Commencement Schedule of Events

6:00 p.m.

Graduate Hooding Ceremony

O’Malley McAllister Auditorium

10:00 a.m.

Champagne Brunch

The Senior Champagne Brunch is for graduates only. 

Dining Hall

3:30 p.m.

March of Light

The graduates, in academic regalia, will gather at the Benedictine “B” for the traditional photo and blessing. At 4:00 p.m., they will process up the Raven Walk, past faculty and staff, and to Mary’s Grotto, where they will place a candle. After that, they will process along the Path of Mary to the Abbey Church.

Alternate Rain Plan for Assembling for Baccalaureate Mass: In case of inclement weather, the Photo around the Benedictine “B” and the March of Light will be canceled. Graduates will assemble at 4:00 p.m. in Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel in the Abbey Church basement along the north aisle of the Chapel. Graduates will process up the west stairway entering the main Church shortly before 4:30 p.m.

The Raven Walk

4:30 p.m.

Baccalaureate Mass

Mass is being celebrated by the Most Rev. Joseph Naumann, DD, Archbishop of the Diocese of Kansas City in Kansas. There is limited seating in the main sanctuary, but there will be simulcast locations in the lower level of the Abbey Church.

St. Benedict’s Abbey Church

6:00 p.m.

President’s Reception

Immediately following Mass, graduates, along with their family, and faculty and staff are invited to be the guests of President Stephen D. Minnis and the Benedictine College Administration for the President’s Reception. This is an occasion to enjoy light refreshments and visit with family and friends as well as College personnel. Beer and wine will be available for sale.

The Murphy Recreation Center

Continental Breakfast

There will be a Continental Breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. in the Murphy Recreation Center. There is no charge for this breakfast.

Murphy Recreation Center

9:00 a.m.

Graduate Line-up

Graduates will assemble in cap and gown at 9:00 a.m. outside the Abbey Church. Graduates must pick up their reader card from college staff at the lineup. The procession begins at approximately 9:40 a.m. and will move to Ralph Nolan Gymnasium.

Alternate Rain Plan for Assembling for Commencement: In case of inclement weather, graduates will assemble at 9:00 a.m. in the Old Gym in the Haverty Center and will process quickly across into the St. John Paul II Student Center and into the Nolan Gym. Reader cards will be available in the Old Gym.

10:00 a.m.

Commencement

Commencement will be in the Ralph Nolan Gymnasium. Your guests will need to show their tickets at the door to enter the Ralph Nolan Gymnasium. For guests who cannot come to campus for Commencement or who cannot attend in person in the gym, there will be multiple livestream and simulcast options.

Note: Graduates will only receive diploma folders during the ceremony. All diplomas will be distributed by our vendor, Parchment, and graduates will receive their diplomas by mail approximately two weeks after the ceremony. Digital versions of the diploma will be available that day for posting on social media.

Ralph Nolan Gymnasium