SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2020 AT 10 A.M.
UPDATE, MARCH 17, 2020: Commencement will be suspended. We share in the disappointment this news will cause graduates and their families, and we are actively exploring alternative ways to celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates. Just because it is not scheduled to happen on May 9, doesn’t mean it’s cancelled—just postponed while we navigate these uncertain times.
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 8, at 4:30 p.m.
Please join us for the opening of the Commencement celebrations with Baccalaureate Mass on Friday, May 8, at 4:30 p.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 9 ceremony. Baccalaureate Mass and Nursing Pinning will be live on May 8. Live stream link will be posted as the event nears.
Note: Commencement will be broadcast live and available for viewing in the Alfond Center Gymnasium (no tickets required).
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 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 11.
CAP & GOWN, TICKETS
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 15 (11am-1pm) or April 16 (4-6pm) in the Alfond Center. 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 Lisa Trueworthy, Assistant to the Office of Academic Affairs (located on 4th floor of Alfond Hall Office #402).
Online graduates should apply for graduation through the Registrar’s Office and should order their caps and gowns by March 29 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 distributed to campus students at the “Senior Send Off” Fair April 15-16. 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.
Guest 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.
Additional Tickets- dates are tentative at this time.
Any campus students not expecting to use all their tickets are asked to return extra guest tickets for Commencement to the Student Activities office, by Friday, April 24.
Any additional tickets will be available on Monday, April 27, in the Student Engagement and Residential Living Office, on a first come first serve basis. There is a limit on additional tickets per student.
Online Graduates
Online graduates will have tickets mailed to them by mid-April.
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 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.
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
Lifetouch Studios, a private company, will be taking photos of the graduates as each receives his/her diploma. Graduates will receive an email directly from Lifetouch. This email will include your password for your order!
Social Media
Share your achievements with other Saint Joseph’s students, families, and alumni during Commencement by using the hashtag #SJCMEgrad on Twitter and Instagram.
Celebrate with us!
Instagram: @saintjosephscollege
Twitter: @SaintJosephsME
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. Guest 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.
HONORARY DEGREE RECIPIENTS, VALEDICTORIAN, AND ONLINE STUDENT SPEAKER
The College will announce the 2020 Honorary Degree Recipients, the Valedictorian, and the online speaker later this spring.
SCHEDULES – tentative, subject to change
Senior Class
Subject to change. There are costs for some events. Please email abigail.gummoe@sjcme.edu for more information.
Tuesday, May 5
- 7–9:30 a.m., Hot Breakfast (Pearson’s Café)
- 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m., Lunch (Pearson’s Café)
- 5–6:30 p.m., Dinner (Pearson’s Café -Thanksgiving Buffet)
- 6:30 p.m., Senior Week Evening Boat Cruise (Buses Leave Alfond Center @ 6:15 p.m.)
Wednesday, May 6
- 8–9 a.m., Hot Breakfast (Pearson’s Café)
- 9–10 a.m., Senior Breakfast, Alfond Center
- 10:00 a.m., Mohegan Sun Trip (Buses leave Alfond Center @ 10 a.m.)
- 12–1 p.m., Lunch (Pearson’s Café)
Thursday, May 7
- 8–9 a.m., Breakfast (Pearson’s Café)
- 12:30 p.m, Boxed lunches upon return at Alfond Center for seniors returning from the trip
- 12–1 p.m., Lunch (Pearson’s Café – Deli Buffet)
- 1:00 p.m., Graduation rehearsal (under the tent)
- 2:00 p.m., Nursing pinning rehearsal (under the tent)
- 6–10 p.m., Senior Ball at the Stone Barn
Friday, May 8
- 10 a.m., Senior Champagne Brunch (Pearson’s Café)
- 11 a.m.–12 p.m., Brunch (Pearson’s Café)
- 12:00 p.m., Nursing students line-up for pinning ceremony
- 12:30-2 p.m., Nursing Pinning Ceremony (under the tent)
- 3:30 p.m., Senior Class Photo in cap and gown (behind Xavier Hall)
- 4:15 p.m., Student line-up for Baccalaureate Mass processional with faculty (Alfond Center, wear cap and gown)
- 4:30–5:30 p.m., Baccalaureate Mass (under the tent)
- 5:30–6:30 p.m., Dinner, parents welcome (Pearson’s Café), free for SJC graduate, non-students cost is $14/pp, (Details coming soon)
Saturday, May 9
- Starting at 7 a.m., Continental Breakfast for College community and guests (Pearson’s Café)
- 9:15 a.m., Graduation line-up (along walk way, behind Alfond Hall, wear cap, gown and hood)
- 10 a.m.–Noon, Commencement (under the tent)
Online Students
Subject to change
Friday, May 8
- 12:00 p.m., Nursing students line-up for pinning (if participating—advance notification required)
- 12:30–2 p.m., Nursing Pinning Ceremony (under the tent)
- 2–4 p.m., Welcome Reception for Online Degree Program students and their guests – Online faculty and staff will be in attendance (at Baggot Street in Heffernan Hall)
- 4:15 p.m., Line up for Baccalaureate Mass processional with faculty (Alfond Center, wear cap and gown)
- 4:30–5:30 p.m., Baccalaureate Mass (under the tent)
Saturday, May 9
- Starting at 7 a.m., Continental Breakfast for College community and guests (Pearson’s Café)
- 8:30 a.m., Robe for Commencement
- 9:15 a.m., Line up for Commencement (along walk way, behind Alfond Hall, wear cap, gown, and hood)
- 10 a.m.–Noon, Commencement exercises (under the tent)
Events for Guests
Friday, May 8
- 10 a.m.–3 p.m., Campus Store in Alfond Center open
- 12:30–2 p.m., Nursing Pinning Ceremony (under the tent, no ticket required)
- 4:30–5:30 p.m., Baccalaureate Mass. Faculty and students will robe and march in procession. (under the tent, no ticket required)
Saturday, May 9
- Starting at 7 a.m., Continental Breakfast for College community and guests (Pearson’s Café)
- 8 a.m.–1 p.m., Campus Store in Alfond Center open (Graduation items, SJC apparel, souvenirs and alumni merchandise)
- 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)