Saturday, May 13, 10 a.m.

Graduates lined up outside before processing into the Commencement tent.
Male graduate smiles for the camera.
Female graduates
A group of Master of Business Administration graduates.
A female graduate and her family after the ceremony.
A male graduate wears 2023 sunglasses.
An online graduate walks back to her seat after receiving her diploma.
Happy graduate and a family member
A graduate gets congratulated by his grandparents.
A group of male undergraduates before the ceremony.

We hired photographers to capture some wonderful photos of Commencement. Please click on the buttons below to view and purchase their photos of your graduation.

→ Download Commencement Program

Did you miss Commencement? Watch the Ceremony below.


Baccalaureate Mass (10:45 a.m.) + Nursing Pinning  (1:30 p.m.) → https://vimeo.com/event/3356022

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.

Baccalaureate Mass

Friday, May 12, 10:45 a.m.

Please join us for the opening of the Commencement celebrations with Baccalaureate Mass on Friday, May 12 at 10:45 a.m. Mass will take place outside under the tent.

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.

Live Stream of Commencement Exercises

Commencement exercises will be streamed live over the Internet for friends and family members of the graduating class who cannot attend the May 13 ceremony. Baccalaureate Mass and Nursing Pinning will be live on May 12.

Note: Commencement will be broadcast live and available for viewing in the Alfond Center Gymnasium (no tickets required).

Moving out - Saturday, May 13

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 13.

Caps and Gowns

On-campus students must order their caps and gowns by March 1 through https://buildagrad.com/sjc. Students can pick them up at the “Senior Send-Off Fair” on April 11 + April 12 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 #325).

Online graduates should apply for graduation through the Registrar’s Office and should order their caps and gowns by March 1 through https://buildagrad.com/sjc. Caps and gowns for online students will be shipped directly to them.

Tickets

Only guests with tickets will be admitted into graduation. Please make sure to have your tickets in hand.

On-Campus Graduates

Graduation tickets will be also be distributed to campus students at the “Senior Send Off” Fair (April 11-12). Students MUST present a proper ID to receive tickets (SJC Student ID is accepted). If students are unable to pick up tickets at the fair, tickets are available in the Registrar’s Office following the fair.

Each campus student will receive a limited amount of guest tickets for seating under the Commencement Tent.

Guests without tickets are welcome to watch the ceremony at the satellite viewing in the Alfond Center Gymnasium. No limit to guests in this area and no tickets are required.

Children under the age of four (4) don’t need tickets, if they are going to share a seat with an adult.

Online Graduates

Online graduates will have tickets mailed to them by mid-April.

Diplomas

Each graduate will be handed a Saint Joseph's College diploma cover during the ceremony. It will contain a blank diploma with 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.

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

Class rings from BalfourGraduation from college is one of the most important achievements students will experience in their life — 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 13th for guaranteed graduation delivery!

Campus Store

SJC hoodieBuy your graduate - or yourself - some SJC swag. We've got hoodies, t-shirts, pennants, alumni merchandise, SJC mom and dad shirts and more. We're taking online orders for graduation that can be picked up either the day before graduation or graduation morning.

→ Place an order online

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?

→ Honor your family

Commencement Photos

Barksdale Photo, a private company, will be taking photos of the graduates as each receives his/her diploma. Graduates will receive an email directly from Barksdale Photo. This email will include your password for your order!

Frequently Asked Questions

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. For guests with tickets, the tent is opened for seating starting at 8 a.m.

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.

Yes, tickets are required for guests to be seated under the tent for the Commencement ceremony. The seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests without tickets are welcome to watch the ceremony at the satellite viewing in the Alfond Center Gymnasium.

Contact the Office of the Registrar at 207-893-7796 no later than April 27th 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.

Yes, flowers will be available for purchase the morning of graduation. A table/kiosk will be setup near the entrance of the tent.

Valedictorian, Online Student Speaker, and Student Speakers

The College is please to announce the Samual Randall as the 2023 valedictorian, and Paige Yontz as the online student speaker.

Sam Randall, elementary education, valedictorian class of 2023

Sam Randall
Elementary Education
Valedictorian

Sam grew up in the small town of Pownal, Maine. He attended Freeport High School and graduated in 2019.

After high school, he started at Saint Joe’s with a degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Math. He didn’t always know what he wanted to be in this profession. In the beginning of high school, Sam wanted to pursue a career in computer science. However, his opinion changed over time, and he realized he wanted to teach.

At college, Sam participated in the Student Education Association of Maine (SEAM), where education students do service projects and events for the students in our community.

When he’s not busy with classes or homework, Sam loves to take Tae Kwon Do, which he’s been doing for ten years. He is also into music: he plays the drum set and piano, and experiments with music production. Sam enjoys fishing, basketball, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.

After college, Sam plans to start a teaching career in Maine. His goal is helping the next generation succeed and prepare for the future.

Paige Yontz 23, Master of Health Administration, online student speaker

Paige Yontz
Master of Health Administration
Online Student Speaker

Born and raised in a suburb of Des Moines, Iowa, Paige is what many would consider a Midwest girl. Paige received her B.A. from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, with double majors in Accounting and Business Management. During her time at Luther, she played NCAA DIII Volleyball, where she served as the captain of the team her senior year. In addition to volleyball, she was also a research assistant in the business department, exploring pricing trends in higher education and worked as a teaching assistant for an accounting data systems class.

Following her time at Luther, Paige went on to obtain her license as a nursing home administrator in the state of Wisconsin, which brought her here to St. Joseph's when the state required specific course work for licensure eligibility. After obtaining her license, Paige was relocated to Indiana where she oversaw an 80-bed skilled nursing facility and a 55-bed assisted living. After serving as an administrator, Paige returned to central Iowa and transitioned to a primary care setting with The Iowa Clinic where she served as a Practice Manager for two of their family medicine clinics. From there, she applied her aptitude for regulatory comprehension and implementation and served as the Compliance Development Manager for Wolfe Eye Clinic where she initiated a corporate compliance program in a multi-location ophthalmology clinic.

Looking for a way to stay engaged with seniors following her departure from long-term care, Paige found herself stepping into a new role as the State Advocacy Manager for AARP Iowa. Today, Paige works alongside Representatives and Senators at both the state and federal level to advocate for legislation that protects, uplifts, and supports older Iowans. Paige will receive her Master of Health Administration this term and is eager to continue her journey in public policy within the aging space. Someday, Paige would love to take her professional experience and education to the classroom and become a professor.

In addition, the following senior students will offer reflections during Commencement:

  • Maria Perez, a double major in Human Resource Management and Marketing
  • Adam Martin, a double major in Psychology and Criminal Justice
  • Amaya Dacier, Social Work.

Schedule

Thursday, May 11

  • 1:00 p.m., Graduation rehearsal (under the tent)

Friday, May 12

  • 9:30–10:30 a.m. Champagne Brunch (Pearson’s Café)
  • 10:30 a.m., Student line-up for Baccalaureate Mass processional with faculty (Alfond Center, wear cap and gown)
  • 10:45–11:45 a.m., Baccalaureate Mass (under the tent)
  • 11:45 a.m.–12:00 p.m., Senior Class Photo (on lawn behind Xavier Hall)
  • 1:30–3 p.m., Nursing Pinning Ceremony (under the tent)

Saturday, May 13

  • 7:30–9:30 a.m., Continental Breakfast for College Community and Guests– (Pearson’s Café)
  • 9:15 a.m., Graduation line-up (along the walkway, behind Alfond Hall, wear cap, gown and hood)
  • 10 a.m.–Noon, Commencement (under the tent)

Friday, May 12

  • 10:30 a.m., Line up for Baccalaureate Mass processional with faculty (Alfond Center, wear cap and gown)
  • 10:45–11:45 a.m., Baccalaureate Mass (under the tent)
  • 1:30–3 p.m., Nursing Pinning Ceremony (under the tent. If participating—advance notification required.)
  • 3:30–5 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 13

  • Starting at 7:30 a.m., Continental Breakfast for College community and guests (Pearson’s Café)
  • 7:30 - 8:30 a.m., Robe for Commencement (Alfond Hall, rooms 110 for online undergraduate-level students and 116 for online graduate-level students)
  • 9:15 a.m., Line up for Commencement (along the walkway, behind Alfond Hall, wear cap, gown, and hood)
  • 10 a.m.–Noon, Commencement exercises (under the tent)

Friday, May 12

  • 10:45–11:45 a.m., Baccalaureate Mass. Faculty and students will robe and march in procession. (under the tent, no ticket required)
  • 1:30–3 p.m., Nursing Pinning Ceremony (under the tent, no ticket required)

Saturday, May 13

  • Starting at 7:30 a.m., Continental Breakfast for College community and guests (Pearson’s Café)
  • 8 a.m., Tent open for early seating (ticket required)
  • 10 a.m.–Noon, Commencement exercises begin (outside, under the tent, ticket required)
  • 10 a.m.–Noon, Commencement exercises broadcast and available for viewing in the Alfond Center Gym (no ticket required)

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 at today’s Commencement are trimmed with velvet of various colors to represent degrees earned in the following fields of study:

White • Arts, Letters, Humanities
Light Brown • Business Administration, Management
Crimson • Communications, Journalism
Midnight Blue • Criminal Justice
Light Blue • Education
Dark Brown • Fine Arts
Purple • Law
Lemon Yellow • Library Science
Green • Medicine
Pink • Musical Arts
Apricot • Nursing
Dark Blue • Philosophy
Sage Green • Physical Science
Dark Blue • Political Science
Peacock Blue • Public Service
Golden Yellow • Science
Citron • Social Work
Scarlet • Theology

The hoods are lined with the official color or colors of the institution that conferred the degree. Saint Joseph’s College graduates wear white and blue.