps and gowns for online students will be shipped directly to them.
Accessibility
If you need to make arrangements for accessible parking and seating for guests with limited mobility, please make sure that your graduate completes the “Commencement Seating Form” which has an option to request accessible seating and parking. If you have any questions, you can email them to commencementsjc@sjcme.edu, no later than April 25th regarding accessible parking and seating for guests with limited mobility. Please note: Special seating is limited to the individual with the mobility issue and one family member. You will need to show your special passes.
Diplomas
Each graduate will be handed a Saint Joseph’s College ceremonial scroll during commencement. It will contain a congratulatory message instructing the graduate that their diploma will be mailed to them once they have been cleared by the Office of the Registrar and Student Accounts.
The Diploma Process
At the Ceremony: You will receive a ceremonial scroll on stage.
Official Issuance: Diplomas are issued via Parchment following Registrar and Student Account clearance.
Digital: Check your email to claim your digital credential shortly after graduation.
Physical: Verify your mailing address in the Parchment portal to receive your printed diploma (delivery in 3–4 weeks).
Questions regarding the ordering process of diplomas, contact the Office of the Registrar’s Office (207) 893-7798.
Parking
The road that the College is located on, Whites Bridge Road, can get backed up on the morning of Commencement. You could experience some delays. Be sure to give yourself enough time. We suggest that you arrive on campus as early as you can. We recommend that you arrive before 9 a.m.
Parking will be available on campus. Due to the considerable need for parking, we ask that you and your guests carpool to campus on Saturday. This will help to improve our parking and traffic situation. You will enter the campus from Whites Bridge Road. As you proceed there will be staff to show you the way. Please do not stop your car to ask questions at the entrance, as this will bring the traffic flow to a halt.
Memorabilia
Class Rings and Graduation Announcements
Graduation from college is one of the most important achievements students will experience in their lives — a milestone to share. Saint Joseph’s College and Balfour have partnered together to offer custom class rings and personalized graduation announcements. To order now, visit balfour.com or call 1-866-225-3687.
Join the tradition and order your Saint Joseph’s class ring! Show your school spirit and carry a piece of Saint Joseph’s with you wherever you go. Order by March 12th for guaranteed graduation delivery!
Campus Store
Show off your SJC pride and celebrate your graduation with some fresh gear! You can stock up on Saint Joseph’s College of Maine hoodies, t-shirts, athletics, and alumni merchandise, plus “SJC Mom and Dad” logo wear through two different channels. Our Campus Store is currently taking online orders for shipping or pickup (available the day before or morning of graduation). Additionally, our Online Pop-Up Commencement Store will be open exclusively from April 16 to April 23 with customization of “Class of 2026” on some items. Please note that all pop-up orders will ship on April 30, or they can be collected in person on the morning of commencement.
Honor Your Family
Walking across the stage at Commencement is a powerful moment for a graduate and family. Would you like to honor your family with a gift that supports students?
Commencement Photos
Photos will be taken throughout the day, including during the ceremony. Students will be notified when pictures are available.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time should guests arrive for commencement?
The Commencement ceremony begins promptly at 10 a.m. Because traffic on the road leading to campus will be heavy, we encourage guests to arrive early. We recommend that you arrive before 9 a.m. The tent is open for seating starting at 8 a.m.
How many guests may I invite?
Where should we park?
Saint Joseph’s College Campus Safety personnel will direct all guests to available parking locations on campus. Due to the large volume of vehicles expected, carpooling is strongly recommended.
How do I go about making arrangements for accessible seating and parking?
Graduates can make accessible seating and parking arrangements by completing the Commencement Seating Form which has an option to request accessible seating and parking. Please note: Special seating is limited to the individual with the mobility issue and one family member.
Will there be flowers available for purchase the morning of graduation?
Yes, Blossoms of Windham will be on campus selling flowers. You can pay with cash or electronically by Square. A table/kiosk will be setup near the entrance of the tent.
Valedictorian, Online Student Speaker, and Student Speakers
Roman Crossetti
Valedictorian, Class of 2026
Roman Crossetti is the Valedictorian for the Class of 2026 at Saint Joseph’s College of Maine. Originally from Saco, he considers Saint Joseph’s College a second home, having spent three and a half years as a student and residing on campus throughout his undergraduate experience.
During his time at Saint Joseph’s College, he was an active and engaged member of the campus community. He participated in the Honors Program, served as President of the Business Club, and worked as a Peer Tutor supporting students across 11 business courses. In December 2025, Roman earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with double majors in accounting and finance.
While he completed dual majors, his professional focus is in accounting. Roman is currently a second-year intern at Baker Newman Noyes (BNN), a Top-100 accounting firm, where he is gaining valuable experience in tax practice. He has accepted a full-time offer with BNN and will begin his professional career there in July 2026.
Committed to lifelong learning, Roman plans to pursue his CPA licensure in the state of Maine, building on the strong academic foundation he established during his time at Saint Joseph’s College.
Lauren Ramsey
Online Speaker, Class of 2017 & 2026
Lauren Ramsay is a proud native of Addison, Maine, whose passion for rural healthcare was shaped by growing up in a small coastal community. She graduated summa cum laude with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Saint Joseph’s College of Maine in 2017 and is honored to return as an alumna to complete her Master of Science in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner.
Lauren has spent nearly ten years as a registered nurse in emergency medicine and is board-certified in both emergency and trauma nursing. She began her career in rural Maine hospitals before traveling across the United States for four years as a travel nurse, caring for diverse populations and strengthening her clinical adaptability. For the past three years, she worked in Fairfax, Virginia, in the third busiest emergency department in the United States, refining her expertise in high-acuity, fast-paced care across the lifespan.
Her career in emergency medicine has shaped her ability to care for patients of all ages while reinforcing the importance of preventive health and patient education to reduce avoidable illness. As a Maine resident, Lauren understands the unique healthcare challenges faced by rural communities and recently returned home with the goal of bringing the knowledge, clinical expertise, and perspective she has gained back to the small towns that shaped her. She is deeply committed to improving access to care and empowering patients through education and prevention.
Outside of healthcare, Lauren enjoys fly fishing, spending time with family, and traveling in pursuit of new adventures.
Hon. ‘26 Saint Joseph’s College of Maine Honorary Degree Recipient
Coming soon
Schedule
Senior Class
Thursday, May 7
- 1 p.m., Graduation rehearsal (under the tent)
Friday, May 8
- 9 a.m., Champagne Brunch (Pearson’s Café)
- 10:15 a.m., Student line-up for Baccalaureate Mass processional with faculty (Alfond Center, wear cap and gown)
- 10:45 a.m., Baccalaureate Mass (under the tent)
- 11:30 a.m., Senior Class Photo (on lawn behind Xavier Hall, if raining in the gym)
- 12:00 – 1:00 p.m., Campus Tours (meet at the Alfond Center reception desk)
- 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., Nursing Pinning Ceremony (under the tent)
Saturday, May 9
- 7:30–9:30 a.m., Continental Breakfast for College Community and Guests– (Pearson’s Café)
- 8:00 – 9:30 a.m., Professional Head Shots (Alfond Center HA1 Classroom)
- 9:15 a.m., Graduation line-up (Alfond Center Gym, wear cap, gown and hood)
- 10 a.m.–Noon, Commencement (under the tent)
Online Students
Friday, May 8
- 10:30 a.m., Line up for Baccalaureate Mass processional with faculty (Alfond Center, wear cap and gown)
- 10:45 a.m., Baccalaureate Mass (under the tent)
- 12:00 – 1:00 p.m., Campus Tours (meet at the Alfond Center reception desk)
- 1:30 p.m., Nursing Pinning Ceremony (under the tent. If participating—advance notification required.)
- 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., Welcome Reception for Online Degree Program students and their guests – Online faculty and staff will be in attendance (RSVP. Reception in Baggot Street in Heffernan Hall.)
Saturday, May 9
- 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m., Continental Breakfast for College Community and Guests – (Pearson’s Café)
- 7:30 – 8:30 a.m., Robe for Commencement (Alfond Center Gym)
- 8:00 – 9:30 a.m., Professional Head Shots (Alfond Center HA1 Classroom)
- 9:15 a.m., Line up for Commencement (Alfond Center Gym, wear cap, gown, and hood)
- 10 a.m.–Noon, Commencement exercises (under the tent)
Guests
Friday, May 8
- 10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m., Baccalaureate Mass. Faculty and students will robe and march in procession. (under the tent, no ticket required)
- 12:00 – 1:00 p.m., Campus Tours (meet at the Alfond Center reception desk)
- 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., Nursing Pinning Ceremony (under the tent, no ticket required)
Saturday, May 9
- 7:30 a.m – 9:30 a.m.., Continental Breakfast for College community and guests (Pearson’s Café)
- 8 a.m., Tent open for early seating (Students may invite up to 8 guests for seating under the Commencement Tent. On-Campus Students will pick up tickets during the Senior Send-off Fair April 15th and 16th. Tickets will be mailed to online students.)
- 10 a.m.–Noon, Commencement exercises begin (outside, under the tent)
Social Media
Share your achievements with other Saint Joseph’s students, families, and alumni during Commencement by using the hashtag #SJCMEgrad on Facebook and Instagram.
Celebrate with us!
Instagram: @saintjosephscollege
Facebook: @SaintJosephsCollegeOfMaine
Getting Here
Academic Regalia
Academic hoods worn by students at Commencement represent degrees earned. The hoods are lined with the official colors (white and blue) for Saint Joseph’s College of Maine.
Master of Accountancy – Light Brown
Master of Arts – White
Master of Business Administration – Light Brown
Master of Divinity – Scarlet
Master of Health Administration – Gold
Master of Science in Education – Sky Blue
Master of Science in Nursing – Apricot
Bachelor of Arts – White
Bachelor of Science – Gold
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Light Brown
Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Apricot
Bachelor of Social Work – Citron
Academic hoods worn by faculty at Commencement are trimmed with various colors to represent degrees earned in their field of study.