Everything you need to know about graduation

When and where is commencement?

All ceremonies will take place on Saturday, May 23, 2026 in Lee and Penny Anderson Arena. Times will vary by major:

• 9 a.m.: Opus College of Business
• 12:30 p.m.: College of Arts & Sciences
• 3:30 p.m.: Morrison Family College of Health, School of Education and School of Engineering

Where do I get my regalia?

If you didn’t receive your regalia at GradFest, you can pick it up at the Murray-Herrick lower-level bookstore.

When do I get my tickets?

All students will receive five tickets. They will receive an email with information to claim their tickets in early May.

If you do not need all five tickets, they can be given to another graduate in the same ceremony or surrendered by this form.

If you need more tickets, you may still sign up for the last chance form for a chance to receive returned tickets.

Graduates will present their name card as their ticket. They must pick up their name card to enter the ceremony. It can be picked up in the Schoenecker Center one hour before their ceremony, or from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Final Prep Before March Out of the Arches.

Children 2+ will need a ticket.

What happens during Senior Days?

• May 11: Grad Cap Decorating & Glass Tumbler Making: 6 p.m. at the create[space]
  • Seniors may personalize their graduation cap and a glass tumbler to celebrate graduation.
• May 13, Senior Social: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Urban Growler Brewing
  • Graduates and one guest each are invited to Urban Growler Brewing for free food and drinks, a post-grad advice presentation and a raffle sponsored by U.S. Bank. 
• May 14, Senior Picnic: 5 p.m. at O’Shaughnessy Stadium
  • Enjoy food, music, and lawn games on the football field with your fellow graduating seniors.
• May 15, Tommie Fest: 5 p.m. to  8:30 p.m. in Monahan Plaza
  • All students are invited to celebrate the last day of classes with food trucks, giveaways, and live music on the quad.
• May 22, March out of the Arches Prep: 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the John Mohan Plaza
  • Seniors will pick up their name reader card for commencement, “Tommies Forever” t-shirt and class giveaways.
• May 22, March out of the Arches: 4 p.m.
• May 22, Baccalaureat and Blessing of the Graduates: 5:15 p.m. at Anderson Arena

What can I wear?

Dress Code:

• No jeans or flip-flops
• Low heels only

Regalia:

• UST-issued cap and gown
• UST-issued honor cords and medallions
• You may wear your own stole
• St. Thomas curricular and co-curricular organizations may issue a patch or pin to be worn on your stole

Prohibited elements and decorations:

• Profanity, nudity, sexual innuendos, or rude comments
• Alcohol and/or drug-related references
• Political references
• Content that advocates drug use, violence, or disruptive behavior that is detrimental to the safety and welfare of other students
• Any symbols or content that are reasonably viewed as hate speech or otherwise promote discrimination
• Any symbols or words that represent any group/organizational affiliations external to St Thomas
• Other personal adornments, hats, signs, ribbons, scarves, noise makers, battery-operated or blinking lights

Can I decorate my cap and stole? 

Yes! Students may decorate their caps and stoles, as long as it follows dress code guidelines.

Where can I watch a live stream?

Live stream links:

• 9 a.m. Undergraduate ceremony for Opus College of Business
• 12:30 p.m. Undergraduate ceremony for College of Arts and Science
• 3:30 p.m. Undergraduate ceremony for School of Education, School of Engineering, and Morrison Family College of Health

Live viewing locations:

• Opus College of Business Ceremony: Saturday, 9 a.m.
  • Owens Science Hall (OWS) First Floor 3M Auditorium
  • Schoenecker Center (SCC) 106
• College of Arts and Sciences Ceremony: Saturday, 12:30 p.m.
  • Owens Science Hall (OWS) First Floor 3M Auditorium 
  • Schoenecker Center (SCC) 106
• School of Education, School of Engineering, Morrison Family College of Health Ceremonies: Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
  • Owens Science Hall (OWS) First Floor
  • 3M Auditorium

How do I get there and where do I park?

• Metro Transit bus lines 21, 63 and 87 serve the St. Paul campus. 
• Complimentary parking will be available in the Anderson Parking Facility, Morrison Parking Ramp and all surface lots with red or yellow signs. 
• Guests may be dropped off at Anderson Arena via the turnaround off Summit Avenue between South Mississippi River Road Boulevard and Cretin Avenue.

Will there be accessibility accommodations?

• Accessible parking will be available on a first-come-first-serve basis on campus. Permits will be required for marked accessible parking spaces.
• Accessible seating will be available on a first-come-first-serve basis. There will be limited accessible seating on the main concourse, third floor and arena floor. Ushers will assist guests with accessibility needs.

Where can I find more information?

• Lee & Penny Anderson Arena Know Before You Go: A to Z Guide 
  • All guests will be subject to a bag search.
  • Only service animals will be permitted in the arena.
  • Guests may only bring sealed, bottled water of 32 ounces or less or empty plastic water bottles to be filled at water fountains inside the arena. 
• Senior Days
• 2026 Commencement

Evan Neubauer can be reached at neub6662@stthomas.edu.